What Israel Means to Me

I used our final weekday Edot session to bring to a close our Edot curriculum this year with a very special art project. Using Hebrew Through Movement commands, I had the students draw the Israeli flag (the "Kachol Lavan" - the "Blue White," as it's known in Israel). We then discussed what we had learned during the year about the history of the four edot we studied (Ethiopian, Babylonian/Iraqi, Spanish and Yemenite Jews), with a focus on the immigration to the State of Israel of many members (in some cases all of the members) of these edot. We talked about the establishment of the State of Israel 66 years ago (we celebrate Israel Independence Day -Yom Ha'atzma'ut - this coming Tuesday, May 6th), and what we had learned about the Jewish dream to return to Zion and, more specifically, what the new state meant to these edot.

I then asked each student to write a one or two-sentence statement on the flags they had just drawn, sharing what Israel means to them. Here are a few of the results:

Tomorrow evening, during the family Shabbatarama event, some of our Edot students will be sharing what they learned this year, and will, along with parent volunteers, help to staff booths at our "Edot Fair," sharing the games and crafts and foods of the edot. We will also be celebrating, as part of the skit, Israel's 66th birthday. 

YOM HOOLEDET SAMEACH L'YISRAEL!  (Happy Birthday to Israel!)