I2:
Memorial & Independence Days

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Introduction

- Try and think of a time when you had to wait absolutely ages for something you wanted, whether it was a new computer or exam results or to see a good friend who lives in another country. Wasn't it a fantastic feeling when you finally got what you'd been waiting for? Ask for people to call out examples of when they had to wait for a long time for something they really wanted, and to say how long it was until they got it. Ask if it was worth the wait, or were they disappointed after building their hope up over a long period of time? Once they got what they were waiting for, did anyone try and take it away from them?

- Now read out the introduction on the front page. Highlight 2 points: 1 that the Jews had to wait 2,000 years for their homeland (probably a bit longer than any of the examples called out to you!); and 2 that after waiting so long for their State, they could have lost it immediately when the 5 countries attacked them.

- For an example of someone's feelings at finally getting their homeland back, see the front page of Book 4, chapter 4. You could read this out after people have given their examples of their own experiences. How does this compare?

A Silver Platter

- Read out the Chaim Weizmann quote. Ask if anyone can guess what he meant by that. After a few people have given their interpretations, use the second and third sections of this chapter to explain it.

- Now ask if the State wasn't presented on a silver platter, what was it "presented" (or perhaps "built") on? It is likely that someone will include the fallen soldiers in their answer. If not, try and tease this answer out.

- Now read the poem The Silver Platter from the back page. After reading it once through, re-read from "Silently the two approached…" until "…fall in shadow at the nation's feet." Ask what the poet was trying to say. Is it obvious? Was he right to say that, or is it a bit over the top? Ask if anyone thinks that this contradicts what Weizmann said. If so, who is correct, Weizmann or Alterman? Are they both right?

Everyone's Connected

To highlight the point that in Israel almost everyone is affected by a military tragedy, ask for a show of hands of who has any friends that either live in or come from Israel. Ask them to keep their hands in the air, and for anyone who has an Israeli parent to also stick their hands up. Again, ask them to remain with their hands up, and to be joined by anyone who has any relative that lives in or comes from Israel. They can then be joined by the hands of anyone else who knows anyone that lives in or comes from Israel. The chances are, that there will be quite a few hands up in the air. Emphasise that if there are that many people just in your school who have some connection to Israelis, then think how many Jews all over Britain also have a connection. Even more so, if so many Jews in this country have family or friends who live in or come from Israel, then how many connections must those Israelis have with each other? This is why the entire country is affected by any tragedy - because nearly everybody knows somebody who was involved.

N.B. - it is not a good idea to ask if anybody knows someone who was killed in an Israeli military tragedy, as it could upset more than you realise.

Out of Sight, NOT Out of Mind

- After reading information from the first 5 paragraphs of this chapter, ask for a show of hands who thinks that Yom Ha'Zikaron should only be marked in Israel. Ask for another show of hands for those who think it should be marked by Jews all over the world. Why should we commemorate Israel's Memorial Day if we do not live there? Israelis don't wear poppies on Remembrance Sunday after all.

- After hearing a few responses to the above questions, explain the Talmudic saying "Kol Yisrael arevim zeh le zeh." What does it mean? Why is it such an important part of being Jewish? Ask if anyone disagrees and why. Try and come up with some practical examples of how this works.

- One way which you can mark Yom Ha'zikaron at your school, is by having a Memorial Day ceremony (instead of Jewish assembly that week). It is not too difficult to put a short ceremony together, and you can use some of the readings in this chapter, or contact Makor-AJY on 020 8446 8020 for a wide range of suitable readings and ready made ceremonies.

- Whatever you chose as your readings, a candle should be lit at the beginning and Yizkor read out:

May G-d remember the valiant men and women who braved mortal danger in the days of the struggle to establish the State of Israel, and the soldiers who fell in Israel's wars.

May the people of Israel keep them in their memory; let them mourn the splendour of youth, the unselfishness of valour, the dedication of will and the dignity of self-sacrifice which came to an end on the battlefield.

May the loyal and courageous heroes of freedom and victory be sealed forever within the hearts of all Israel.

The Hatikvah should be sung at the end (the words can be found on Book 4, chapter 4).

- Alternatively, 5 of you could act out play in Book 3, chapter 4, which is about Israel's fallen soldiers.

- OR - simply read out the story of one soldier who died whilst trying to defend Israel If you read out the story in this chapter of Baruch Shapiro, then it is powerful enough to stand on its own. At the most, ask for people's reactions to the story and if they understood why the father insisted on singing.

Birthday Celebrations

- We have used birth and birthdays throughout this chapter to describe Israel's independence. So, why not hold a birthday party for Israel on Yom Ha'atzmaut? If you asked your year head, or even the head-teacher, you may get permission to use a room at lunch-time to hold a small celebration for the school's Jewish pupils. Book 1, chapter 7 has lots more information about Independence Day, and even has suggestions as to how to celebrate it.

- If you get in touch with the JAMS office, they may even be able to put you in touch with someone who was in Israel when independence was declared, who could come and tell their story.

- However you choose to celebrate this great day in your school, think about decorating the room with bunting of Israeli flags, and having Israeli music playing in the background (both of these can be borrowed from Makor-AJY).

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