Theodor herzls the jewish state

David Matlow’s fascination with Theodor Herzl began with seeing a portrait of the founder of Zionism in his grandparents’ living room in Ramat Gan, Israel.

Archie and Goldie Matlow had lived Herzl’s dream, moving there from Toronto in 1954, and young David found himself fascinated by the bearded, determined-looking man in the picture.

After his grandmother died in 1991, David asked for the portrait — but he didn’t stop there.

The “All About Herzl” exhibition currently running at the Bernard Museum at New York’s Temple Emanu-El is about more than just the history of the father of modern, political Zionism — It’s about a hero who fought for the Jewish community, a role model who strived for social justice, and a visionary who believed in a better future for everyone, says Matlow, law partner at Goodmans LLP in Toronto and immediate past chair of the Jewish Foundation of Greater Toronto.

“What inspires me to do this is because Herzl had an idea and ma