Why Israel? - Session 01 - The Founding of the State of Israel
Brief
In this introductory discussion, chanichim will share their impressions and understanding of Israel as they explore the geography of the country and the reasons it holds a special place for Jews around the world.
Equipment
Resource: Appendix I
Activity length: 45 minutes
Age Groups
Elementary, Middle School
Topics
Zionism
Shabbat Apropriate
Download for Printing
Program
The madrich/a should begin this session with a discussion. The following open ended questions should be utilized in order to encourage chanichim to share their own ideas and feelings about Israel.
Who has been to Israel?
If you’ve been there: What is the most powerful image or experience you carry with you from that trip? How does that influence your feeling of connection to the country or the land?
If you haven’t been there yet, what do you expect you’ll feel when you arrive for the first time? Do you expect you’ll feel any differently about Israel after you experience the country than you do now?
What role does Israel play in your family’s life?
Do you have friends or relatives who live there?
Did your parents spend any significant amount of time there?
Do your parents work or volunteer on behalf of organizations that help Israel?
Do you ever talk about Israel with your parents or other relatives? If so, what kinds of conversations do you have?
After establishing the groups’ personal connections to Israel (and taking care to include those whose connections are less obvious or prominent), zoom out and ask the group to take a look at the Jewish people’s relationship to Israel through history and today:
Why do we Jews care about Israel?
What right do we have to the Land of Israel?
Ask chanichim if they can think of any Biblical passages that relate to Israel and the Jewish people’s connection to the land or the country. If they offer any, discuss the context for the passage briefly and ask the group to reflect on the significance, if any, that they ascribe to the passage.
Next, divide the group into 3-5 sub-groups and give each group one of the passages enclosed in [RESOURCE 1]. Ask the sub-groups to read their passages and discuss them briefly before the entire group reconvenes. Each group will appoint two people to present their passage. One will read it to the class in Hebrew and English, and the second will summarize the group’s reflections.
Sikkum discussion points
Think about the different notions of connectedness that were mentioned in the discussion. What do they have in common? How are they different?
Do the Biblical passages speak to you? Does it make a difference that they have been read and followed by millions of Jews over thousands of years?
End by telling the group that this series of lessons and activities will provide lots of opportunities to delve into the big picture of the connection between Jews and Israel, as well as their own personal connections and what those connections mean to each of us.
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