The Many Faces of Israel

The Many Faces of Israel


A project of The Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles

In cooperation with The Archdiocese of Los Angeles

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Curriculum Writers: Marlynn Dorff and Ardyth Sokoler




Acknowledgements

This project would not have been possible without the involvement and dedication of the

Holy Land Democracy Task Force.

Dr. Daniel Lieber, Chair

Elaine Albert, Director

Dr. David Ackerman, Educational Consultant

Dr. Parviz Afshani

Marc L. Benezra

Stuart Bernstein

Prof. Gerald Bubis

Susie Chodakiewitz

Avi Davis

Abner Goldstine

Stanley Kandel

Deborah Kattler Kupetz

Leslie Kessler

Ernest Z. Klein

Paul Kujawsky

Linda Mayman

Jo Ann Oster

Dr. Irwin Reich

Faith Schames

Nathan Wirtschafter

Some materials and lessons come from and/or have been adapted from the One People ManyFaces curriculum that is available through the Boston Bureau of Jewish Education.

The maps and many of the history and fact pages come from and/or have been adapted from

curricular materials prepared by the San Francisco JCRC.

All rights reserved.

© 2004 The Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Welcome

Introduction iGoals iiThe Many Faces of Israel iii

FAcTS AND FIGUReS

Introduction 1

The Middle East Today in Maps 3Emblem and Anthem 5Fact Summary 6

DemocRAcY

Democracy in Action 9

Israel: Declaration of Independence (May 14, 1948) 11U.S.: Declaration of Independence (July 4, 1776) 15U.S.: Preamble to Constitution 18Party History 1916th Knesset 2017th Knesset Elections 21

HISToRY

Jewish History Overview 22Christianity 25Islam 26The Jewish Diaspora 27The Middle East before WWI 28Balfour Declaration 29The Middle East between World Wars 1 and 2 30The Holocaust 31U.N. Resolution 181 32U.N. Partition Plan 33Creation of the State of Israel 34

TABLE OF CONTENTS

HISToRY (continued)

Difficult Issues – Refugees 35Jews Who Fled From Arab Lands 36Palestinian Arab Refugees 37Restrictions on Jews in Muslim Countries 38

Ethiopian Jews 39Immigration to Israel 40Israel Map (1949-1967) 44Developing Concepts 45Israel Map (Today) 46The Middle East Map (Today) 47Anti-Zionism 48Personal Stories 49Culture Trees 65

cURReNT eVeNTS

The News 68Media Web Sites 69World Briefs 70Israel Defense Force Guidelines 72In the Press 75

PeoPle

Introduction 82Distant Friends Video Transcript 83Israeli Food Fair 90Recipes 91

BIBlIoGRAPHY I

When you hear about Israel in the news, chances are you have heard about

war and terrorism in Israel and little else.

There is much more to the Holy Land than the limited snap-shots you see

on the evening news. People marry, babies are born, children go to school,

teens listen to rock music and are crazy about their soccer or basketball

teams and complain about too much homework, film stars make movies,

doctors perform miracles, farmers make crops grow where there used to

be desert, archaeologists discover new secrets from the past, people climb

mountains or hang out at the beach or the disco, people on the run grab

a falafel or pizza or schwarma, politicians argue.

This unit includes five short lessons about the modern State of Israel. We

hope you will learn a little about Israel’s people, geography, democracy, his-

tory, teen-age culture, and food. We hope this experience will help you

understand things just a little better, or at least help you ask better questions.

We hope you will come visit some day and see for yourself!

i

Welcome to

At the end of the unit students will be able to:

1. Identify Israel’s government as a democracy;

2. Explain that all kinds of people live in Israel, including all kinds of Jews;

3. Give at least one reason why people consider Israel the Jewish homeland;

4. Give at least one reason why Jews need a homeland;

5. Give at least one reason why Jews come to Israel to live;

6. Give at least one reason why Jews who do not live in Israel think it is

important to have the Jewish State of Israel;

7. Identify at least one area of conflict in Israel between Jews and Arabs;

8. Give at least one reason why the peace process in Israel is still

a challenge;

9. Give at least one example of how Israelis and Arabs handle the

conflict differently;

10. Give at least one example of how an Israeli teenager’s life is similar

to and different from an American teenager’s life.

ii

Goals

iii

TheMany

FacesofIsrael

TheMany

FacesofIsrael

iv

The Many Faces of

v

Israel

vi

Facts & Figures

1

Israel is the only Jewish state in the world and the most democratic country

among its Arab neighbors.

Israel’s citizens come from all over the world and practice many different

religions, just like in the United States. All of these people, Jewish and

Christian, Islamic and Secular, have the right to free expression, to vote, to

own property, to have a trial if charged with a crime, just about all the rights

that Americans have.

The ancient Jewish state in the Land of Israel was destroyed by the Romans

in 70 CE and later renamed Palestine. Some Jews always lived in places such

as Jerusalem, Safed, Hebron, Jaffa, and the Galilee, but over the centuries

the Land was ruled by others, including Romans, Arabs and Turks. The

majority of Jews were scattered among the nations, where they were often

persecuted, a defenseless minority. Most of the Jewish families in Israel today

are descended from immigrants, while some are descended from those who

always maintained residency in the land.

At times, Jews found homes in all these countries, but their experiences were

not always happy ones. Each country is a unique story about why Jews were

expelled or wanted to leave. This is one of the reasons it is important for

Israel to exist as a permanent haven for Jews who are threatened.

In 1897, Theodor Herzl founded modern Zionism, the belief that Jews

should return to Israel to build their own land. After that, many Jews began

to come. They bought land, much of which was either desert or swamps,

and made the country bloom. For the next 50 years, Zionism grew as an

international movement and waves of settlers came to Israel.

In 1933 Adolph Hitler stirred up violent anti-Semitism in Germany, so many

German Jews escaped to Israel. Other large sources of Jewish immigrants to

the Land of Israel include:

– survivors from the Holocaust who had no place else to go after 1945;

– Jews from Arab countries, many of whom fled or were expelled because

they were Jews;

– Russian Jews who finally received permission to leave the USSR;

– Ethiopian Jews - Israel had to make special arrangements to get them out; and

– North Americans, Europeans, South Africans, South Americans, etc.

When the United Nations voted to establish a Jewish State in Palestine in

1947, many Jews wept for joy. Finally, they could officially claim the land that

many believed God had given them and be a nation like any other. Their fate

would be in their own hands and they could make their own decisions

about how to live and how to worship. This is another reason Jews believe

that they need their homeland.

Facts &Figures

Introduction

2

Under the Ottoman Empire the area we call Palestine had been separate

provinces, not a united political entity. When Turkey lost World War I, this

became a British Mandate. The United Nations voted to give only a small

portion of this land to Israel. A large portion became Transjordan.

In 1948, when Israel declared independence, the entire Arab world rejected

the existence of a Jewish state and five Arab armies invaded, intending to

crush the new state. Despite overwhelming odds, Israel won the war.

If you look at a map, you will have a hard time finding Israel. It is a very

small country whose entire size is just smaller than Los Angeles plus

Riverside Counties.

You can also see on the map that Israel is surrounded on the north, east

and south by Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, and Egypt, all Arab countries. Nearby

you can see Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Yemen, Libya, Algeria, Morocco and Tunisia.

All of them form an organization called the Arab League. The land mass of

these 21 countries equals the entire United States.

One reason that the peace process is so complicated is that Israel has to

defend all her borders.

Facts &Figures

Introduction

3

11

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10

Mauritania

Facts &Figures

The MiddleEast Today

4

Somalia

Mauritania

Facts &Figures


5

Hatikvah (The Hope)

Israel’s National Anthem

As long as in the heart

The Jewish spirit yearns

With eyes turned eastward

Looking towards Zion, then our hope,

The hope of two thousand years,

Is not lost:

To be a free nation in our own land,

The land of Zion and Jerusalem.

The emblem of the State of Israel

The official emblem of the State, which was adopted in 1949, is composed

of two symbols. One is the menorah, or candelabrum, of the temple in

Jerusalem, the ancient symbol of the Jewish people as seen in relief on the

Arch of Titus in Rome. The menorah is surrounded by two olive branches,

linked at the bottom by the inscription “Israel” in Hebrew. The olive branch

itself has been synonymous with peace since the dove sent to find dry land

brought one back to Noah’s Ark (Genesis 8:11).

Facts &Figures

Emblem andAnthem

6

Size of Israel:

10,840 sq. miles (Following the June 1967 Arab-Israeli War, Israel gained the

West Bank and the Gaza Strip from Jordan and the Golan Heights from

Syria. These territories have been and will continue to be the subject of

negotiations between Israel and her Arab negotiating partners. As a result

of the Israeli-Palestinian negotiations, Israel has redeployed from 99% of

the Gaza Strip and almost 40% of the West Bank. Today these areas, which

include 99% of the Palestinian population, are under the jurisdiction of the

Palestinian Authority.)

Topography:

Coastal Plain – fertile, humid and densely populated along the

Mediterranean Sea

Central Highlands – Hills of Galilee in the north and the Judean Hills in

the south

Negev Desert – about 1/2 of Israel’s area

Jordan Valley – includes lowest point (approximately 1,300 feet below sea

level) at the Dead Sea

Geography:

Size of the state of New Jersey

290 miles from north to south

Width at widest point, 85 miles

Width at narrowest point, 6.2 miles

Border:

North – Lebanon

Northeast – Syria

East & South – Jordan

Southwest – Egypt

West – Mediterranean Sea

official Name:

State of Israel

capital:

Jerusalem

Natural Features:

Mountain Ranges – Mountains of Galilee; Hills of Judea and Samaria

Highest Peak – Meron, 3,963 feet (1,208 meters)

Major River – Jordan, 322 kilometer long

Largest Lakes – Dead Sea, Sea of Galilee (Lake Kinneret)

People:

1990’s – 6,203,300 (91.4% urban, 8.6% rural)

Facts &Figures

Fact Summary

7

life expectancy:

75.9 for males, 80.1 for females

major Religions:

Judaism, Islam and Christianity

major languages:

Hebrew, Arabic (both official), English and Russian widely spoken and

taught in state schools

literacy:

92%

leading Universities:

Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel Institute of Technology and

Tel Aviv University

Form of Government :

Republic and Parliamentary Democracy

chief of State:

President

Head of Government:

Prime Minister

legislature:

The Knesset, parliament of 120 members elected by popular vote for

a four-year term

Voting Qualifications:

age 18

Political Divisions:

Six districts which consist of Central, Haifa, Jerusalem, Northern, Southern,

and Tel Aviv

constitution:

No comprehensive written Constitution, but 9 Basic Laws enacted

by Knesset

Facts &Figures

Fact Summary

8

Politics:

Multiparty system

Main categories:

1. Left of center

2. Right of center

3. Religious

4. Arab parties

crops:

Apples, bananas, cotton, grapefruit, grapes, melons, olives, onion, oranges,

potatoes, tomatoes, and wheat

livestock:

Cattle, chicken, goats and sheep

chief mined Products:

Bromine, magnesium, phosphate rock, potash, and salt

chief manufactured Products:

Industry electronics, biotechnology, diamond cutting and polishing, energy,

chemicals, rubber, plastics, clothing, textiles and defense

chief exports:

Electronics, machinery, metals, beer and wine, citrus fruits and vegetables,

diamonds, fertilizers, flowers, iron and steel, organic and inorganic chemicals

and textiles

chief Imports:

Defense, materials for processing, boilers, machinery and parts, cereals,

chemicals, commercial and passenger vehicles, electrical machinery, fuel, iron

and steel, petroleum, rough diamonds and textiles

monetary Unit:

1 New Shekel = 100 Agorot

Approximately 4.4 New shekels = 1 American dollar

References: The Library of Congress/Country Studies(www.loc.gov/( & Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs (www.israel.org/mfa)

Facts &Figures

Fact Summary

9

The People: Israeli citizens can vote from the age of 18, regardless of religion, race, or sex. The electorate is approximately 82.5% Jewish, 16%Arab (13.5% Moslem, 2.5% Christian) and 1.5% Druze and other.

The President: Israel’s head of state is elected every seven years by vote of the Knesset. The President holds formal powers but has only limited governmental authority (e.g., signing treaties and laws, receiving the credentials of foreign ambassadors).

The Knesset: Israel’s parliament takes its name and size (120 members)from the Knesset Hagedolah convened in Jerusalem following the returnfrom the Babylonian exile about 500 years before Jesus. The modernKnesset holds absolute legislative power, unrestricted by veto. Knessetmembers are elected every four years, but the Knesset can dissolve itselfand call for new elections sooner. Elections are proportional: Israelis votefor one party and its platform; seats are assigned to each party in proportionto its percentage of the total vote. This system ensures a wide spectrum of political views in the Knesset, including the major centrist parties, Likudand Labor Alignment, small parties ranging from the left to the right, and a number of religious parties.

The Prime minister: Following each election, the President calls on onemember of the Knesset to form a government and serve as Prime Minister.This is usually the leader of the party that holds the most seats, since thegovernment must have the support of the Knesset to function. No party inIsrael’s history, however, has ever had the minimum 61 seats needed to forma government by itself. All Israeli governments have been based on coalitionsbetween two or more parties, under the Prime Minister’s leadership. ThePrime Minister and the ministers who make up the Cabinet have executivepower in the state and broad policy-making powers as well, subject alwaysto the Knesset’s support.

The Judiciary: Israel’s courts are a wholly independent branch within the political system. Judges are appointed by the President and serve for life, with retirement mandatory at age 70. State courts have jurisdiction in matters of marriage and divorce, with separate Jewish, Christian, Moslemand Druze courts enforcing their own religious laws. Israel’s Supreme Courtcan call attention to the desirability of changes in Knesset legislation anddoes determine whether laws properly conform with the Basic Laws thatmake up Israel’s constitutional framework.

The constitution: Although Israel does not have a formal, written constitution, the Knesset has created the constitutional framework for thestate through “Basic Laws” on the Presidency, the Knesset, the Government,the Judicature, the State Comptroller, the Army, State Lands, the Economyand Jerusalem. A “bill of rights” to complete Israel’s constitution is nowunder consideration in a Knesset committee. Individual rights are also guaranteed by the Declaration of the Establishment of the State of Israeland by long-standing precedent. Among these rights are freedom of religion,freedom of speech, freedom of the press, freedom of assembly and equalprotection under the law.

In Action

Democracy

10

Self-Defense: At age 18, every Israeli must serve in the Israel DefenseForces (IDF). Men serve for three years, women for two. Israeli Arabs are notrequired to serve but may volunteer. At the request of their communities,Druze and Circassian men have been drafted into the IDF since 1957. Aftercompleting their active service, men and unmarried women are assigned toreserve units, in which they serve about 30 days each year. Men can becalled for reserve duty up to age 55, women up to age 24. Because all citizens serve in the IDF, it is truly a citizens’ army. The IDF has also becomean important agent for social integration, encouraging an egalitarian spirit in the nation at large. At the same time, military life and the constant needfor military readiness have a direct impact on every Israeli, including on theroutines of civilian life.

In Action

Democracy

11

Israel is the most democratic state among its Arab neighbors today.

Israel’s Declaration of Independence has many similarities to that of

the United States. Both countries were founded by people seeking freedom

and safety after suffering persecution and discrimination. The signers of

both documents had great hopes for the future.

Israel’s President serves one 7-year term and has mostly ceremonial power,

similar to those of the Queen of England. The Prime minister is the

head of the government. He or she (a woman named Golda Meir, who

moved to Israel from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, was Prime Minister) comes

from the political party that forms a majority in the Knesset, the Israeli

parliament. When you look at the list of Israel’s political parties, you will

see that it is very long. It is not always easy to form a coalition in order

to create a majority. The two largest parties are Likud and Labor. Today,

there are 4 Arab parties.

Politics in Israel can be very lively! People tend to be very outspoken about

their views.

State of Israel:Declaration ofIndependenceMay 14, 1948

Democracy


12

THe DeclARATIoN oF THe eSTABlISHmeNT

oF THe STATe oF ISRAel

may 14, 1948

On May 14, 1948, on the day in which the British Mandate over a Palestineexpired, the Jewish People's Council gathered at the Tel Aviv Museum, andapproved the following proclamation, declaring the establishment of the State ofIsrael. The new state was recognized that night by the United States and threedays later by the USSR.

ERETZ-ISRAEL [(Hebrew) – the Land of Israel, Palestine] was the birthplace of

the Jewish people. Here their spiritual, religious and political identity was

shaped. Here they first attained to statehood, created cultural values of nation-

al and universal significance and gave to the world the eternal Book of Books.

After being forcibly exiled from their land, the people kept faith with it

throughout their Dispersion and never ceased to pray and hope for their

return to it and for the restoration in it of their political freedom.

Impelled by this historic and traditional attachment, Jews strove in every

successive generation to re-establish themselves in their ancient homeland.

In recent decades they returned in their masses. Pioneers, ma'pilim[(Hebrew) – immigrants coming to Eretz-Israel in defiance of restrictive

legislation] and defenders, they made deserts bloom, revived the Hebrew

language, built villages and towns, and created a thriving community

controlling its own economy and culture, loving peace but knowing how

to defend itself, bringing the blessings of progress to all the country's

inhabitants, and aspiring towards independent nationhood.

In the year 5657 (1897), at the summons of the spiritual father of the Jewish

State, Theodore Herzl, the First Zionist Congress convened and proclaimed

the right of the Jewish people to national rebirth in its own country.

This right was recognized in the Balfour Declaration of the 2nd November,

1917, and re-affirmed in the Mandate of the League of Nations which, in

particular, gave international sanction to the historic connection between

the Jewish people and Eretz-Israel and to the right of the Jewish people to

rebuild its National Home.

The catastrophe which recently befell the Jewish people – the massacre

of millions of Jews in Europe – was another clear demonstration of the

urgency of solving the problem of its homelessness by re-establishing in

Eretz-Israel the Jewish State, which would open the gates of the homeland

wide to every Jew and confer upon the Jewish people the status of a fully

privileged member of the comity of nations.

Survivors of the Nazi holocaust in Europe, as well as Jews from other parts

of the world, continued to migrate to Eretz-Israel, undaunted by difficulties,

restrictions and dangers, and never ceased to assert their right to a life of

dignity, freedom and honest toil in their national homeland.

eretz: land

Democracy

13

In the Second World War, the Jewish community of this country contributed

its full share to the struggle of the freedom- and peace-loving nations

against the forces of Nazi wickedness and, by the blood of its soldiers and

its war effort, gained the right to be reckoned among the peoples who

founded the United Nations.

On the 29th November, 1947, the United Nations General Assembly passed

a resolution calling for the establishment of a Jewish State in Eretz-Israel; the

General Assembly required the inhabitants of Eretz-Israel to take such steps

as were necessary on their part for the implementation of that resolution.

This recognition by the United Nations of the right of the Jewish people to

establish their State is irrevocable.

This right is the natural right of the Jewish people to be masters of their

own fate, like all other nations, in their own sovereign State.

ACCORDINGLY WE, MEMBERS OF THE PEOPLE'S COUNCIL,

REPRESENTATIVES OF THE JEWISH COMMUNITY OF ERETZ-ISRAEL

AND OF THE ZIONIST MOVEMENT, ARE HERE ASSEMBLED ON THE

DAY OF THE TERMINATION OF THE BRITISH MANDATE OVER

ERETZ-ISRAEL AND, BY VIRTUE OF OUR NATURAL AND HISTORIC

RIGHT AND ON THE STRENGTH OF THE RESOLUTION OF THE UNITED

NATIONS GENERAL ASSEMBLY, HEREBY DECLARE THE ESTABLISHMENT

OF A JEWISH STATE IN ERETZ-ISRAEL, TO BE KNOWN AS THE STATE

OF ISRAEL.

WE DECLARE that, with effect from the moment of the termination of the

Mandate being tonight, the eve of Sabbath, the 6th Iyar, 5708 (15th May,

1948), until the establishment of the elected, regular authorities of the State

in accordance with the Constitution which shall be adopted by the Elected

Constituent Assembly not later than the 1st October 1948, the People's

Council shall act as a Provisional Council of State, and its executive organ,

the People's Administration, shall be the Provisional Government of the

Jewish State, to be called "Israel."

THE STATE OF ISRAEL will be open for Jewish immigration and for the

Ingathering of the Exiles; it will foster the development of the country for

the benefit of all its inhabitants; it will be based on freedom, justice and

peace as envisaged by the prophets of Israel; it will ensure complete equality

of social and political rights to all its inhabitants irrespective of religion, race

or sex; it will guarantee freedom of religion, conscience, language, education

and culture; it will safeguard the Holy Places of all religions; and it will be

faithful to the principles of the Charter of the United Nations.

THE STATE OF ISRAEL is prepared to cooperate with the agencies and

representatives of the United Nations in implementing the resolution of the

General Assembly of the 29th November, 1947, and will take steps to bring

about the economic union of the whole of Eretz-Israel.


Democracy

14

WE APPEAL to the United Nations to assist the Jewish people in the

building-up of its State and to receive the State of Israel into the comity

of nations.

WE APPEAL – in the very midst of the onslaught launched against us now

for months – to the Arab inhabitants of the State of Israel to preserve

peace and participate in the upbuilding of the State on the basis of full and

equal citizenship and due representation in all its provisional and permanent

institutions.

WE EXTEND our hand to all neighbouring states and their peoples in an

offer of peace and good neighbourliness, and appeal to them to establish

bonds of cooperation and mutual help with the sovereign Jewish people

settled in its own land. The State of Israel is prepared to do its share in a

common effort for the advancement of the entire Middle East.

WE APPEAL to the Jewish people throughout the Diaspora to rally round

the Jews of Eretz-Israel in the tasks of immigration and upbuilding and to

stand by them in the great struggle for the realization of the age-old dream

- the redemption of Israel.

PLACING OUR TRUST IN THE "ROCK OF ISRAEL", WE AFFIX OUR

SIGNATURES TO THIS PROCLAMATION AT THIS SESSION OF THE

PROVISIONAL COUNCIL OF STATE, ON THE SOIL OF THE HOMELAND,

IN THE CITY OF TEL-AVIV, ON THIS SABBATH EVE, THE 5TH DAY OF

IYAR, 5708 (14TH MAY,1948).

David Ben-Gurion

Daniel Auster

Mordekhai Bentov

Yitzchak Ben Zvi

Eliyahu Berligne

Fritz Bernstein

Rabbi Wolf Gold

Meir Grabovsky

Yitzchak Gruenbaum

Dr. Abraham Granovsky

Eliyahu Dobkin

Meir Wilner-Kovner

Zerach Wahrhaftig

Herzl Vardi

Rachel Cohen

Rabbi Kalman Kahana

Saadia Kobashi

Rabbi Yitzchak Meir Levin

Meir David Loewenstein

Zvi Luria

Golda Myerson

Nachum Nir

Zvi Segal

Rabbi Yehuda Leib Hacohen

Fishman

David Zvi Pinkas

Aharon Zisling

Moshe Kolodny

Eliezer Kaplan

Abraham Katznelson

Felix Rosenblueth

David Remez

Berl Repetur

Mordekhai Shattner

Ben Zion Sternberg

Bekhor Shitreet

Moshe Shapira

Moshe Shertok

* Published in the Official Gazette, No. 1 of the 5th, Iyar, 5708 (14th May, 1948).


Democracy

15

When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people

to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and

to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to

which the Laws of Nature and of Nature’s God entitle them, a decent

respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the

causes which impel them to the separation.

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that

they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that

among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. –That to secure

these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just

powers from the consent of the governed, –That whenever any Form of

Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the

People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its

foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to

them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence,

indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be

changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath

shown, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable,

than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are

accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing

invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute

Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government,

and to provide new Guards for their future security. –Such has been the

patient sufferance of these Colonies; and such is now the necessity which

constrains them to alter their former Systems of Government. The history

of the present King of Great Britain [George III] is a history of repeated

injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an

absolute Tyranny over these States. To prove this, let Facts be submitted to

a candid world.

He has refused his Assent to Laws, the most wholesome and necessary for

the public good.

He has forbidden his Governors to pass Laws of immediate and pressing

importance, unless suspended in their operation till his Assent should

be obtained; and when so suspended, he has utterly neglected to attend

to them.

He has refused to pass other Laws for the accommodation of large districts

of people, unless those people would relinquish the right of Representation

in the Legislature, a right inestimable to them and formidable to tyrants only.

DemocracyThe Declaration of Independencein CongressJuly 4, 1776

The UnanimousDeclaration of theThir teen Uni tedStates of America

16

He has called together legislative bodies at places unusual, uncomfortable,

and distant from the depository of their public Records, for the sole

purpose of fatiguing them into compliance with his measures.

He has dissolved Representative Houses repeatedly, for opposing with manly

firmness his invasions on the rights of the people.

He has refused for a long time, after such dissolutions, to cause others to

be elected; whereby the Legislative powers, incapable of Annihilation, have

returned to the People at large for their exercise; the State remaining in

the mean time exposed to all the dangers of invasion from without, and

convulsions within.

He has endeavored to prevent the population of these States; for that

purpose obstructing the Laws for Naturalization of Foreigners; refusing to

pass others to encourage their migrations hither, and raising the conditions

of new Appropriations of Lands.

He has obstructed the Administration of Justice, by refusing his Assent to

Laws for establishing Judiciary powers.

He has made Judges dependent on his Will alone, for the tenure of their

offices, and the amount and payment of their salaries.

He has erected a multitude of New Offices, and sent hither swarms of

Officers to harass our people, and eat out their substance.

He has kept among us, in times of peace, Standing Armies without the

consent of our legislatures.

He has affected to render the Military independent of and superior to the

Civil power.

He has combined with others to subject us to a jurisdiction foreign to our

constitution and unacknowledged by our laws; giving his Assent to their Acts

of pretended Legislation:

For Quartering large bodies of armed troops among us;

For protecting them, by a mock Trial, from punishment for any

murders which they should commit on the Inhabitants of these States;

For cutting off our Trade with all parts of the world;

For imposing Taxes on us without our Consent;

For depriving us, in many cases, of the benefits of Trial by Jury;

For transporting us beyond Seas to be tried for pretended offenses;

For abolishing the free System of English Laws in a neighboring;



17

Province, establishing therein an Arbitrary government, and enlarging

its Boundaries so as to render it at once an example and fit instrument

for introducing the same absolute rule into these Colonies;

For taking away our Charters, abolishing our most valuable Laws, and

altering fundamentally the Forms of our Governments;

For suspending our own Legislatures, and declaring themselves

invested with power to legislate for us in all cases whatsoever;

He has abdicated Government here, by declaring us out of his

Protection and waging War against us.

He has plundered our seas, ravaged our Coasts, burnt our towns, and

destroyed the lives of our people.

He is at this time transporting large Armies of foreign Mercenaries to

compleat the works of death, desolation and tyranny, already begun with

circumstances of Cruelty and perfidy scarcely paralleled in the most

barbarous ages, and totally unworthy the Head of a civilized nation.

He has constrained our fellow Citizens taken Captive on the high Seas

to bear Arms against their Country, to become the executioners of their

friends and Brethren, or to fall themselves by their Hands.

He has excited domestic insurrections amongst us, and has endeavored to

bring on the inhabitants of our frontiers, the merciless Indian Savages, whose

known rule of warfare, is an undistinguished destruction of all ages, sexes

and conditions.

In every stage of these Oppressions We have Petitioned for Redress in the

most humble terms: Our repeated Petitions have been answered only by

repeated injury. A Prince whose character is thus marked by every act

which may define a Tyrant, is unfit to be the ruler of a free people.

Nor have We been wanting in attentions to our British brethren. We have

warned them from time to time of attempts by their legislature to extend

an unwarrantable jurisdiction over us. We have reminded them of the

circumstances of our emigration and settlement here. We have appealed

to their native justice and magnanimity, and we have conjured them by the

ties of our common kindred to disavow these usurpations, which, would

inevitably interrupt our connections and correspondence. They too have

been deaf to the voice of justice and of consanguinity. We must, therefore,

acquiesce in the necessity, which denounces our Separation, and hold them,

as we hold the rest of mankind, Enemies in War, in Peace Friends.



18

We, therefore, the Representatives of the united States of America, in

General Congress, Assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world

for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the Name, and by the Authority of

the good People of these Colonies, solemnly publish and declare, That these

United Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States;

that they are Absolved from all Allegiance to the British Crown, and that all

political connection between them and the State of Great Britain, is and

ought to be totally dissolved; and that as Free and Independent States, they

have full Power to levy War, conclude Peace, contract Alliances, establish

Commerce, and to do all other Acts and Things which Independent States

may of right do. And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance

on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other

our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor.

We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect

Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common

defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to

ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for

the United States of America.

The Constitutionof the UnitedStates ofAmerica

Democracy

19

major Israeli Political Parties (current and Historic) and

approximate political classification

SOCIALIST - LIBERAL -RIGHT ORTHODOX

NON

ZIONIST CENTEROR

ANTI-ZIONIST

Ahdut Ha'avoda Center Party Gahal Agudath Arab Democratic PartyYisrael

Am Ehad Democratic Movement Herut Degel Baladfor Change Hatorah

Labor General Zionists Likud Mizrachi Hadash

Labor Alignment Independent Liberal Moledet NRP Haolam Hazeh

Mapai Liberal Party National Union Shas Maki

MAPAM Progressive Tehiya Rakah (Rakah)-Communist

Meretz Ratz-Citizens Rights Tzomet Sheli

Poalei Tziyon Shinui Yisrael United ArabBeiteynu

Rafi Kadima

Reshima Mamlachtit

Party History

Democracy

20

major political parties, number of mKs in the 16th Knesset

(the one that ended in march 2006) and a summary of their

political orientations

NAME ORIENTATION PERSONALITIESMANDATES16TH KN.

Meretz (Yahad or Ya'ad) Leftist, Secular Zionist Yossi Beilin, Yosssi Sarid, Ran Cohen 6

Labor Center-Left,Zionist Amir Peretz, Shimon Peres, Ehud Barak, Benjamin Eliezer 21

Shinui Center, Zionist, Capitalist Tommy Lapid, Avraham Poraz, Eliezer Zandberg 15+

Kadima Center-Right, Zionist, Populist Ariel Sharon *

Noy Center Right? David Tal 1#

Likud Right, Zionist, Capitalist, Benjamin Nethanyahu, Zionist Shaul Mofaz 40

National Union Extreme Right, Zionist Avigdor Lieberman, Benny Eilon 7

Yisrael Beiteynu Extreme Right, Zionist Avigdor Lieberman **

NRP Extreme Right, Zevulun Orlev(National Religious Party) Religious Zionist Nissan Slomiansky

Shaul Yahalom 6 ***

Shas Ultra-Orthodox Nissim Dahan;Yair Peretz;Center-Right, non-Zionist Shlomo Ben-Izri 11

Agudath Yisrael**** Ultra Orthodox, Right, non-Zionist Yakov Litzman, Meir Porush 3

Degel Hatorah**** Ultra Orthodox,non-Zionist, Dovish Moshe Gafni Avraham Ravitz 2

Hadash Communist Party of Israel, Muhamed Barakeh,Anti-Zionist ("Arab" party) Ahmad Tibi 3

National Democratic Anti-Zionist ("Arab"Assembly (Balad) party), progressive Azmi Bishara 3

United Arab List Anti Zionist ("Arab" party) Abdulmalik Dehamshe

includes Islamists Talab El-Sana 2

* Kadima party was formed in November 2005 and has no current representation in the Knesseth.14 Likud members including Ariel Sharon joined the party.

** Yisrael Beiteynu merged with National Union party

*** NRP currently has 4 members, as Effie Eitam and Yitzhak Levy left to form the more extremeright Renewed National Zionism Faction.

**** Joined together frequently as "United Torah Judaism = "Yahadut Hatorah"

+ Shinui currently has 14 members. Joseph Paritzky was ejected from the party for ethical violationsand formed the Zionism Liberalism Equality list

# David Tal broke away from the Shas party to join Amir Peretz's Am Ehad, then left Am Ehad when

that party merged with Labor.

16th Knesset

Democracy

21

National election Results for the 17th Knesset*

elections of march 28, 2006

Total Ballots: 3,186,739 Valid Ballots: 3,137,064 Defective Ballots: 49,675

Party Name Number of Votes Mandates

Brit Olam 2011Da-am - Workers` Party 3692Gil 185759 7 Green Leaf 40353Greens (Hayerukim) 47595Hadash 86092 3 Herut 2387Hetz 10113Ichud Leumi - Mafdal 224083 9 Kadima 690901 29 Labor-Meimad 472366 19 Lechem 1381Leeder 580Lev 1765Likud 281996 12 Meretz 118302 5 National Arab Party 738National Democratic Assembly 72066 3 National Jewish Front 24824New Zionism 1278One Future 14005Party for the Struggle With the Banks 2163Shas 299054 12 Shinui 4675Strength to the Poor 1214Tafnit 18753Torah and Shabbat Judaism 147091 6 Tzedek Lakol 3819Tzomet 1342United Arab List - Arab Renewal 94786 4 Yisrael Beitenu 281880 11

The qualifying threshold (2%) from all valid votes is 62,742 votes.The number of votes per mandate is 24,619.

Elections to the17th KnessetMarch 28, 2006

Democracy

1800 BCE

1290 BCE

1250 BCE

722 BCE

586 BCE

165 BCE

70 CE

711-1492

1096-1291

1211-1880

1806-

1871-

1882

1894

1897

1903

Abraham brings family to Canaan from Ur

Exodus from Egypt

Jews settle in Israel

Fall of the Northern Kingdom by Assyria;Ten Lost Tribes

Southern Kingdom and Temple destroyed by Babylonia; Jews exiled, move and return70 years later and rebuild Temple

Maccabees fight Greeks – Hanukkah storyLast Jewish kings

Romans destroy Second Temple; exile

Golden Age in Spain; Inquisition; Expulsionfrom Spain. Expulsions and violence againstJews in Europe

Crusades

Many Rabbis and scholars move to whatwould become Israel

Napoleon makes Jews citizens; can vote,attend university…

Period of intensive pogroms in EasternEurope; many Jews leave for Israel or USA

Many Yemenite Jews come to Palestine

Dreyfus Affair – Jewish officer in Frencharmy falsely accused of treason; great scandal about anti-Semitism

Theodor Herzl & first Zionist Congresspropose a Jewish State (Herzl traveled to many heads of European states to get support)

“First Aliyah” – large immigration to Israelfrom Europe

I assign the land you live in to you andyour offspring to come, all the land ofCanaan, as an everlasting holding.Genesis 17:8

When the Lord your God enlarges yourterritory, as He swore to your fathers,& gives you all the land that He prom-ised to give your fathers…Deuteronomy 19:8

Let them, however, regard themselves asguests in the Diaspora, their heartsdirected towards Israel…Talmud (Jewishlaw book completed around 500)

By the rivers of Babylon we sat andwept, as we thought of Zion. Psalm137:1

My heart is in the East…It would beeasy for me to leave behind all the goodthings of Spain; it would be glorious tosee the ruins (of Israel) Y. HaLevy, poet

Living in Israel is equal to the weight ofall the other commandments. Biblecommentary called Sifrei Re’eh 12:29

Return in mercy to the city Jerusalemand dwell in it as thou has promised;rebuild it soon, in our days…Jewishprayer book

Sound the shofar (ram’s horn), lift up the banner to bring our exilestogether & assemble us from thefour comers of the earth…Jewishprayer book

In your land (Israel) you can sit in safety, but you cannot live in safety in a strange land. Commentary onBible called Sifra

History

Jewish HistoryOverview

22

1904-1914

1917

1918

1919-35

1920,1929,1936

1935-39

1939

1939-45

1947

1948

1948

1956

1961

1967

1972

1973

1976

1978

1979-85

1981-82

1982

Second Aliyah – youth from Russia; morecommunities built

Balfour Declaration: British back Jewishhomeland idea

British Mandate: take over Israel fromOttoman Empire

Third Aliyah, Fourth Aliyah; Jews buyingmore land

Arab riots against Jewish inhabitants

Fifth Aliyah – German Jews trying toescape Nazis

White Paper: Britain limits Jewish immigra-tion to Palestine

6,000,000 Jews slaughtered in Holocaust;refugees caught trying to get to Israelreturned to Europe or put in camps

UN votes to create Jewish & Arab states

Jewish refugees from Europe, Syria, Yemen,all over world

Israel declares Independence; Arab nationsinvade Israel; Jordan expels Jews fromJerusalem

Suez War

Trial of Adolf Eichmann – Nazi leader sentenced to death

Six Day War – Israel defeats Arab forces;Jerusalem liberated; Sinai and Golan captured

11 Israeli athletes massacred at MunichOlympics by PLO

Yom Kippur War; Invading Arab armiesdefeated

Entebbe – Israel rescues hostages hijackedto Uganda

Peace treaty with Egypt; Sadat flies toJerusalem

Mass aliyah of Jews from Ethiopia

PLO terror campaign against Israel

Israel invades Lebanon to stop PLO terror

Next year in Jerusalem! Last line ofPassover seder

Next year in Jerusalem! Last line ofservice on Yom Kippur

Other countries won’t accept them

“A Jewish soldier in the JewishBrigade (Palestinian Jews in theBritish Army during World War II),was standing outside the barbed wirefence that circled the camp onCyprus. A very thin little boy wasstaring at him. The boy pointed to his torn, dirty shirt, to the Jewish Starthat the Nazis required Jews to wearas a sign of shame. The boy thenpointed to the Jewish Star insignia on the soldier’s uniform that identifiedhim as a proud member of the JewishBrigade. He grinned from ear to ear.He understood the differencebetween the two symbols that onlylooked the same.”

Israel, England, France, force Egypt to open Suez Canal

Jews can visit holy places again

History


23

24

1987-92

1987-92

1993

1994

1997

2000

2004

2005

2005

2005

2005

2006

2006

2006

2006

Intifada

Large numbers of Soviet Jews allowed to come

Oslo Agreement between Arafat (PLO) and RabinNot fulfilled by Arafat

Peace treaty with JordanPalestinian Authority created P.A. given authority over West Bank and Jericho

90% of Gaza and West Bank Arabs under Palestinian Authority

Arafat leaves negotiations at Camp David; launches terror campaign (EL AQSA intifada)

Death of Yasir Arafat

Election of Mahmoud Abbas

Sharon and Abbas renew peace process

Israel withdraws from Gaza

Ariel Sharon creates new political party: Kadima

Ariel Sharon suffers massive stroke

Hamas wins upset victory in Palestinian Legislative council elections

Ehud Olmert elected prime minister of Israel, heading Kadima Party

Hamas kidnaps soldier from inside Israel. Hezbollah kidnaps 2 soldiers and sends 4,000 rockets into northern Israel during one month warIsrael responds by targeting Hezbollah rocket sites in LebanonMany casualties on both sides.

History


25

History

Christianity

26

History

Islam

27

History

The JewishDiaspora

28

History

The MiddleEast JustBefore WorldWar One

29

History

The BalfourDeclaration

30

History

The MiddleEast BetweenWorld WarsOne & Two

31

History

TheHolocaust

32

History

United NationsResolution 181

History

United NationsPartition PlanFor Palestine1947(Resolution 181)

33

34

History

Creation of theState of Israel

35

The issue of what will happen to Palestinians who fled from Israel in 1948,

and since, is very sensitive. As a result of the implementation of the Oslo

Agreements, the Palestinian Authority’s control of the territories was

gradually phased in. Now 90%+ of the Palestinians in the territories live

in areas governed and administered by the Palestinian Authority. However,

because of the violence against Israeli civilians resulting from the second

Intifada that erupted in 2000, Israel has sent its army back into various

Palestinian towns which are centers for recruiting and equipping

suicide bombers.

The future of Palestinian refugees now living in Lebanon, Jordan, Syria, other

Arab countries and elsewhere is a problematic issue to be solved through

negotiations. These refugees now living in other countries and their children

and grandchildren want the right to live in a future Palestinian state. They

believe that their leadership has promised that they will obtain their

citizenship and that is why they have not been able to become citizens

and integrate into the countries where they live. (See map and chart

showing the destinations of the Arab refugees.)

Israelis say the Palestinian Arab refugees are not the only Middle Eastern

refugees created as a result of the Arab-Israeli conflict. Of the nearly

860,000 Jews who lived in Arab countries until 1948, only a few thousand

remain. Some 720,000 Jews from Arab lands were expelled.

Israelis say that if Arab countries had provided for Arab refugees from the

Arab-Israeli conflicts in the same way Israel provided for Jewish refugees,

they would now be well settled among their Arab brethren. Instead, Israelis

argue, the Arab countries decided to reject settling the refugees in their

countries in order to create impoverished refugee camps, supported by

funding from the United Nations, where feelings of hopelessness would

insure that rejection of the Jewish state would be passed from generation

to generation. Israelis further point out that if the descendants of all the

Palestinians who fled after the creation of the State of Israel were to return,

Israel would no longer be a Jewish state.

Some Palestinians and Israelis have suggested that the problem might be

addressed by recognizing the plight of the Palestinian refugees and giving

them some form of monetary compensation in recognition of their claims.

History

Difficult IssuesRefugees

36

History

Difficult IssuesRefugees:Jews Who Fledfrom Arab Lands:Movement to Israel1948-72

37

History

Difficult IssuesRefugees:The PalestinianArab Refugees1948

Restrictions On Jews in Moslem Countries

38

History

Restrictions onJews inMuslimCountries1948

39

History

EthiopianJews

40

History

Immigration to Israel

41

History


42

History


43

History


44

History

Israel1949 - 1967

45

coNFlIcT

War of

Independence

Six Day War

Attrition Battles

The October

War,or Yom

Kippur War

Lebanon –

Israeli response

to terrorism

The First Intifada

The Second

Intifada

DATe

1948

1967

1967-70

1973

1981-82

1987-93

2000-

present

oUTcome

Israel gained 20% more land than

U.N. partition allotted. Egypt

retained the Gaza strip, Jordan

captured the West Bank and

East Jerusalem.

Israel captured the West Bank,

East Jerusalem, the Golan Heights

the Gaza Strip, and all of the

Sinai Desert

Beginning of Israeli settlements in

West Bank & Gaza

Israel retained the territories

captured in 1967

Israel withdrew in 1985, but

maintained a military force

in southern Lebanon as a

buffer zone to prevent

terrorist incursions

Conflict ended with the Oslo

Agreement between Israel and

the PLO.

PLO to govern Palestinians in

the territories.

PLO govern Palestinians in

the territories

–Attrition Battles Between Wars, 1967-70

–The October War, 1973

–The Lebanese Invasion, 1982

–The First Intifada 1987-1993

–The Second Intifada 2000-present

PARTIcIPANTS

Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, &

Iraq attacked Israel

Egypt, Jordan, Syria, & Iraq

massed forces against Israel.

Israel launched preemptive strike

Jordanians, Egyptians, Palestinian

terrorists

Egypt and Syria attacked Israel

on its holiest day

PLO, Syria, Israel

Palestinians from the territories

2000 Camp David Peace

process ended as PLO launched

a terror campaign

History

DevelopingConceptsHistorical Context

46

History

Israel Today

47

History


48

RELIGIOUS AND ETHNIC LEADERS CONDEMNANTI-ZIONISM AS A FORM OF ANTI-SEMITISM

Over the years many religious and ethnic leaders have condemned the idea

that anti-Zionism is different than anti-Semitism. In fact, many religious and

ethnic leaders have come out strongly for the proposition that anti-Zionism

is a form of anti-Semitism.

The 18th International

catholic-Jewish liaison committee Joint Declaration (2004)

“As we approach the 40th anniversary of Nostra Aetate – the ground-breaking

declaration of the Second Vatican Council, the consequence of which repudiated

the deicide charge against Jews, reaffirmed the Jewish roots of Christianity

and rejected anti-Semitism – we take note of the many positive changes

within the Catholic Church with respect to her relationship with the Jewish

People. These past forty years of our fraternal dialogue stand in stark contrast

to almost two millennia of a “teaching of contempt” and all its

painful consequences. We draw encouragement from the fruits of our

collective strivings which include the recognition of the unique and unbroken

covenantal relationship between God and the Jewish People and the total

rejection of anti-Semitism in all its forms, including anti-Zionism as a more

recent manifestation of anti-Semitism.”

“We oppose anti-Semitism in any way and form, including anti-Zionism that

has become of late a manifestation of anti-Semitism.”

Statement from martin luther King, Jr.

“When people criticize Zionists, they mean Jews. You are talking anti-Semitism.”

–From “The Socialism of Fools: The Left, the Jews and Israel”

by Seymour Martin Lipset, Encounter Magazine, December, 1969, p. 24

History

Anti-Zionism

49

The stories in this lesson all illustrate something about Jewish life.

chana Bracha was the mother of Marilyn Dorff, one of the creators of

this curriculum. She was born in the Soviet Union in 1922, but things were

not good for Jews and she and her parents escaped in 1923, using a forged

visa. They hid in Poland for several years while waiting for a visa to Israel.

Different Jewish families housed them for months at a time. They rarely

went outside because they were terrified that the Polish police would find

them and send them back. Chana Bracha’s father had a son from a previous

marriage, but Mikhail was not allowed to leave with them. The family

emigrated to the United States in 1927, hoping to earn enough money to

pay bribes to get him out. But this never happened. They never saw him again.

Most of the Jews in the Mediterranean countries settled there when they

were expelled from Spain in 1492. The Jews in Syria and morocco

(Tangiers), like those in other Muslim countries such as Iraq and Iran,

sometimes lived well and sometimes suffered, depending on who was ruling

and how he felt about Jews. On page 3.36 you will find a list of some rules

that applied to Jews, limiting what they could do.

The tragedy of the Holocaust is an important part of Israel’s culture.

Many of the survivors came to Israel, and their children and grandchildren

keep their history alive. Others feel that if there had been a Jewish

homeland, 6,000,000 Jews would not have been massacred. In Denmark

and in some other places where people stood up to the Nazis and protected

the Jews, Jews escaped or survived the war. There are many stories of

Righteous Gentiles, non-Jews who risked their lives to save Jews. The

Holocaust Museum in Jerusalem has a beautiful garden where these heroes

are honored. Gay Block and Malka Drucker researched many of these

special people, thinking that they would find a pattern, something to help

us understand why these particular people saved lives. But they found none.

The Righteous Gentiles were all unique individuals, rich, poor, educated, not

so educated, religious, not so religious…we will read the story of one such

woman who saved children.

John Philips is a photographer who is not Jewish. He was in Israel in 1948

when the Jordanians forced Jews to leave the Old City of Jerusalem, where

many of them had lived for generations. He took photographs. In 1967,

after the Six Day War when Israel took back the entire city of Jerusalem,

the mayor, Teddy Kollek, invited him to come back and find the people he

had photographed. I hope you will read the first page of his introduction

to his book, A Will to Survive.

History

Personal StoriesChana Bracha

50

My mother, Chana Bracha, was born in a little town outside Kiev, five years

after the Russian Revolution. There was a short period of time when the

Soviet government allowed people to return to the place of their birth. My

grandfather had his papers forged to say he was born in Poland, so he, my

grandmother, and their infant daughter escaped to Warsaw. They lived there

for a number of years, staying with one Jewish family and then with another,

because they had no money and because they were afraid someone would

check their papers. Finally, Great Britain granted them a visa permitting

them to enter Palestine.

Chana Bracha was only 4 1/2 when she started kindergarten in Tel Aviv. Her

mother usually picked her up after school, but one day she was late. Tel Aviv

had more sand dunes than people in the 1920’s and many children walked

to school by themselves. When Ruthie invited her home that day, Chana

Bracha saw no reason not to go. She followed Ruthie up one street and

down another until they came to a house with a fence around it. Ruthie

went inside and promptly closed the door. Chana Bracha knocked and

knocked, but no one came to let her in. She decided she should go home.

Chana Bracha wandered through the streets and empty fields until she was

completely confused. A Jewish policeman saw her and asked if she needed

help. Hundreds of years of experience trying to survive in Europe had

taught the Jews to keep their distance from the police. Chana Bracha had

learned this lesson well, so she looked down at the ground and did not say

a word. He took her to the police station and changed out of his uniform,

but she knew this was a trick and still would not say a word. He offered her

a chocolate bar. Chana Bracha’s family had very little money and candy was

a rare treat. She was hungry and she loved chocolate, but she picked up a

nail from the floor and poked holes all over the candy bar. Fortunately, a

teacher from the school passed by, saw Chana Bracha and took her home.

Chana Bracha had not been in Palestine long enough to know that there

was such a thing as a Jewish policeman. She only knew that police, soldiers,

people in authority, could be dangerous to Jews.

This story had a happy ending. But even today, not all Jews live in places

where they are safe.

Throughout history, there have been Jews who kept gold coins or diamonds

handy in case they suddenly had to leave a country, even though Jews might

have lived there for a thousand years. One of the things that having a Jewish

state means to us is that Jewish children grow up in their own country

where Jewish police and Jewish soldiers and Jewish citizens protect the land

and all its people. And the Jews of Israel do not need gold coins or diamonds

to feel safe.

History

Personal StoriesChana Bracha

51

History

Personal StoriesA Will To Survive

52

The pictures I took in the Jewish Quarter of Jerusalem on May 28, 1948,

during the Israeli War of Independence, have given rise to some questions

I would like to answer.

People have expressed amazement that a Jew was able to photograph the

plight of the Israelis in the aftermath of their surrender to the Arab Legion.

What amazes me is that anyone would assume I must be Jewish to have

taken “such compassionate pictures.” No Jewish photographer could have

shot the pictures I did. The rampaging Arabs would have killed him. Being

a White Anglo-Saxon Protestant was no help either. Conditions were such

that anyone with a camera was considered a Jewish spy and promptly set

upon. I managed to get the pictures that illustrate this book only because

I was in the uniform of the Arab Legion. Mistaking me for a British officer,

the Arab populace left me alone – at first.

Aware that the sack of the Jewish Quarter would shock the western world,

Arab authorities across the Middle East tried to prevent the news from

leaking out. Jerusalem could not be mentioned under any circumstance.

A dutiful Cairo censor even wanted to blue-pencil every reference to

Jerusalem in the Bible of a departing tourist. I knew my pictures on the

agony of the Jewish Quarter would end up in a censor’s wastepaper basket.

I did not want this to happen and decided to smuggle them out of the

Middle East. There was some risk, but I took the chance. The record of what

really happened in Old Jerusalem on May 28, 1948, was saved for posterity,

should posterity care. Why would a gentile become embroiled in such a

conflict? I’d be lying if I sanctimoniously claimed that I was merely doing my

job as a representative of the free press. Through happenstance I had spent

most of my adult life recording violence, and editors were in the habit of

assigning me to violent stories. I was particularly interested in this conflict

because I was born in Algeria, grew up among Arabs and Jews, and have an

affinity for both.

My Algerian upbringing taught me what it feels like to belong to a minority

group. At the Petit Lycee Mustapha Superieur in Algiers I found out what

it meant to be called “a dirt Englishman,” how lonely and desperate you feel

when surrounded by a hostile crowd. I was held personally responsible for

Joan of Arc going to the stake. “You burned our saint!” a wild-eyed French

classmate screamed, kicking me in the face after I was down. The result was

a broken nose and a life long sympathy for minorities.

In Algiers I learned how Arab hostility for the Jews was encouraged by

French colonials. Politically Algeria was French territory; in fact it was as

colonial as Palestine, where I had a chance to observe “the Palestine

Problem” in 1943. In truth, the problem was a tragedy of promises made

to two peoples that were never kept.

History


53

History


54

History


55

History


56

Shabbat: Sabbath

History

Personal StoriesTheChildrenfromHaleb

Shaliach: Guide

57

History

Personal StoriesTheChildrenfromHaleb

58

History

Personal StoriesThe Saintly Sulekafrom Tangiers

59

History

Personal StoriesThe Saintly Sulekafrom Tangiers

60

History

Personal StoriesRescuers

61

History

Personal StoriesRescuersMarie Taquet

62

lower-left hand photo

History


63

lower-left hand photo

History


top photo

64

History


65

Name______________________

Use the culture Tree below to chart the main character from the story

that you just read. Write appropriate descriptions on the leaves, trunk, and

roots of the tree. Look at the example provided to help you. You may also

create a Culture Tree about yourself.

The leaves of the tree represent the cultural groups to which someone

belongs, such as gender, religion, age, and nationality. Examples include

woman, Catholic, teenager, married, African American, and Latino American.

The trunk of the tree represents cultural characteristics that are visible

to others such as physical traits and activities. Examples include speaking

English or Spanish, celebrating Thanksgiving, having curly hair, enjoying rap

music or sports.

The roots of the tree represent beliefs and values. Examples include

education, religion, family, independence, friendship, freedom, and trust.

History

Culture Tree

66

History

SampleCulture Tree

67

History

My CultureTree

68

Since 1948, much of the news from the Middle East has been about war

and terrorism. Israel fought in 1948, 1967, 1973. In 1978, after negotiations

at Camp David, Egypt’s President Anwar Sadat, made peace with Israel. In

1981, an Islamic terrorist assassinated Sadat. Egypt was also expelled from

the Arab League. Jordan made peace with Israel in 1994. To this day, no other

Arab states have made peace and the Intifada continues.

In the 1960’s, the Arab League created the Plo, the Palestine Liberation

Organization, to destabilize Israel by targeting civilians. In 1994, Israel agreed

to create a mini-state called the Palestinian Authority, and the PLO, which

was to rule this area, agreed to renounce terror attacks and crack down

on terrorism. The PLO has not done so.

Israeli responses to terrorism have been criticized by the world community,

especially in Europe. For example, Israel demolishes the homes of suicide

bombers to deter other attackers. Israel fires missiles from helicopters to

kill terrorists and sometimes bystanders also become casualties. Israel uses

checkpoints to restrict movement, even though innocent people are often

delayed. These techniques, which are all used by the U.S. Army in Iraq, have

deterred some suicide bombers and helped capture others, but still have

had limited success.

Jews place great value on peace and on the sanctity of life. They don’t

understand a culture that encourages and idolizes suicide bombers, that

applauds the murder of children on school buses, teenagers at a disco, families

celebrating a Passover feast, young people eating at a pizza restaurant. Israelis

want to end terror and create Palestinian and Israeli states with clear borders

and real peace. They are divided on how best to accomplish these goals.

Despite the terror, life goes on in Israel and many wonderful things happen.

Tel-Aviv was recently named one of the top 10 hi-tech cities in the world.

If you have AOL and use ICQ, you are using an Israeli-designed product. An

Israeli company patented the first vaccine against Alzheimer’s. An Israeli

hospital recently performed open-heart surgery on an Iraqi baby. The Israeli

invention of drip-irrigation for desert farming has changed agriculture

throughout the world. Israel invented a way to make ice cream out of

camel’s milk, a method that was quietly adopted in Arab countries. Israelis

love basketball and soccer, music and movies. Find articles about these

things too, and not just about terrorism!

Remember that unlike its Arab neighbors, Israel has a free press because

she is a democracy. Other countries in the area are not as fortunate. Even

a free press that tries to be fair and to present only facts can be biased

(more sympathetic to one side than the other) and not present all the facts

the same way. This happens even in the USA. It is important to learn how

to recognize propaganda, prejudice and erroneous reporting. It is

important to be exposed to different opinions, to do lots of reading and

ask lots of questions. It is important to judge things for yourself.

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Resources for Information About Israel

AIPAC: The American Israel Public Affairs Committeehttp://www.aipac.org

American Jewish Committeehttp://www.ajc.org/site/c.ffTK0OyFoG/b.843899/k.3FFD/Los_Angeles.htm

Bitter Lemonshttp://www.bitterlemons.org

Ha’Aretz Newshttp://www.haaretz.com

The Israel Projecthttp://www.theisraelproject.org

Israel Policy Forumhttp://www.israelpolicyforum.org

Israel 21Chttp://www.israel21c.org

The Israeli Consulate of Los Angeleshttp://www.israeliconsulatela.org

Jerusalem Center for Public Affairshttp://www.jcpa.org

The Jewish Agency for Israelhttp://www.jewishagency.org

The Jewish Federation’s Jewish Community Relations Committee (JCRC)http://www.jewishla.org/html/jcrc.htm

The Jewish Journalhttp://www.jewishjournal.com

JTA:Global News Service of the Jewish Peoplehttp://www.jta.org

Memrihttp://www.memri.orghttp://www.memri/videos.org

Stand With Ushttp://www.standwithus.com

Washington Center for Near East Policyhttp://www.washingtoninstitute.org

YnetNews.comhttp://www.Ynetnews.com

You may find other English language magazines and newspapers here in Los Angeles directed to the Jewish or Arab communities that live here.

Please note that many of these sources are produced in democratic countries with a free press, either the USA or Israel.

The two memri websites monitor reports in the Arab world.

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‘Iran 11’ Go Public

The families of 11 missing Iranian Jews are publicizing their plight and asking the United Nations

to help. The Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations and the Iranian

American Jewish Federation submitted a letter Tuesday to the U.N. secretary-general, asking him

to help discover the missing Jews’ condition and whereabouts. The Jews went missing up to nine

years ago after trying illegally to leave Iran, which has strict emigration laws for Jews. Until now,

their families preferred backroom dealings. Malcolm Hoenlein, executive vice chairman of the

Conference of Presidents, said they decided to go public because "there’s been no movement

all these years, so they really have nothing to lose."

Annan Blasts Fence

Kofi Annan says Israel’s security barrier could damage prospects for peace. The U.N. Secretary

General was reporting on Israel’s compliance with a General Assembly resolution that

demanded the barrier be dismantled. Routing the wall through parts of the West Bank, instead

of alongside it, "could damage the longer-term prospects for peace," Annan said in the report

released last Friday.

Jewish extremists Guilty

Two Israeli Jewish extremists pleaded guilty to weapons-related crimes as part of a plea

bargain. Yitzhak Pass, whose infant daughter was killed in 2001 by Palestinian terrorists, and

his brother-in-law, Matityahu Shvu, will not face charges that they planned to use explosives

found in their car for a terrorist attack. Israeli officials believe the two were part of a cell

of Jewish terrorists based in the West Bank settlement of Bat Ayin. The plea bargain was

announced Tuesday.

An online Guide to Restitution

The Claims Conference published an online guide to Holocaust restitution programs. The group’s

Compensation and Restitution at a Glance Chart now is available at the Claims Conference’s

homepage at www.claimscon.org. The guide provides a country-by-country breakdown of

current compensation and restitution programs and appropriate contact information. Information

on art and insurance policies relating to the Holocaust era and the Swiss banks settlement also

is included. "This online publication will aid Holocaust survivors and people working in agencies

that assist survivors in navigating the sometimes complex process of applying for compensation

and restitution," said Gideon Taylor, executive vice president of the Claims Conference.

Bush, let my People In!

U.S. Jewish groups are pressing President Bush to allow all 70,000 refugees slots to be filled this

year. The 22 groups from across the political spectrum said that fewer than 30,000 of the 70,000

slots have been filled during the past two years. "Our concern over the current status of the

U.S. Refugee Program is based on our core values as Americans and Jews," said a letter from

the groups dated Monday.

Arrest in Turkey Shul Bombings

Turkey arrested a man believed to have given the orders in one of the Turkish synagogue bombings.

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World Briefsfrom theJewish Journal12.05.03

71

The suspect, whose name was not released, is believed to be behind the attack on the Beth

Israel synagogue, one of two deadly attacks on Nov. 15. He was charged Saturday with treason,

which is punishable by life in prison.

london Synagogue Attacked

A London synagogue had its windows broken in what police are describing as a hate crime.

The Orthodox Edgware Synagogue was attacked with bricks after congregants left at the end

of Shabbat on Saturday. It is the second time this year the shul has been targeted.

Briefs courtesy Jewish Telegraphic Agency.

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To defend the existence, territorial integrity and sovereignty of the state of Israel.To protect the inhabitants of Israel and to combat all forms of terrorism whichthreaten the daily life.

Basic Points:

– Israel cannot afford to lose a single war.

– Defensive on the strategic level, no territorial ambitions.

– Desire to avoid war by political means and a credible deterrent posture.

– Preventing escalation.

– Determine the outcome of war quickly and decisively.

– Combating terrorism.

– Very low casualty ratio.

The operational level:

Defensive Strategy – Offensive Tactics:

Prepare for Defense

– A small standing army with an early warning capability, regular air

force and navy.

– An efficient reserve mobilization and transportation system.

Move to Counter-Attack

– Multi-arm coordination.

– Transferring the battle to enemy’s territory quickly.

– Quick attainment of war objectives.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) are the state of Israel’s military force. The

IDF is subordinate to the directions of the democratic civilian authorities

and the laws of the state. The goal of the IDF is to protect the existence of

the State of Israel and her independence, and to thwart all enemy efforts to

disrupt the normal way of life in Israel.

IDF soldiers are obligated to fight, to dedicate all their strength and even

sacrifice their lives in order to protect the State of Israel, her citizens and

residents, IDF soldiers will operate according to the IDF values and orders,

while adhering to the laws of the state and norms of human dignity, and

honoring the values of the State of Israel as a Jewish and democratic state.

Spirit of the IDF-Definition and origins

The Spirit of the IDF is the identity card of the IDF values, which

should stand as the foundation of all of the activities of every IDF soldier,

on regular or reserve duty.

The Spirit of the IDF and the guidelines of operation resulting from it

are the ethical code of the IDF . The Spirit of the IDF will be applied by the

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73

IDF, its soldiers, its officers, its units and corps to shape their mode of action.

They will behave, educate and evaluate themselves and others according to

the Spirit of the IDF.

The Spirit of the IDF draws on four sources:

1st. The tradition of the IDF and its military heritage as the Israel

Defense Forces.

2nd. The tradition of the State of Israel, its democratic principles, laws

and institutions.

3rd. The tradition of the Jewish People throughout their history.

4th. Universal moral values based on the value and dignity of human life.

Basic Values:

Defense of the State, its citizens and its residents – The IDF’s

goal is to defend the existence of the State of Israel, its independence and

the security of the citizens and residents of the state.

love of the Homeland and loyalty to the country – At

the core of service in the IDF stand the love of the homeland and the

commitment and devotion to the State of Israel – a democratic state that

serves as a national home for the Jewish People – its citizens and residents.

Human Dignity – The IDF and its soldiers are obligated to protect

human dignity. Every human being is of value regardless of his or her origin,

religion, nationality, gender, status, or position.

The Values:

Tenacity of Purpose in Performing Missions and Drive to Victory – The IDF servicemen and women will fight and conduct themselves

with courage in the face of all dangers and obstacles; They will persevere in

their missions resolutely and thoughtfully even to the point of endangering

their lives.

Responsibility – The IDF serviceman or woman will see themselves as

active participants in the defense of the state, its citizens and residents. They

will carry out their duties at all times with initiative,involvement and diligence

with common sense and within the framework of their authority, while

prepared to bear responsibility for their conduct.

Credibility – The IDF servicemen and women shall present things

objectively, completely and precisely, in planning, performing and reporting.

They will act in such a manner that their peers and commanders can rely

upon them in performing their tasks.

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Personal Example – The IDF servicemen and women will comport themselves

as required of them, and will demand of themselves as required of them, and will

demand of themselves as they demand of others, out of recognition of their

ability and responsibility within the military and without to serve as a deserving

role model.

Human Life – The IDF servicemen and women will act in a judicious and safe

manner in all they do, out of recognition of the supreme value of human life.

During combat they will endanger themselves and their comrades only to the

extent required to carry out their mission.

Purity of Arms – The IDF servicemen and women will use their weapons and

force only for the purpose of their mission, only to the necessary extent and

will maintain their humanity even during combat. IDF soldiers will not use their

weapons and force to harm human beings who are not combatants or prisoners

of war, and will do all in their power to avoid causing harm to their lives, bodies,

dignity and property.

Professionalism – The IDF servicemen and women will acquire the professional

knowledge and skills required to perform their tasks, and will implement them

while striving continuously to perfect their personal and collective achievements.

Discipline – The IDF servicemen and women will strive to the best of their

ability to fully and successfully complete all that is required of them according

to orders and their spirit. IDF soldiers will be meticulous in giving only lawful

orders, and shall refrain from obeying blatantly illegal orders.

Comradeship – The IDF servicemen and women will act out of fraternity

and devotion to their comrades, and will always go to their assistance when

they need their help or depend on them, despite any danger or difficulty, even

to the point of risking their lives.

Sense of Mission – The IDF soldiers view their service in the IDF as a mission;

They will be ready to give their all in order to defend the state, its citizens

and residents. This is due to the fact that they are representatives of the IDF

who act on the basis and in the framework of the authority given to them in

accordance with IDF orders.

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In the PressJuly 31, 2003

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In the PressJerusalem Post

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The best way to know about a country is to be there. Since we can’t

arrange that, we wanted you at least to meet some Israeli teenagers.

You will see that each one is special in his or her own way.

You will probably find that they are very much like American teens.

However, living in Israel means that they serve in the armed forces after

high school, before college, and this makes their lives very different.

Everyday, they live with the possibility of another terrorist attack.

Israel’s teens live in a free country, where no one discriminates against

Jews, and where they can argue with each other and with the government

without fear.

The ethnic foods, that I hope you will enjoy, represent the wide spectrum

of cultural backgrounds that make up the people of Israel and help to make

the Holy Land such an incredible place.

Israel is a fascinating, ancient land. Come visit!

In the meantime, you might want to check out

1. www. israelimages.com

2. jafi.org.il/education/100/places/index.htm

They are fun websites.

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Introduction

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Introduction:

The four students you will meet are members or the Tel Aviv Student

Forum. Established in 1999 by the Tel Aviv-Los Angeles Partnership, the

Forum brings together students from various cultural, religious, and

economic backgrounds. Twice a month, they meet to confront what divides

and unites them as Israeli Jewish teenagers.

Song:

Shalom, salaam, peace. Shalom, salaam, peace.It’s possible here, not only in Paris, or in Nice, or Abba Badis.

Discos full of people, everyone’s dancing ‘cause everyone’s happy.

Smiling, working, singing, saying shalom.

Because there’s shalom, salaam, peace.

Shalom, salaam, peace. Shalom, salaam, peace.

It’s possible here, not only in Paris, Tunis, or Nice, Nice, Nice.

We have to spread love around.

Student Introductions:

Sasha: We immigrated to Israel in 1991, when I was six years old. I live

with my mother, grandfather, and grandmother. My father lives in Russia. My

parents divorced when I was two. My grandfather was born in an Orthodox

home. He lived in a Jewish town where many religious Jews lived. His father

studied in a heder. But in Russia, we didn’t observe Jewish traditions. You see,

my father isn’t Jewish; he’s Christian. He wears a cross and goes to church.

When I’m in Russia, I can go with him to church.

Shlomi: I believe in God, without connection to…Obviously, being born

to a religious family makes believing easier for me, but it doesn’t mean that

I didn’t choose for myself. Each day, I choose whether or not to believe. The

quality of my relationship with my parents, in my opinion, you can ask them

later if you want, is very high. It has nothing to do with being a teenager. It’s

my normal behavior. Being a teenager may affect some things, like the music

I listen to or the performances I go to.

Na’ama: To be Jewish is not a religion. Judaism is a nationality, a culture.

Traditions, customs, values…it’s everything but religion. When I first got

involved in the connection to Los Angeles and the Partnership, I was rather

antagonistic. Slowly I realized that in part, the purpose of the forum is to

demonstrate patience towards unfamiliar things. So I demonstrated lots

of patience towards the whole thing.

Yaki: Growing up in Jaffa isn’t like growing up in Tel Aviv. It presents a

slightly different world, with different goals. It shapes your character differently.

Shalom, Salaam

Peace: Shalom is the

Hebrew word for peace.

Salaam is the Arabic word for

peace.

Heder: a Jewish school

commonly found in Eastern

Europe in the 1800’s and

early 1900’s.

Jaffa: a primarily Arab city

adjacent to Tel Aviv

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DistantFriends VideoTranscript

84

You see tough things related to violence, crime, and drugs. They used to say

that the army discriminates between people coming from Jaffa and people

form other areas. In my opinion, that’s not true. It’s proven untrue. I have

to bring Asaf home from kindergarten almost every day. When he comes

home, he usually watches TV and when that’s done, I have to keep him busy.

He knows I’m his big brother. When you have a small brother, you have to

take responsibility and watch him, especially if your parents aren’t always

home. Because he’s very mischievous you have to watch him carefully. I

understand that responsibility.

A Day in the life:

Sasha: I live in Ariel which is about 40 kilometers east of Tel Aviv. I get

up at 5:40. I quickly do whatever I have to do.

Shlomi: We begin prayers at 7:30 until 8:15; we take a short break and

begin our morning studies, mainly the Talmud and Bible.

Sasha: I’m in a science class. We study computers, physics, and mathematics.

Yaki: I’ve got my homework and my exams. Twelfth grade is very difficult.

I hardly have time for friends.

Na’ama: The Bagrut more or less sum up the knowledge gained from the

time you begin school, particularly what you’ve learned during the last two

or three years.

Sasha: In Russian, in computers, in computers, in computers. Three

different kinds.

Shlomi: Social Studies, History, Bible.

Na’ama: English, Physics, Chemistry, Speech…nine altogether. Some are

divided, so it’s a bit more.

The Army:Yaki: Being drafted to the army’s a bit scary. You go through some tough

procedure in the induction center.

Shlomi: We discuss the army and the draft quite often. It’s logical for

Israeli youth to be preoccupied by the subject.

Na’ama: I really believe that this is my way to serve this country, and to

join those who for 50 years defended and did everything possible to make

sure that this state continues to exist.

Talmud: volumes about

Jewish law written down by

Rabbinic scholars around

500 C.E.

Bagrut: mandatory exams

taken by all Israeli high

school students.

The Army: In Israel, all

Jews are required to serve

in the Israeli army after

graduating from high school.

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Shlomi: We don’t want to die, but if there’s no choice, we’ll die for our

country. For ages, Jews and Israelis died so that the Jewish nation could

survive. I certainly don’t hope to become one of them, but if it happens,

as unpleasant as it is, sometimes there’s no choice.

Na’ama: I think that girls with good physical capabilities should be given

the same opportunities as boys. This doesn’t mean that the standards should

be lowered. The standards should be identical.

Shlomi: I’d like to in a combat unit. After high school, I’m less interested

in studying computers. I’d rather be in infantry or take one of the tougher

courses. I don’t know. Whatever I get.

Sasha: I don’t see myself in combat. I have a responsibility towards my

family. I think I can contribute more to the army in the area of computers

or intelligence than in combat. All in all, girls can’t contribute so much

in combat.

Shlomi: We’re not like the U.S. where the draft isn’t mandatory. Here

everyone has to contribute, otherwise we won’t survive.

The Territories:Sasha: I don’t mind crossing the Green Line. I enjoy it and I believe that

I’m doing the right thing.

Na’ama: I’d never live over the Green Line. Ideologically I believe these

territories don’t belong to us and should be returned so the Palestinians

can establish a state.

Sasha: I think it’s right, because it unites my country and the territories

which I believe belong to me…to my country. At the start of the October

riots, the Intifada al-Aqsa, I was frightened. I didn’t sit next to the window

on the bus. I’d sit next to someone taller than me. If I had to sit next to

the window, I’d hold my bag like this. Of course, it wouldn’t help if I were

shot at. I couldn’t fall asleep on the bus, but that passed. Besides, everything

is safe here.

Terrorism:

Sasha: In 1996, here on Dizengoff Street, a suicide bomber blew himself

up. Thirteen people were killed. Their names are here.

Na’ama: Three of the girls killed, Dana, Hadas, and Bat Chen were from

my school. It was awful.

The Territories: In 1967,

Israel’s neighbors suddenly

attacked, triggering the Six

Day War. In defending her

borders, Israel captured land

that had been annexed to

Syria and Jordan. Ownership

of this land is still disputed.

These areas are commonly

referred to as the West Bank

and the Golan. (Sinai and

the Gaza Strip were also

captured, but they have been

returned to Egypt.)

The Green line: the

border dividing the original

border of Israel and the

territories in 1967

Intifada al-Aqsa: the

violent conflict between Israelis

and Palestinians that began

in 2000, characterized by

Moslem suicide bombers

and Israeli retaliation

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86

What We Do:

Shlomi: Of course, parents worry. These are worrisome times. You worry

when you see something suspicious. You think about it then you say to

yourself, “It can’t be.” Generally, I don’t feel frightened.

Sasha: I can go to the beach. I can stay and go somewhere at night.

Shlomi: I was at a Cranberries and an Alanis Morissette performance.

Na’ama: Dance, mostly.

Yaki: Action movies, suspense.

Sasha: Vodka.

Yaki: Girlfriend? Not right now.

Na’ama: The same kind of music you hear.

Shlomi: Iron Maiden, Guns and Roses, Nirvana.

Yaki: I mostly listen to MTV and Israeli music. Israeli music characterizes

the country. It has nothing to do with religion.

(Song) She said: look life’s pretty easy. We’ll rent a room in Tel Aviv and

live like grown ups.

The Holocaust:

Yaki: A delegation from our school goes to Poland almost every year.

They visit certain sites that survived the Holocaust. To me, being a Jew is

remembering whatever happened to our people. This is what constitutes

your religion, nationality, and faith. It’s important for me to know so I can

protect my people and make sure that this never happens again.

Shlomi: Every year a siren goes off at 10:00 a.m. on Holocaust Memorial Day.

Shabbat Shalom:

Shlomi: My mother lights candles, then all the boys, sometimes my mother

or sisters, come with us to the synagogue, for the evening prayers. When we

return we sing Sabbath songs. We bless the food and eat. We discuss the

Bible, because it’s the Sabbath, we say grace and go to sleep.

Na’ama: For us, Shabbat means rest. A day of relaxation. We don’t have to

travel to Tel Aviv. There’s no pressure. You don’t care about when you’ll get

there or when you’ll return. Besides that, we spend lots of time together.

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87

Yaki: My father goes to synagogue. Truthfully, I seldom join him.

Sasha: We don’t observe the Sabbath customs. We don’t light candles.

Yaki: We watch TV, we write. We don’t observe all the customs. Some yes

and some not.

Jews Here, Jews There:

los Angeles

Shlomi: I think that the relationship between Jews in Israel and in the

Diaspora is important to the Jews in Israel because it gives them strength,

and to Jews in the Diaspora, because it strengthens their bond with this

country, with their roots, and with Judaism.

Sasha: I think it would be nice of them to come and live here. The more

the merrier.

Na’ama: It’s hard for me to see people living overseas who don’t intend

to…People who visit once or twice during their lifetime, even if they donate

money or declare themselves Zionists, it’s still hard for me to consider them

Zionists. It’s not like someone who lives here, serves his country and

endures the daily hardships and fears.

Sasha: The saying, “All Jews are responsible for each other” means a lot

to me. It teaches me about the past. How Jews stood by one another and

about the future, how much we need one another. That we must hold on

to each other and help another.

What Is Israel? Who Is A Jew?

Sasha: I think that the State of Israel is more than a refuge from

anti-Semitism. Like the French live in France, the Spanish in Spain. Jews

live in Israel.

Shlomi: I’d be very happy if ninety percent of the people suddenly decided

they want to live in a state governed by Jewish religious law. I’d accept it

gladly. In my opinion, it’s a good thing. In a religious state, the Sabbath would

be like Yom Kippur. No one would travel.

Na’ama: If this were a religious state, I’d run away not only because it

doesn’t suit my lifestyle, but because I don’t want to live in a country whose

laws are based on laws written 2000 years ago, in which a woman’s status

is inferior.

Yaki: Jewish doesn’t necessarily mean religious. It means Jewish roots,

history, language, culture…not necessarily religion.

Diaspora: Jews who live

outside the land of Israel such

as the United States

Zionists: People who sup-

port the existence of an inde-

pendent Jewish homeland

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88

Sasha: I agree with Yaki. I think that religion and state should be separated.

The Reform Jews are okay, they can do what they want. As far as I’m

concerned, they aren’t religious. I consider you (Shlomi) religious. I don’t

consider them religious.

Na’ama: In my opinion the Reform Jews are as legitimate as the OrthodoxJews. What does it mean “I consider them religious…?” Everyone has his

own religious truth.

Shlomi: They decide that my truth isn’t right and that their truth is right.

Na’ama: Why the contest?What does it mean, your truth is right, mine isn’t?

Shlomi: That’s the way it is.

Na’ama: Hold on, is my truth the same as yours?

Shlomi: No.

Na’ama: So why isn’t it okay for me to have my own truth?

Shlomi: Like Sasha says, you have no truth as far as religion is concerned.

Yaki: I don’t understand that definition. What Na’ama is saying is that each

person has the right to live according to his beliefs. If someone says he’s

non-religious, no matter how he behaves, as far as he’s concerned, he’s

non-religious. If I believe in God and I say I’m religious, then as far as I’m

concerned, I’m religious. You don’t have to think so, nor do you have to

think so. I live the way I want to live. I’ll do what I want to do. I’ll believe

or I won’t. I am what I am.

Sasha: Na’ama has a problem because I don’t consider them Jewish…religious.

Na’ama: First of all, how can you judge them and say they’re not Jewish?

Sasha: You’re judging me. Don’t people judge people?

Na’ama: I don’t have the right to tell you or ask why you’re Jewish.

Reform, orthodox:

Judaism has denominations

including Reform, Conservative,

Reconstructionist, and

Orthodox. Jewish law,

theology, and practice are

defined differently within

these denominations. In

Israel, the Orthodox rabbis

have political power and

control. The other movements

are fighting for acceptance.

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89

Sasha: I don’t tell them. I tell myself. I look at Shlomi and at a Reform Jew,

and I say to myself this is a religious person, and this isn’t. I don’t go around

saying: “Hey, you’re not religious.”

Na’ama: The beauty of all religious groups, just like in Judaism, is that

everyone can choose to observe whatever he wants. He’s Jewish because

he considers himself Jewish. If he considers himself religious, so be it. If

things were like that here, I’d go to synagogue. Although I’m not a believer,

I’d go to learn.

What’s Next?:

Yaki: Five years from now, I can imagine myself at university, probably

studying computers. But everything can change. I’m not sure I want to study

computers. I’ll see, I don’t know, everything can change.

Na’ama: Ten years from now, I’ll find myself in the middle of my PhD.

A PhD, ten years from now, sounds logical, doesn’t it? Or, I’ll suddenly decide

to leave university and travel or live in some forsaken hole in the Negev

Desert and become a tour guide. I have no idea what I’ll be.

Shlomi: I don’t know where I’ll be ten years form now. I hope I’ll be married.

Maybe I’ll have a child. I don’t know what I want to study or what profession

I want. I have no idea.

Sasha: I might want to live elsewhere, outside of Israel. Maybe in New

York. I think it’s an amazing city. I was there and I loved it. I want to study

at a university in France. I might even want to return to Russia. But I don’t

think I’ll feel at home there. Here I feel at home.

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Since Jews came to Israel from all over the world, all kinds of food are served inhomes and restaurants, including Mexican, Chinese, Moroccan, Yemenite, Ethiopian,Polish, Iraqi, Russian…

Most of the foods listed below are available in supermarkets, especially in Jewishneighborhoods. There are also many small kosher markets in Los Angeles. Forinstance, the Kosher Klub is located on the north side of Pico Blvd., just west of San Vicente, before La Brea. Some items will be available in Moslem stores.Spellings will vary! An * indicates that a recipe is attached.

Breads

Pita

Jachnun

Malawah

Bagels

Challah or egg bread (can buy frozen dough and bake at school)

Dips

Tahina (can) (sesame seed)

*Schug – hard to find

In refrigerator section:Hummus

Cream cheese with salmon, etc.

Babaganoush (eggplant with mayo)

Eggplant salads, Turkish eggplant salad

Miscellaneous

In freezer:Chopped liver

Knishes – assorted kinds

Kugels – *noodle, potato; also available in boxes

Chicken soup with matzah balls and noodles – or in cans

*Apple strudel

Kubeh

Barekas – potato, spinach, mushroom

Blintzes – cheese, potato, cherry, blueberry

Falafel balls – or make from a boxed mix

Falafel – spice fried chickpea balls – boxed mix, sometimes available frozen.

Served in pita with Israeli salad and tahina poured over it

*Salata – Israeli chopped salad

*Cholent

Israeli chocolate and cookies

Sunflower seeds, in the shell

Dried figs, dates, apricots

*Hamantaschen – triangular filled pastries, available at bakeries

Israeli snacks such as Bamba, Bisli

People

Israeli FoodFair

91

ScHUG – spicy! You will need rubber gloves, food processor, etc.

2 cups hot green peppers

1 clove garlic

1 tsp. black pepper

1. Clip stems of peppers – wear gloves! Avoid contact with eyes!

2. Mix with other ingredients in food processor.

SAlATA – ISRAELI CHOPPED SALAD

6 ripe tomatoes

6 cucumbers, peeled

1-2 tbs. chopped onion

1 tbs. olive oil

1. Mix lemon juice, onion, oil, spices, and sugar to taste. Dressing should be

tangy and on the tart side.

2. Dice tomatoes and cucumbers.

3. Pour dressing over tomatoes and cucumbers. Let sit 15-20 minutes.

NooDle KUGel – oven, 9x13 baking pan (disposable?), large pot, colander

8 oz. wide noodles boiled until tender,

but firm

4 tbs. melted butter or margarine

1 cup soft cream cheese

1/2 cup sugar

1/2 cup milk

Topping: mix 1 cup corn flake crumbs, 1 cup brown sugar, 1/4 cup

melted butter

1. Follow directions on package for cooking noodles. Rinse and drain.

2. Using large bowl, combine all the other ingredients. Add noodles.

3. Pour into greased pan. Sprinkle with topping.

4. Bake uncovered at 350˚ for about an hour, until lightly browned.

2 tsp. cumin

1/2 tsp. coriander

1-1/2 tsp. salt

juice of 3-4 lemons

1/2 - 11/2 cups sugar – to taste

1-2 tbs. salt – to taste

dash garlic powder, pepper

1/2 cup milk

1 cup sour cream

2 cups small curd cottage cheese

6 eggs

1 cup raisins

People

Recipes

92

BlINTZ cASSeRole – oven, large casserole dish

3 boxes frozen cheese blintzes

5 eggs beaten

3 tbs. sugar

2 tsp. vanilla extract

1. Let blintzes defrost.

2. Melt butter or margarine in casserole dish.

3. Line the dish with a single layer of blintzes.

4. Blend eggs, sugar, vanilla, salt and pour over blintzes.

5. Sprinkle with sugar and cinnamon.

6. Bake at 350˚ for 30-45 minutes. It will puff up. Eat right away!

APPle STRUDel – cookie sheet, waxed paper, oven

Filo dough (frozen)

4 large, tart apples peeled and cored

1/2 cup sugar

1 tsp. cinnamon

1 egg

dash cloves

This is probably enough filling for 2 batches.

1. Let Filo dough defrost.

2. Cut apples into small pieces.

3. Mix apples with sugar, spices, lemon juice, raisins, 2-3 tbs. crumbs.

4. Follow directions on box for working with Filo dough. Use 5-6 leaves of

dough for each batch, brushing a little butter and some crumbs in-between

each layer. If you put the leaves on waxed paper, it will be easier to roll it

up afterwards.

5. Spread some of the apple mixture along one edge of the dough.

6. Carefully roll up, like a jellyroll, tucking in the ends. Brush egg on top and

sprinkle with sugar and cinnamon. Place on greased cookie sheet.

7. Brush top with egg and bake at 350˚ for 30-40 minutes, until brown.

8. When cool, slice into pieces. Great served warm with ice cream!

1/2 tsp. salt

1/4 cup melted butter or margarine

sugar and cinnamon mixed

2-3 tbs. lemon juice

1/2 cup bread crumbs

melted margarine or butter

1 cup of raisins, 1/2 cup chopped nuts

sugar and cinnamon mixed

People

Recipes

93

HAmANTAScHeN – rolling pins, something to cut circles of dough,

cookie tray

4 eggs beaten

1 cup oil

1 cup sugar

1 tsp. vanilla extract

1/2 tsp. almond extract

1. In large bowl, combine all ingredients except for flour.

2. Add flour gradually until dough feels soft and spongy, not sticky.

3. Roll out on floured surface until 1/4 inch thick.

4. Cut out 3-4 inch circles, using glass or cup.

5. Place some filling in center. Pinch sides of circle together to form triangle.

6. Place on lightly greased cookie sheet. Bake at 375˚ 20-25 minutes, until

lightly browned.

Fillings:

Solo brand (in cans) has apricot, poppy seed, plum, cherry.

Any canned pie filling or prune or apricot butter.

You can add chocolate chips or orange peel to a filling.

cHoleNT – crock-pot, cheesecloth - This cooks for 24 hours!

2 large onions sliced – fried in oil?

6 potatoes, cut in half

1 cup dry lima beans

1. If you have a frying pan, brown the onions in oil first.

2. Put onions, cut-up potatoes, rinsed limas, spices (be generous), and meat

into crock-pot.

3. Put rinsed barley in center of large piece of cheesecloth. Sprinkle with

more seasonings before loosely tying the corners of the cloth. Place on top

of ingredients in crock-pot.

4. Cover with water.

5. Turn on crock-pot and gently simmer for 24 hours. If water boils down,

you might have to add a bit, but the crock-pot is pretty good about

retaining water.

3/4 cup pearl barley

1 lb. stew meat, optional

salt, pepper, garlic powder, paprika

1 tsp. baking powder

1/4 tsp. salt

4-5 cups flour (more?)

extra flour to roll out dough

People

Recipes

BibliographyHoly Land Democracy Project

Antler, Joyce. The Journey Home.Simon and Schuster Adult Publishing Group, 1997.

Bahat, Dan and Sabar, Shalom. Jerusalem. Rizzoli International, 1998.

Bard, Mitchell. Myths and Facts: A Guide to the Arab-Israeli Conflict. American Israeli Cooperative Enterprise, 2002.

Bard, Mitchell. The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Middle East Conflict.Alpha, 2002.

Bayme, Steven. Understanding Jewish History: Texts and Commentaries. Ktav Publishing House, 1997.

Bellow, Saul. To Jerusalem and Back: A Personal Account.Penguin Classics, 1998.

Blech, Benjamin. The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Jewish History and Culture.Alpha, 1998.

Blech, Benjamin. The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Understanding Judaism. Alpha, 1999.

Collins, Larry and LaPierre, Dominique. O Jerusalem!. Simon and Schuster Adult Publishing Group, 1988.

Dershowitz, Alan. The Case for Israel. Wiley, John and Sons Inc, 2003.

Hazony, Yoram. The Jewish State. Basic Books, 2001.

Heschel, Abraham Joshua. The Sabbath.Farrar, Straus, and Giroux, 1975.

Hoffman, Lawrence. The Land of Israel: Jewish Perspectives.University of Notre Dame Press, 1986.

Kedar, Benjamin. The Changing Land Between the Jordan and the Sea.Wayne State University, 2000.

I

Bibliography

Kukoff, Lydia and Einstein, Stephan. Introduction to Judaism: A Sourcebook.UAHC Press, 1999.

Lewis, Bernard. The Jews of Islam. Princeton University Press, 1990.

Oren, Michael. Six Days of War: June 1967 and the Making of the Modern Middle East. Ballantine Books, 2003.

Prager, Dennis and Telushkin, Joseph.

The Nine Questions People Ask About Judaism. Simon and Schuster Adult Publishing Group, 1986.

Rosenthal, Donna. The Israelis.Free Press, 2003

Sachar, Howard. A History of Israel from the Rise of Zionism to our Time.Random House Inc, 1996.

Sharansky, Natan. Fear No Evil. Public Affairs, 1998.

Strassfeld, Michael and Sharon. The First and Second Jewish Catalogs.Jewish Publication Society, 1974.

Strutin, Michal. Discovering Natural Israel. David Jonathan Publishers Inc, 2001.

Troy, Gil. Why I Am a Zionist: Israel, Jewish Identity and the Challenges of Today. BPR Publishers, 2001.

Wertheimer, Jack. A People Divided.Basic Books, 1994.

II

Bibliography





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