Identity

Gat Brothers - Happiness

By viewing the Gat brothers' performance on Israel’s “Rising Star” TV show, students will identify how these two performers embody the Jewish value of happiness through personal satisfaction. $0.00$0.00The Gat Brothers - Happiness by Alexandra Fleksher  Quantity Lesson Summary:  ·     1.   Students will define the term “happiness.” ·     2.   Students will identify times and situations in their lives when they feel happy. ·     3.   Students will identify how the Gat brothers, while performing on stage, embody the value of happiness. ·      4.  Students will explore Jewish texts that provide a deeper understanding of the term “happiness.” Printable Lesson:  The Gat Brothers - Happiness Lesson Plan.pdf

Aly Raisman: Jewish Olympic Champion

Aly didn't just earn a gold medal with her extraordinary floor exercise routine at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London. When she saluted her heritage by tumbling to the tune of Hava Nagila, she also won a place in the hearts of Jewish people everywhere. $0.00$0.00By Yaffa Klugerman   Knowing she is being watched by tens of millions of viewers, Olympic gymnast Aly Raisman raises her right hand to her left shoulder, and waits for the music to begin. As the first notes sound, she twists, raises her arms, and starts her first tumbling run. By the time she reaches the other side of the mat six seconds later, her body has turned over in the air an astonishing seven times, and has landed solidly with remarkable grace. The crowd goes wild—and Aly has only begun to perform.   Quantity Lesson Summary:  Students will learn that everyone, even an Olympic champion like Aly Raisman, gets nervous before a public performance. Students will then review some tips for effective public speaking and practice performing in public by speaking about a random topic for one minute in front of the class. Printable Lesson:  Lesson Plan and Handouts Additional Resources:  Additional Resources to Supplement This Lesson Search “Lenny” for an interview with Olympic swimmer Lenny Krayzelburg (includes lesson plan). Search “Arik” for an interview with Israeli Olympic judoka Arik Ze’evi (includes lesson plan). Search “Denning” for an interview with Jewish NASCAR driver Jon Denning (includes lesson plan). Search "Veingrad" for a video about former NFL player Alan Veingrad (includes lesson plan).

NYU Ladino Documentary

In this lesson, students will learn about Ashkenazi, Sephardi, and Mizrahi Jews by listening to their music, tasting their spices, and looking at visual examples of their culture. This stand-alone lesson can be done on its own, or part of a larger unit on Jews of the world or on Jewish music. $0.00$0.00A short documentary made up of still images for Endangered Langauges course. Ladino is a language that was first spoken by Jews in medeival Spain. Quantity Lesson Summary:  Students will learn about Ashkenazi, Sephardi, and Mizrahi Jews by listening to their music, tasting their spices, and looking at visual examples of their culture. This stand-alone lesson can be done on its own, or part of a larger unit on Jews of the world or on Jewish music. Printable Lesson:  Ladino Documentary Lesson Plan.pdf

Israel Celebrates Ethiopian Jewish Holiday

For 1500 years, Beta Israel held onto their Jewish traditions in Ethiopia, praying on the Sigd holiday to one day return to Jerusalem. This year, Israel celebrates with them. By Sara Sorcher $0.00$0.00In this lesson, students will learn or review the origins of Jewish holidays and will be introduced to Sigd, an Ethiopian Jewish holiday. Quantity Lesson Summary:  Students will categorize each Jewish holiday as either Biblical, Rabbinic, or modern in origin. Then students will learn about Sigd through a video and Jewish text study. Finally, students will be asked to categorize Sigd as either Biblical, Rabbinic, or modern in origin in order to add it to their chart of Jewish holidays. Printable Lesson:  Lesson Plan

Purim Palindrome Poem

Explore the concept of heroism through a palindrome poem for Purim from Esther's piont of view. The first half of the palindrome poem takes a negative stance, expressing Esther's lack of faith in God and disbelief that she can actually help the Jewish people. The second half of the poem is in the reverse. Esther states that God will save the Jewish people and that she is willing to sacrifice her life for the Jews. In the lesson plan, students will explore the concept of v’nahafokh hu (reversal) as it relates to the Purim story and the poem $0.00$0.00Explore the concept of heroism and reversal through a palindrome poem for Purim from Esther's piont of view. The first half of the palindrome poem takes a negative stance, expressing Esther's lack of faith in God and disbelief that she can actually help the Jewish people. The second half of the poem is in the reverse. Esther states that God will save the Jewish people and that she is willing to sacrifice her life for the Jews.  Quantity Lesson Summary:  Students will contrast the two different attitudes expressed in the poem, explore the concept of v’nahafokh hu (reversal) as it relates to the Purim story and the poem, and analyze sources on the concept of heroism, connecting them to Esther. Printable Lesson:  Purim Palindrome Lesson Plan.pdf

What's in a Name? A Purim Lesson Plan

Many Jews have both a Hebrew name and a name in the spoken language of the country they live in. We even find biblical characters with names in different languages. Students will study Esther and her two names as a way to explore how our different names relate to identity. $0.00$0.00Many Jews have both a Hebrew name and a name in the spoken language of the country they live in. We even find biblical characters with names in different languages. Students will study Esther and her two names as a way to explore how our different names relate to identity. Students will also study a midrash about names, and design and create three versions of ID cards for Esther based on her three identities. Quantity Lesson Summary:  Many Jews have both a Hebrew name and a name in the spoken language of the country they live in. We even find biblical characters with names in different languages. Students will study Esther and her two names as a way to explore how our different names relate to identity. Students will also study a midrash about names, and design and create three versions of ID cards for Esther based on her three identities. Printable Lesson:  What's in a Name? A Purim Lesson Plan

Alan Veingrad - NBC6 Sports Profile

Students will explore the concept of lifestyle transformation, using Avraham from the Torah and former NFL football player Alan Veingrad as model examples. $0.00$0.00About the speaker: Alan Veingrad is a motivator, entertainer, and businessman. He may be the only professional athlete in the history of sports to become a Torah-observant Orthodox Jew. Alan has shared his inspirational messages of positivism, personal excellence, leadership, and spiritual connection to corporate and business audiences worldwide. Alan's candor and charisma keep audiences spellbound while he shares stories of the intense training, ruthless competitive atmosphere, and performance requirements of professional football life. Lesson Summary:  Students will explore the concept of lifestyle transformation, using Avraham from the Torah and former NFL football player Alan Veingrad as model examples. Printable Lesson:  Alan Veingrad Lesson Plan

Israel: The Vision and Venture of the Jewish People (www.israventure.com)

Students will explore Israel’s relevance to us as American Jews through watching a video, studying a Jewish text, and creating visual diagrams of their identity and values. This lesson will initiate a conversation around Jews’ responsibility to each other, specifically focusing on our responsibility as American Jews to Israel. $0.00$0.00Take a ride on a 120 year journey in seven minutes. Explore the astounding start up that is the State of Israel, a remarkable product of collaboration among the Jewish people from around the world. Fast-paced and thought-provoking with terrific graphics and heart-stopping emotion, this short film will stir conversation, dialogue, and a passion for belonging to the Jewish people. From Beth Hatefutsoth, The Museum of the Jewish People, and the Center for Educational Technology (CET). For more information and accompanying teaching materials, go to www.israventure.com or www.bh.org.il. Lesson Summary:  Students will think about Jews’ responsibility for one another. Students will make a diagram to explore what parts of their identity and values are linked to America and to Israel. Printable Lesson:  Israel the Vision and Venture Lesson Plan.pdf

"A Place to Call Home" - Jewish Reconnection Project

In this lesson, students will articulate what role Israel plays in their lives and compare their experiences as Jews in the Diaspora to the experiences of young Jewish Americans and Israelis in the video. $0.00$0.00Young Jews in New York and Jerusalem talk to each other about issues facing Jews today, how they define their Jewish identities, and their sense of connection to Israel. Lesson Summary:  Students will analyze the advantages and disadvantages of being Jewish in the Diaspora vs. being Jewish in Israel. Students will explore the role that Israel plays in their lives. Printable Lesson:  A Place to Call Home Lesson Plan.pdf

What makes you happy?

Watch these short interviews about what makes people happy and think with your students about the definition of happiness. $0.00$0.00A series of short interview about what makes people happy interwoven with advice for happiness from Chabad.

What's inside a mezzuzah?

Watch this video about what's inside a mezuzah with your students. $0.00$0.00A short and engaging description of what is inside a mezuzah from Chabad

Jerusalem (Matisyahu)

Students will explore what makes up their identity by constructing an “Identity Wall.” Then students will watch Matisyahu’s “Jerusalem,” exploring the multiple messages of identity expressed in the song. Finally, students will compose a fourth verse to the song, offering their own interpretation of how Jerusalem relates to their identity. $0.00$0.00Matisyahu takes on the holy city of Jerusalem, integrating biblical quotes with a reggae beat and stunning visuals. Lesson Summary:  Students will explore what makes up their identity by constructing an “Identity Wall.” Then students will watch Matisyahu’s video “Jerusalem,” exploring the multiple messages of identity expressed in the song. Finally, students will compose a fourth verse to the song, offering their own interpretation of how Jerusalem relates to their identity. Printable Lesson:  Matisyahu's Jerusalem Lesson Plan.pdf

Dan Shechtman: From “Nonsense” to Nobel Prize

Read about Professor Dan Shechtman with your students. Despite years of ridicule from his colleagues in the scientific world, Professor Dan Shechtman persevered with his innovative work on quasicrystals and was awarded the 2011 Nobel Prize in chemistry for his groundbreaking discovery. In the accompanying  lesson, students play a challenging cooperation game to feel what it’s like to persevere. This lesson explores the concept of hatmadah, perseverance, as it relates to Professor Shechtman, Jewish texts, and students’ personal lives. $0.00$0.00People laughed at him. His colleagues publicly ridiculed him and called his ideas “nonsense.” But now they admit that he was right all along. Quasicrystals do exist and Dan Shechtman, professor at Technion-Israel Institute of Technology in Haifa, will soon be awarded the 2011 Nobel Prize in chemistry for discovering them. The stone that the builders despised has become the cornerstone. Psalms 118:22 Lesson Summary:  In this lesson, students play a challenging cooperation game to feel what it’s like to persevere. This lesson explores the concept of hatmadah, perseverance, as it relates to Professor Shechtman, Jewish texts, and students’ personal lives. Printable Lesson:  Lesson Plan Additional PDFs:  Source Sheet

Cooking Up Compassion

Be inspired by this article about a program, Liliyot Restaurant, that gives youth in Israel another chance at a renewed, successful life. In the accompanying  lesson, students will use kitchen implements to talk about the challenges of starting  over and the Yamim Noraim (Days of Awe) as a time to ask God to give us another chance. $0.00$0.00Israeli restaurants are often known for their delicious hummus, mouth-watering kebabs, and colorful Israeli salads. One Tel Aviv restaurant, however, is also known for its unique staff. That’s because every year Liliyot Restaurant and Bakery, in partnership with ELEM, the Israeli organization for youth at risk, trains and employs 15 young adults with some of the most difficult backgrounds and family situations in Israel.  -“I used to walk the streets drinking brandy,” reveals Mor*. “It’s easy to get lost, to disappear from the world.”  Lesson Summary:  In this lesson, students will use kitchen implements to talk about the challenges of starting over and the Yamim Noraim (Days of Awe) as a time to ask God to give us another chance. Printable Lesson:  Lesson Plan Additional PDFs:  Guided Reading Question Sheet Source Sheet Additional Resources:  About ELEM Liliyot Restaurant and Bakery

One Magic Moment

Enjoy these memories of Israel's history and encourage your students and their families to share their own memories with you and with each other.      $0.00$0.00Israel’s remarkable history has filled numerous volumes of books, but we wanted to hear the story directly from those who experienced it. Inspired by Dave Isay’s StoryCorps (see page 6 in the Nisan issue), BABAGANEWZ launched One Magic Moment—a project that urged kids to listen to Israel’s history from their parents’ and grandparents’ perspectives. "People tend to remember every wonder." Hullin 75a Lesson Summary:  This lesson provides information for implementing the “One Magic Moment” family education program in your school. Printable Lesson:  Lesson Plan Additional PDFs:  Sample Letter Israel Four Corners Exercise

Mitzvah Project Profiles: Animal Shelter

Enjoy this post of a  teen blog of b'nei mitzvah projects $0.00$0.00Hi, everyone! My name is Alexandra Kukoff. I’m 13 years old and will be celebrating my bat mitzvah this Shabbat! For my bat mitzvah project, I have been collecting bar and bat mitzvah stories for a book I’m writing called “A Jewish Girl’s Guide to a Bat Mitzvah Project.” I interview girls and women who have become bat mitzvah, from long ago to just recently. They tell me all about their mitzvah- or charity-related projects and I hope to include those projects and their accompanying stories in my book.

Zak Kolar: Paying Tribute to Those Who Perished

Read about Zak Kolar's project  on Yom Hashoah with your students. Zak Kolar created an online database of names of people who died in the Holocaust. His goal is to remember the Holocaust victims as individuals, not statistics. In the accompanying  lesson, students will look at photographs of pre-war Eastern European Jewish children and write about their personalities, families, likes, and dislikes in order to see them as individuals. Students will also learn about the Mourner’s Kaddish prayer and why it is recited in memory of the deceased. Finally, students will visit Zak’s website and choose the name of a Holocaust victim to remember. $0.00$0.00By Beth Panitz SIX MILLION. The number echoed in Zak Kolar’s head as he joined in a prayer to remember the six million Jews who perished in the Holocaust. Sitting in that memorial service two years ago, Zak, 13 at the time, was suddenly awe-struck by the magnitude of the tragedy. “It hit me just how big of a number six million is,” says Zak, from Naperville, Illinois. One short prayer couldn’t cover such an enormous loss. Lesson Summary:  In this lesson, students will look at photographs of pre-war Eastern European Jewish children and write about their personalities, families, likes, and dislikes in order to see them as individuals. Students will also learn about the Mourner’s Kaddish prayer and why it is recited in memory of the deceased. Finally, students will visit Zak’s website and choose the name of a Holocaust victim to remember. This lesson is appropriate for Yom Hashoah. Printable Lesson:  Lesson Plan Additional PDFs:  Photographs by Roman Vishniac Source Sheet Additional Resources:  Zak’s website, Each of Us Has a Name More photos by Roman Vishniac More information about the Mourner’s Kaddish Holocaust Museum Houston’s butterfly project

Toy Story 3 Study Guide

Host a family movie night to watch Toy Story 3 and use this study guide to prepare a discussion after the screening. Or surprise your students in school one day- with a movie followed by an activity which will help them to find Jewish values all around them. $0.00$0.00In Toy Story 3, third in the Toy Story series, 17-year-old Andy has outgrown his childhood toys and is leaving for college. Andy plans to bring his favorite toy Woody along, but the rest will be packed away in a garbage bag and stored in the attic. When the garbage bag is accidentally set out on the curb for trash pick-up, the toys conclude that Andy doesn’t want them anymore and sneak into the box of toys to be donated to Sunnyside Daycare. The daycare center, however, turns out to be a prison for toys. Lesson Summary:  Studying this animated film with your students will engage them and increase their ability to find Jewish values all around them. Printable Lesson:  ToyStory3_StudyGuide.pdf Additional PDFs:  ToyStory3_SourceSheet.pdf

Letters from the Jewish Homestead

These letters, based on the experiences of early Jewish settlers of the American West, describe the challenges of living far away from a Jewish community. Students will consider through discussion and writing activities the role of community in Jewish life and explore ways that individuals have practiced Judaism without the support of a large community.   $0.00$0.00Based on the recollections of Rachel Minenberg Baker, Blanche Halpern Goldberg, Sylvia Kremen Rosenberg, Sophie Turnoy Trupin, Amelia Ullmann, and Nellie Brody Werner, as told in “And Prairie Dogs Weren’t Kosher”: Jewish Women in the Upper Midwest Since 1855 by Linda Mack Schloff, published by Minnesota Historical Press. June 1855 Dear Rose, Lesson Summary:  In this lesson, students will consider the role of community in Jewish life and explore ways that individuals have practiced Judaism without the support of a large community. Printable Lesson:  45supp02lesson.pdf Additional PDFs:  Source Sheet Additional Resources:  Jewish Women's Archive: http://www.jwa.org Essay on "The American Jewish Experience through the Nineteenth Century: Immigration and Acculturation" by Jonathan D. Sarna and Jonathan Golden: http://www.nhc.rtp.nc.us/tserve/nineteen/nkeyinfo/judaism.htm

Ilan Ramon: Israel's First Astronaut

Ilan Ramon, Israel's first astronaut, tragically died with his crewmates aboard the space shuttle Columbia. Share his story with your students and help them to understand that Ramon felt it was his responsibility to be a role model and leader for the Jewish people, as well as a representative of Israel to the rest of the world. Students will create an advertisement campaign representing Israel to the world as part of the lesson accompanying this article. $0.00$0.00This article appeared in the Third Israel@60 supplement: Israel's Spirit@60 1969-2008. Download the entire supplement below. This article appears on pages 4-5. Lesson Summary:  In this lesson students will learn about Ilan Ramon, Israel's first astronaut, who tragically died with his crewmates aboard the space shuttle Columbia. Students will understand that Ramon felt it was his responsibility to be a role model and leader for the Jewish people, as well as a representative of Israel to the rest of the world. Students will create an advertisement campaign representing Israel to the world. Printable Lesson:  Lesson Plan Additional PDFs:  Topics handout Source Sheet Texts and questions for pairs Additional Resources:  Israel Science and Technology homepage The Jewish Zionist Education Site The Israeli News Agency coverage of Ilan Ramon Advertisements for Israel: 'You'll Love Israel From the First Shalom' Israel: Earth's Microcosmos "There are many others like me"

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