Declaration — One School’s Approach
Pressman Academy in Los Angeles, part of CIE’s Day School Initiative, has graciously shared its Megillat HaAtzmaut and accompanying, grade-specific lesson plans for exploring Israel’s Declaration of Independence at Yom Ha’Atzmaut.
Reading of Megillat HaAtzmaut: Israel’s Declaration of Independence
Slides for a community commemoration
Discussion Before Reading:
• Why do the Jewish people need a homeland?
• What does it mean to have a homeland?
• What should be said in Israel’s Declaration of Independence?
• Listen to the reading to see if your predictions are correct or what is different.
Discussion After Reading:
• What did you notice about your predictions?
• What was the most important part to you about the megillah?
Related Topics:
• Biblical connection of Jews to the Land of Israel
• Diaspora
• History of Zionism
• Holocaust
• United Nations
• Jewish-Arab relations
• Challenge of democracy in a Jewish state
• Jewish prophetic values of freedom, justice and peace
• Exile and redemption — Galut v’Geulah
For detailed lesson plans for Grades 3 to 8, click here.
Megillat HaAtzmaut learning focus by grade:
• 3rd Grade: Connection to the land; exile from the land; prayers about the Land
• 4th Grade: Zionism; antisemitism and the Holocaust
• 5th Grade: British Mandate; United Nations; David Ben-Gurion
• 6th Grade: Freedom, justice and peace; challenge of equality
• 7th Grade: Arab-Israeli relations
• 8th Grade: Exile and redemption
Use this slideshow to accompany your lessons:
• 3rd Grade: Slides 1-18
• 4th Grade: Slides 19-29
• 5th Grade: Slides 30-40
• 6th Grade: Slides 41-51
• 7th Grade: Slides 52-62
• 8th Grade: Slides 63-70