Mock Interview with Theodor Herzl

We had a practice interview with Theodor Herzl, known as the father of modern Zionism. Through this interview we learned how to conduct an interview and what questions to ask. We also learned how to carry out a conversation and how to prepare for an interview.

Brooke: Where  and when were you born?

Theodor Herzl: I was born in Pest, Hungary on May 2nd , 1860.

Esther: Have you always lived in Pest, Hungary?


TH: No, I spent some time in Edlach, Hungary as well. Something else to note, was that in WWI Hungary became Austria-Hungary.

Brooke: What is your view on Judaism?

TH: I am an Ashkanzi Jew.

Brooke: What was your job?

TH: I was an Austria-Hungarian journalist.

Brooke: What was the Uganda Project?

TH: It was the original plan to place the Jews in Russia as their homeland, although this plan fell through and instead Israel became the Jewish homeland.

Brooke: Is it true you changed your name?

TH: Yes, my name was originally Benjamin Ze'ev Herzl.

Esther: What is your goal by believing in Zionism? 

TH: As stated in my novel Der Juden Staat (The Jewish State), Zionism is the belief that the Jews should have a place to call their homeland, which has become Israel. The goal of Zionism is to have a Jewish homeland.

Although Theodor Herzl passed away in 1904, the mock interview was a way to learn about interviewing so we will be prepared for live interviews in the future.