"I have heared this a great deal but I have not really had this explained in any way other than a bit like britain. However how does that play into those in the jewish diaspra who are out side of Israel and have never lived there. Given that a nation only has a geographical outline how can one remain part of this nation."

The general idea is that all Jews are part of one great nation, no matter where they are in the world. Whilst it may be the inherent traditions and customs of the religion that is the common ground amoungst all Jews around the world, it is not the religion that for me makes me part of these people or nation. It is much more of a feeling of being apart of something greater than that.

For instance, I know that whereever I will go in the world, I will always have a place of local shelter or a meal with the local Jewish community. It is knowing that I can make some stupid Jewish joke that only Jews really understand. It's knowing that I have a common language with my people whether inside or outside Israel. In essence it's like feeling like apart one huge family - the nation of Judaism.

This is of course not unique just to Judaism. Take a French person for instance. They too may seek out a fellow French community in other parts of the world. They may make a French joke that only French people would understand. They too have a language that only they will understand.

Just like the French have a homeland in France Jews too have longed for a homeland for 1000's of years. Eventually that homeland came about despite 2 thousand years of being spread out over the whole place.

To me that is what Zionism is all about - the ingathering of my 'family' to Israel. To me its placing my family into my home.