Like the 19th-century novel, traditional historical writing proceeds in a strict chronological sequence or starts at the end, with a tragic or joyous event, followed by a teleological account of how that event came to pass. In our own time, literature and film routinely problematize beginnings and endings by moving back and forth in time. Should historians of nations and states follow suit? Should we continue to scale up from the individual to the nation, writing of birth, growth, decay, and death? Or should we rethink what we mean by beginnings and endings, and thereby the idea of history itself?
The 50th anniversary issue of the Journal of Israeli History is dedicated to beginnings and endings in the history of Zionism and the state of Israel. We seek proposals spanning politics, society, law, the economy, the environment, literature, and the arts. Biographical approaches are welcome. We are looking for stories of origins, overtures, and geaneologies, on the one hand, and finales, turning points, and transitions, on the other. We are seeking innovative approaches, untold histories, and new periodizations.
Please send abstracts of 250-400 words to Prof. Orit Rozin (oritr@tauex.tau.ac.il) by May 15, 2019;
Final submission of articles is due by January 1st, 2020.