Israel Education for Teens

“Let’s Talk About Israel” is a course offered for 8th-12th graders at Judea Reform. The conversation about Israel is complex and emotionally charged. We aim to give our students a historical understanding focused on multiple narratives in and out of the Jewish community so they can feel supported and confident creating their own authentic connections and opinions about Israel. We also hope this class will become a space where students feel safe bringing their own experiences and questions, knowing this time is especially difficult. This course has three guiding Jewish values:

• Bina/understanding: The word bina in Hebrew translates to understanding. It is often connected to the value of chochma/wisdom. Bina is about understanding knowledge, growing in our understanding of the world around us, but more wholly is about understanding ourselves and other human beings. The word bina is connected to the Hebrew word “to build,” emphasizing that a central piece of understanding is that it is ever growing, expanding, and changing. This course is meant to help our students develop a foundational understanding- of the context and the people.
• Achrayut/responsibility: The word for responsibility in Hebrew is achrayut, which comes from the root acher, meaning “other.” The core belief within this is the moral commitment we all have to those who are not us; other Jews, other people, other beings. The emphasis is on being responsible for our actions, and having a role in the larger community to strive for goodness. This value is twofold in this curriculum. First, as teachers, we have a responsibility to provide our students with a full and meaningful education. Secondly, I hope that this course instills a sense of responsibility in our students; responsibility towards self-determination for the Jewish people and all peoples. 
• Chesed/kindness: The word kindness does not fully encompass the Jewish value of chesed. Chesed is a deeply felt and embodied practice of goodness, the choice to act kindly to all without expectation of reward. This is one of the most significant commandments; through all legal codes and commentary, we are obligated to act with chesed towards all of humanity. When teaching about Israel, in a world that continues to become more cruel, it is imperative that we model and teach chesed. This should be reflected within the class; how students treat each other, their teachers, the material they are learning. It should also encourage our students to act with chesed when approaching this subject outside of the classroom; those they agree and disagree with. 

This course will have eight classes:

• October 20, 12:30 pm Session One: Bringing ourselves into the conversation
  In this class we will give students the opportunity to share how Israel has appeared in their lives in the last year. We will share connections and questions and concerns, hoping to ground ourselves in Jewish values and create a safe community for learning. 
• November 17, 12:30 pm Session Two: Israel in Jewish Memory
  Israel appears in many Jewish texts throughout history. In this class we will explore liturgy, Torah, and historical texts that mention returning to the land of Israel. 
• December 15, 12:30 pm Session Three: Pre-State Zionism(s)
  This class will look at the variety of ways that Jews constructed their visions of a Jewish state. We will look at primary sources and discuss where we align and where we do not. 
• January 19, 12:30 pm Session Four: 1948 -  Independence/Nakba
  The year of the State of Israel’s founding is viewed differently through Israeli and Palestinian perspectives. In this class we will examine dual narratives on the State’s founding. 
• February 16, 12:30 pm Session Five: 1967 - The West Bank
  In this class we will continue our dual narrative exploration, focusing on the events of the six day war, and the evolving reality of the West Bank. 
• March 16, 12:30 pm Session Six: Peace Initiatives
  Throughout its history Israel has been engaged in a variety of peace talks and initiatives. We will explore a few of these historical moments together along with learning about how the Israeli government functions. 
• April 20, 12:30 pm Session Seven: October 7th and all the days following
  How has Israel changed since October 7th? What is the reality for Israelis and Palestinians on the ground? We will discuss these questions and more as we reckon with this day of trauma. 
• May 18, 12:30 pm Session Eight: On and Off the Ground Voices
  Israeli society is not a monolith, neither is Palestinian society. In this class we will explore the many voices on and off the ground pushing for a different reality in the holy land. We will end with some reflections on the learning we did together. 

Please feel free to reach out with any questions you might have to
Rabbi Bender: rabbibender@judeareform.org
Michelle Crosbie: mcrosbie@judeareform.org

We will also soon be scheduling an informational zoom call.