The word “Zionism” isn’t a statement of fact; it’s not a purely objective description of one’s opinion on Israel. The word “Zionism” is aspirational. In describing ourselves as Zionists, we capture millennia of hopes and dreams and visions for our people’s future while holding tightly to the memory of a dark and devastating past. The word “Zionist” means someone who understands that Israel is a goal, a miracle; someone who aims to preserve that miracle so that future generations may enjoy the richness, vibrance, memory, and futurity that our homeland promises.