I7: Jerusalem

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Yom Yerushalayim (16/5/96 & 4/6/97)

On or around Jerusalem Day (see overleaf) is an ideal time to run a programme about Jerusalem. Following are some suggestions for a formal assembly as well as other ideas.

Formal Assembly

- Read out, or adapt, the section entitled 1948: A City Divided. Ask different people to read the quotes of Ben Gurion and King David.

- Try to get the use of a slide or overhead projector from your school. Show slides or transparencies of pictures and images of Jerusalem as a backdrop to the assembly. Time the changeover of pictures with different readings. Contact your local Makor for pictures.

- Read out a brief description of the war and the affects it had on Israelis, Diaspora Jews, Arabs and the rest of the world. You could have four people dressed in four different outfits to represent each group and describe their reactions to the war in a personal way.

- Tell the story of the song Yerushalayim Shel zahav. Play a cassette of the song (contact JPMP again!) or sing it with the assembly. If you are intending to all sing it, it is vital that you hand out the Hebrew words with a transliteration and a translation so everyone can join in.

- Read the story of the two brothers and talk about the centrality of peace in Judaism. Describe how Jerusalem, even in name, is a representation of this.

- Give a brief speech about what makes Jerusalem so special to every Jew. Explain why it is meaningful to you.

Perspectives

- Open the subject of personal visions of Jerusalem. Ask the group to call out any word or phrase that they associate with Jerusalem, such as stone, holy, ancient, wall, peace. Write them on the board. Ask people to explain why they use that word.

- Hold up some postcards or pictures of Jerusalem and ask which one means the most to members of the group. In a more informal setting, they can choose one of the pictures you have shown and explain what it means to them. Try and get a wide selection of images: old markets, the Old City walls, the Temple Mount, the alleyways, the Chasidim, the Arabs - as well as the more contemporary shots - soldiers, shopping, discos and modern housing estates.

Debates

Prepare in advance. Classic format: two for, two against. Choose your own issues for debate about Jerusalem or try one of these:

- This house believes that only Jews should live in Jerusalem.

- This house believes that Jerusalem should be 'given back' if it leads to peace.

- This house believes that every Jew in the world should come and visit Jerusalem.

Discussion: God and Us

- What effect does praying have on our lives? Does it change things? Does it make us feel better? Does it make us be honest about ourselves? Why do we often mention Jerusalem in our prayers? (Rebuilding Jerusalem is a sign of our renewed relationship with God)

- How can humanity have a relationship with God? What does the idea of Jerusalem being a corridor between heaven and earth really mean?

- If God fills the whole world, how could we focus our prays on one place, namely Jerusalem. Does this limit God? Why do we need a point of contact?

Guest Speakers

Invite someone to talk about the Six Day War. Maybe someone who actually lived through it - whether they were in Israel or not - and how they felt about it.

Logos

If you are doing a lunchtime programme, maybe you could ask to use the art department if you can use a room. Bring materials and get the group to design logos for Jerusalem. Something that can go on holiday brochures, travel magazines and maps.

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