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Israel Zangwill (1864-1926) was a British author at the forefront of cultural Zionism during the 19th and 20th centuries, playing a pivotal role in advocating for Jewish resettlement in Palestine. A novelist, playwright, and essayist, Zangwill was born in London to Jewish immigrants from the Russian Empire, a background which deeply influenced his writings. His expertise in depicting Jewish life and traditions in an English literary context is best exemplified in his most famous work, 'Children of the Ghetto: A Study of a Peculiar People' (1892), which delves into the lives of Jews in London's East End, bringing forth the struggles and cultural nuances of the immigrant community. Considered a social realist, his literary style often employed humor and irony to critique the social and political conditions of his time, particularly those affecting the Jewish diaspora. Zangwill's works contributed greatly to the understanding of the Jewish experience in the English-speaking world and remain of historical significance for their portrayal of Victorian Jewish communities. His intellectual legacy includes not only his literary achievements but also his influential role in the Jewish Territorialist movement, which sought to establish a homeland for the Jewish people.
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