“The idea of Jews as a people—and their connection to the land of Israel—goes back to Abraham. Throughout the five thousand years of Jewish history, "Eretz Yisrael," the land of Israel, has been central to the Jewish people. Even when all the Jews were not living on the land, they defined themselves by that land, considering themselves to be in exile from their homeland.” IsraelJewish People Book:Rekindling the Torch: The Story of Canadian Zionism Source: Rekindling the Torch: The Story of Canadian Zionism