Video · Lesson

A Videography of the Jewish American Experience

Discover the dynamic story of Jewish Americans in this brief video lesson. Explore Jewish American identity including the community’s history, culture, challenges, triumphs, and contributions to American society.

Grades
6–7
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Educational video thumbnail titled “The Jewish American Story on Film,” featuring illustrated portraits of Jewish communities over a world map background.

About

Pop some popcorn and get ready to explore the dynamic story of Jewish Americans with your students. This video lesson is an interactive journey paired with a viewing guide to uncover the layers of Jewish American identity, including the community’s history, culture, challenges, triumphs, and contributions to American society.

Students will be thinking about: What unites this diverse community? How does their story connect to the broader American narrative? Click play and let them discover the answers to these important questions.

Essential Questions

How are Jewish Americans an ethnic group?

What visible and invisible components make up each person’s unique identity?

How do the multiple components that make up identity help us understand the diversity of Jewish Americans?

What are key positive and negative experiences of Jewish Americans both historically and today?

Learning Objectives

Students will be able to:

Understand what makes Jewish Americans an ethnic group

Identify at least three ways in which Jews are diverse

Understand challenging and empowering historical and contemporary experiences of Jewish Americans in the United States

Explain the concept of Jewish identity and how it can be expressed in various ways

Learn about the contributions of Jewish Americans to American society.

Develop empathy and perspective-taking skills

© Institute for Curriculum Services used under license.