In the Classroom

Israel @ 60
On May 8, 2008 Israel will be celebrating its 60th birthday.
What do we do on our own special anniversaries or birthdays? We commemorate them in a festive way, give them a more profound meaning, and reflect back on our lives before going forward. Many times we reminisce and tell stories. We should do the same for Israel’s special birthday! This anniversary presents many opportunities. It is an opportunity to take time to reflect on 60 years of independence, struggles, achievements, aspirations and hopes. It is an opportunity to tell Israel’s story and to uncover the many ways in which Israel’s story intertwines with our own stories – our personal story, our family’s story and our collective story as a people. It is an opportunity to connect and engage kids with Israel. And it is an opportunity to celebrate.

What’s In a Name?

We will count 60 years of independence and recount the stories associated with Israel’s land, state, and people — Count and Recount.

In Gematria, which assigns numeric values to Hebrew letters, the number 60 is represented by the letter “samekh” – the first letter in the word “sefer” (book) and “sipur” (story).  “Le’saper” (to recount, to tell) shares a root with “s’fira” (counting) and “lispor” (to count). In Hebrew this year’s theme is therefore “Lispor U’lesaper,” “Count and Recount.”

This year we propose giving students the opportunity to engage with Israel through storytelling.
Stories can be told in many different ways, using a variety of media. There are visual stories, verbal stories, musical stories, dramatic stories, family stories…

Israel@60 Program Menu

1. Krazot Mesaprot – Yom Ha’atzmaut Posters
2. Sipurim – Storytelling
3. Batey Sefer Mesaprim – Schools’ Tribute to Israel@60 – Israel in the Gardens

Programs and scheduling will start November 07. 

Krazot Mesaprot - Telling Israel’s story through its Yom Ha’atzmaut posters
Presented by Vavi Toran
November 2007 to March 2008
For grades 4 to 12.

The visual arts have served for many years and for many cultures as a VISUAL COMMENTARY on global, national, social and political topics and issues. Making a statement, conveying concern, celebrating achievements or expressing hopes for the future – all can be depicted visually. This program invites the students to explore and interpret the material and create their own visual commentary. The backdrop for this curricular and creative program is the historical posters designed for Israel’s Independence Day throughout the years. These posters offer a rare perspective into Israel's national mood and aspirations as well as an historic, design, and esthetic timeline.

The program can be used in many ways, depending on the classroom setup, goals, and allotted time. Students can examine and discuss recurring visual symbols, metaphors, style, and message. They can interpret and match posters with an historic timeline. They can learn about special commemorative years and their significance. They can examine the posters based on visual impact, clarity of message, originality and creativity. They can (and should) explore their connection to Israel. IEI is preparing a workbook to accompany the program.  This workbook will include a historic time line, history and context for four selected themes, deck of samples for the posters, and creative ideas for classroom games and activities  

The program will conclude with students designing their own 60th Independence Day posters (or group posters). We encourage institutions to be creative in their use of the program (one synagogue is already planning to use this activity in their Family Ed. programs). 

Vavi will be able to come and work with faculties of 8 or more teachers.  In addition, two professional development workshops, one in San Francisco and one in the Peninsula, will take place during the year. 

Sipurim - Storytelling
We present Liora Brosbe, a local story teller.  Liora is developing a menu of performances specifically tailored around personal experiences and Israel.  She will be available to come to any Bay Area educational program and present a performance appropriate to your community.   Liora can present in front of small groups as well as large assemblies.  She lives in the Bay Area and will be happy to make herself available based on your needs.  Coordination for Liora's visit should be done through the IEI office. Sign up soon to get your preferred dates!

         
Batey Sefer Mesaprim – Schools’ Tribute to Israel@60 – Israel in the Gardens
All grades culminating in a stage performance in Israel in the Gardens (IIG), June 1st 2008

This year, programs will be invited to come up with their own idea for a performance at IIG. Schools with choirs, musical bands, dance troupes, or any other performing arts program (one teen program suggested doing "Battle of the Bands" with Israeli songs and having the winning band perform at IIG.) We ask that the performances be creative, Israel@60 related, and stage-worthy.

There will be an RFP process for limited available funds to assist programs in need of specific expertise or material. 

To learn more please contact Ilan Vitemberg at ivitemberg@bjesf.org or 415.751.6983 ext.149