Israel In Crisis: Educator Community Hub
Welcome to the Israel In Crisis Educator Community Hub.
As our community has been mobilizing and creating resources and events to support educators, The Jewish Education Project invites you to find them all in one place, along with a space for you- educators in the field- to come together and talk about what you need right now.
Our team will be here to support you, and we encourage you to respond in the discussion board below and support each other.
In partnership with:
From The Jewish Education Project
Resources to help learners engage safely with the current crisis in Israel.
An article by Dr. David Bryfman about how educators are responding to the events in Israel.
Show your support and solidarity by sending messages of deep caring.
Looking for resources to share with Parents?
Check out our resource hub for parents, including guides, activities and webinars to offer support. Click here to visit Truvie.
Discussion
Questions? Thoughts? Ideas? Share here!
I had an interesting discussion with some 6th graders last night about what is happening now in Israel. I started by asking them how much they knew and wanted them to write anonymous questions about it and I would do my best to answer. The questions spanned from "Are we going to be okay in the world?" to "Will my teacher who lives in Israel be able to tutor me?" All in all, we actually had fewer questions than I had initially thought we would have. Most were very quiet and I just felt like a disconnect? Maybe because they have not been there? I don't know. What have your experiences been so far and what are some of the favorite things you have done in the classroom?
Its interesting they got much more animated when we spoke about the judicial reform process. Maybe it's the dark nature of what is happening.
Super interesting! Based on the examples that you gave, it sounds like their questions are deeply existential. I'm wondering if they have the context/bandwidth to engage on this topic from a content perspective, as well as an emotional one. What has Israel meant to them so far?
Hello,
I can say I relate very much. had the same situation with some seniors that reacted in a very similar way.
I am not sure exactly what it is, according to them is mainly knowledge. After that I started gathering a lot of info and "dry" details regarding the situation.
Wondering if someone found a good recommended source.
Explore the National Library of Israel's source sheets about communal responsibility and solidarity, texts and primary sources that highlight the idea of cohesion between Jewish communities and letters written by children during times of war. https://education-en.nli.org.il/special-programs/words-can-make-a-difference
I am deeply concerned about this. We are assuming that our students feel a deep connnection to Israel, but we know that many do not. What are we doing to help this child understand how deeply we are feeling at this moment and why. How can we help them find the connections of heart and mind. How can we help them understand their possible encounters with antisemitism, many for the first time.
Shalom from Israel,
Below is information about the Worldwide "United 4 New Trees of Life" Tu Bishvat Program.
It's a beautiful, educational and meaningful way to Unite Jews and create NEW Trees of Life in memory of those recently lost. We are still shocked and saddened by the horrific anti-Semitic murder of over 1,200 fellow Jews on Simchat Torah in Israel. Many people are looking for something meaningful, educational and impactful that they can do this coming Tu B'shvat.
Join the Worldwide "United 4 New Trees of Life" Tu B'shvat Program and connect your students to the Land of Israel in a positive way. Starting this Tu B'shvat Schools, Shuls and Communities worldwide are uniting to plant 12,000 NEW Fruit Trees near the Gaza border in memory of the 1,200 victims of the recent horrific massacre.
Many farmers and their communities on the Gaza border were badly affected. They lost family members, friends, fellow farmers, their families moved out, plus many farmers were called up to the army reserve to fight for Israel's future. Some of the farms are on the verge of collapsing. We can help them by planting NEW Fruit Trees near the Gaza border in memory of the 1,200 victims and create NEW life!
This accomplishes 3 goals:
1. We support the farmers and communities in great need right now, help save their farms while safeguarding the holy land!
2. We show Hamas and their supporters in the world that the Jews are here to stay, we're not going anywhere, we will GROW!!
3. We're going to plant 12,000 New Fruit Trees of Life in memory of the 1,200 victims and create NEW LIFE!!!
Thousands of New mitzvot will come from these New Fruit Trees and their Fruits, and will be leilyiu nishmat the victims, to elevate their holy souls. Trees will be planted by observant farmers in Israel through Zo Artzeinu who has helped plant over half a million fruit trees all over Israel, more than any other organization.
There is NO cost to schools and the program is simple to run. We provide everything needed.
Students will not just learn about the מצוות התלויות בארץ mitzvot applicable in Israel in theory, they will also be able to partner in fulfilling them! See Psak from HaRav Hagaon Yaakov Ariel former Chief Rabbi of Ramat Gan and Rosh (director) of Machon Torah VeHa'aretz
Click This Link https://www.israeltrees.org/school-program
to see a Short Video and more info about the school program.
Please contact me if you would like to join with other schools worldwide.
Blessings from the land of Israel
Shlomo Walfish
Educational Director
02.991.5115 Israel
516.371.2474 USA (Rings in Israel)
shlomo@israeltrees.org
Link to info about the program: https://www.israeltrees.org/school-program/?a=sw-info-about-program