Resources for teaching about Israel in crisis
Curated Series
The Jewish Education Project
Since the attack on Israel on October 7, Jewish educators in all settings have been called to teach about Israel in unprecedented and challenging ways. Whether you are educating students about antisemitism, teaching the history of the conflict, providing emotional support, or are struggling yourself to understand what is happening and how to teach about it, we are here for you.
This resource collection provides practical tools and guides for educators to help learners engage with what is happening in age- and setting-appropriate ways, as well as support for educators.
What is this collection missing? Let us know at educator@jewishedproject.org.
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Webinars and Podcasts from The Jewish Education Project
On Demand
View recordings of adaptable text studies that explore Jewish connection, diversity, and responsibilities.
On Demand
Explore cultural content created by Israelis since October 7th to share with your learners.
On Demand
A webinar recorded on Oct. 10, 2023 to provide guidance for educators and parents.
On Demand
See a recorded webinar on best practices for working with teens at this unprecedented time.
On Demand
Watch to hear from leading voices from the field of Israel education and embrace the call to action.
In the wake of devastation coming out of Israel, Jewish educators have been grappling with how to best communicate the events unfolding with their students.
The Jewish community is still reeling from the massacre that Hamas carried out in Israel over one week ago.
Engaging Learners around what Happened and what is Happening
How can the voices of the parents inspire us to civic and spiritual action for their release?
How might we integrate hope for the return of our hostages into our Seders this year? How might we meaningfully engage an intergenerational group with the hostage issue at the Seder table?
A Haggadah supplement from the Hartman Institute for Passover 2024
A Haggadah supplement to older teens in light of October 7th.
FAQs to deepen understanding of the current situation in Israel and Gaza. Created by The iCenter.
This current war will ensure that both Israelis and Gazans can have a future free of terror.
A fact sheet from the Israeli-American Council on the events of October 7th, 2023
Help students process violence, terror, and the loss of life in the wake of attacks in Israel and Israel's declaration of war against Hamas.
The horrific attack on Israeli citizens and the ongoing fighting, and news of family and friends who were killed or are still missing has left the entire Jewish world reeling. These practical resources and activities aim to help (yourself and) your students during these trying times.
Explore stories that bring forth the voices of different sectors of Israeli society. By The iCenter.
5 open resources from JTeach.org for teaching/discussing the current crisis in Israel.These resources range in ages from very young to teens, and can be used in any setting.
A special podcast episode
A guide from Matan on discussing these events.
A recoding of a recent webinar from The Orchard for Early Childhood Educators.
Three scholars of the Middle East and modern Israel discuss the shock of the Hamas attack, the Israeli goals in the war, the U.S. response and future of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
A collection of videos, webinars, timelines, analyses, suggested readings, maps, and educator guides relating to the Israel-Hamas War that began on October 7, 2023.
a social story by Rabbi Simcha Weinstein.
Lesson plans, articles and other resources for Hebrew educators at this time.
Background on the current situation in Israel with respect to Gaza and beyond.
Are Israel’s current actions towards Palestinians in Gaza actually war crimes according to the legal definition?
Resources and communication suggestions for educators.
A guide from the Institute for Curriculum Services.
A toolkit of lessons and resources to help students navigate through this challenging time.
The suffering has left Gazans with a sense of despair and a longing for a change in leadership.
We break down the devastating attacks from Hamas on Israel and the international response.
This text timeline tracks the history of Hamas, including its wars with Israel.
Gain context for Hamas' Oct. 7 attack through a history of the Palestinian Islamic resistance movement.
Collection
Resources on the situation in Israel and Gaza from M2 and The Jewish Education Project.
FAQ about the hostage crisis in the Israel-Hamas war. Created by The iCenter.
Explore songs and stories of Israeli music in the dark days following October 7. Created by The iCenter.
FAQ about the Palestinians as related to the Israel-Hamas war. Created by The iCenter.
FAQ about the charge of genocide being leveled at Israel during its war with Hamas.
An audio diary from Mor Maisel reflecting on life in Israel since October 7.
This brief FAQ provides educators and learners with background information on ceasefires.
Delve into the different legal, historical, political, and common usage of terms heard in the context of the Israel-Hamas war.
This collection of resources highlights the creativity that has come alive across Israel since October 7.
Supporting Learners and Families
A compilation of prayers and texts to mark this moment with learners.
Three suggestions for solidarity with Israel for tweens and teens.
This resource explores how traumatic events impact students' learning, behavior, and relationships.
It can be challenging for a caregiver or educator to discuss the topic of death with children.
A guide from the National Association of School Psychologists.
A new prayer authored by Rabbi Mira Regev, a leader of the Reform Movement in Israel.
A collection of resources to help support learners and families.
As you support the teens in your life in processing recent events in Israel, choose one or more of the following poems to read or listen to together and discuss.
Trauma can manifest itself in many forms. To help you navigate the current situation, we would like to offer the following suggestions and resources.
Read and discuss a prayer written by Rabbi Moses Sofer (Chatam Sofer) and reflect on the power of prayer in difficult times.
Discover letters from the NLI's collections written by children during times of war and try to understand the writers' thoughts and emotions.
Jewish text, conversations prompts and suggestions for how to apply Jewish teen philanthropy during a crisis situation.
An article by Dr. Sivan Zakai about the events of October, 2023 in Israel
This guide provides resources for teens to feel connected to and supported by other Jewish teens.
A way of processing the current war through an exploration of Jewish texts and concepts.
Helpful tips to effectively educate others while also protecting your mental health.
Learning about the History of the Conflict
The Jews want a state and the Palestinians want a state, so why not give them each a state of their own?
Today’s armies are subject to international humanitarian law, national pressure and public scrutiny. Yet they must also uphold themselves to their own specific ethical and moral codes.
A collection of resources to help learners think critically about the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict.
Hamas – the terrorist group behind a wave of devastating suicide bombings and attacks in the 1990s and 2000s.
In 2005, Israel withdrew completely from the Gaza strip. What has been going on there since?
