Rationale
As Israel’s 70th approaches, Jewish education programs for adults and teens will be looking for educational activities to mark the event.
Zot Hashira goes beyond celebration and happy birthday parties for Israel. It offers an opportunity for an in-depth conversation about Israel through the study of iconic Israeli texts.
The Story
There are many ways to tell Israel’s story. Often its series of wars are the guide lines, sometimes the waves of immigrations that reached its shores; others prefer the destruction-to-revival narratives. It is hard to agree on one story that will capture it all.
Zot Hashira – Does not talk about Israel – It listens. It listens to the authentic voices of Israeli writers who give poetic expressions to the stories of revival, the struggles for security and peace, the shortcomings of discrimination and the effort to find a balance between contradictory aspirations. It is not the only way to tell the story but it is an interesting one. Participants will be invited into some of the inner Israeli discourse and learn its vocabulary.
Structure
Zot Hashira has seven units– each focusing on a decade in the history of the state.
Each unit includes 2-3 poems addressing the most important of Israel’s achievements in a given decade and 1-2 poems addressing major challenges or dilemmas the state was addressing during the same period of time.
The literary choices will be accompanied by:
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Historical background materials providing a context for their composition.
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Musical renditions of the poems when applicable.
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A detailed teachers’ guide.
Who is it for?
Zot Hashira can be used and studied in high schools, adult learning groups as well as post Bar/Bat Mitzva programs or other young adult groups.
When, How, How Often?
Depending on community frameworks, Zot Hashira could be spread over almost a whole academic year leading from the end of November marking the 70th anniversary of the Partition Decision to Yom Hatzmaut in April.
It could also create a concise Israel Learn In opportunity where participants move from one station to the other over one or two school days, around Yom Haatzmaut.
Pedagogical Support System
Professional development for educators teaching the program:
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Face2Face – Invite Rachel Korazim to run a professional development training in your community. Collaborate with other institutions to make this more accessible.
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On- Line Distance Learning professional development via Skype or similar applications
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On-Line consultation with the author of the program to fine tune your teaching as you go.
Zot Hashira - Study Kit
4818
First
UNIT
The First Decade 1947 – 1958
Achievements:
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The Creation of the Defense Force
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The Ingathering of the Exiles
Challenges and Dilemmas:
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The Arab Minority and the Refugees
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The Discrimination among Olim
The Second Decade 1958 – 1968
Achievements:
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The Arab Minority and the Refugees
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The Discrimination among Olim
Challenges and Dilemmas
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The Ideological split: Greater Eretz Yisrael
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Ideological Split: Early Anti War Voices
2nd
UNIT
3rd
UNIT
The Third Decade 1968 – 1978
Achievements:
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The 1977 Transfer of Power
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The Struggle for Peace following the Yom Kippur War
Challenges and Dilemmas:
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The Yom Kippur War
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Social Justice
The Forth Decade 1978 – 1988
Achievements:
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Settlements
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The Evacuation of Yamit
Challenges and Dilemmas:
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Settlements
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The First Lebanon War and its Aftermath
4th
UNIT
5th
UNIT
The Fifth Decade 1988 – 1998
Achievements:
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Let My People Go - The massive immigration from the FSU. Israel and
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Beta Yisrael - The Immigration from Ethiopia
Challenges and Dilemmas:
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The First Intifada and The Oslo Accords
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Rabin’s Assassination
The Sixth Decade 1998 – 2008
Achievements:
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The Start up Nation
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New Israeli Humour
Challenges and Dilemmas:
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Riots of Israeli Arab Citizens
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The Disengagement
6th
UNIT
7th
UNIT
The Seventh Decade 2008 – 2018
Achievements:
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New Voices
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Feminism, LGBT and more
Challenges and Dilemmas:
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Split with Diaspora Jewish Communities
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Split within
Zot Hashira is made possible by the generous support of:
The Shalom Hartman Institute
RLI Havruta Program
Rabbi Mari Chernow
of Temple Chai Phoenix Ar
Rabbi John Linder
of Temple Solel Phoenix Ar
Rabbi David Wiener
of Knesset Yisrael Pittsfield Ma
Rabbi Steven Lowenstein
of Temple Am Shalom Glencoe Il
Rabbi David Seth Kirshner
of Temple Emanu - El Closter NJ
Rabbi Laurie Phillips
of Beineinu
David J. Gelfand
and Cantor Irena Altshul
of Temple Israel of NYC
Rabbi Howard Stecker
of Temple Israel of Great Neck
Rabbi Shira Stern
of Temple Rodeph Torah
Rabbi Donald Weber
of Temple Rodeph Torah
Rabbi Bennet Miller
of Anshe Emet Memorial Temple
Rabbi Yoni Regev
of Temple Sinai Oakland California
Rabbi Richard Steinberg
of Congregation Shir Hamaalot
Rabbi Lester Bronstein
of Bet Am Shalem Synagogue
Rabbi David Steinhardt
Bnei Torah Congregation
Rabbi Mark Cohn
of Temple Emanuel of Winston-Salem NC
Rabbi Wesley R. Gardenswartz
of Temple Emanuel Newton Ma