Israeli Identity and Society Through Music and Pop Culture
Dance along as waves of Jewish immigration mix with indigenous traditions to create a unique culture reflecting a world of Jewish and non-Jewish influences across Israel’s diverse society.
Israel curriculum primarily focuses on Israel and not on Jewish studies or Jewish history. Of course, the context of modern Israel history or Israel studies evolves from the Jewish past. Here we are focusing on Zionism and Israel for formal and informal education settings. The following component elements are provided:
• Key curated essentials
• Self-learning, on-demand units
• Age-appropriate curriculum guides
• Teaching outlines and lesson plans
• Suggested terms, ideas and concepts
• Research bibliographies
• College syllabi
• Weekly Torah portion
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:…
Declaration Activity: A Look Back
This video, prepared as Israel approached its 73rd birthday in 2021, incorporates multiple perspectives on the previous year. Have members of your class, in small groups or collectively, create a similar video addressing the highs…
Happy Israel Independence Day 2021! (20:21)
CIE asked friends and experts in the field of Israel Studies to discuss the challenges and successes of the State of Israel in this past year, and to reflect on the coming year. Below, we…
The Israeli Political System
Elections, Parliament, Political Culture, Prime Ministers, Parties and the Voting Public Israel has a parliamentary system of government with some unusual features in the elections and the creation of multiparty ruling coalitions, as explained by…
Hebrew enrichment resources that celebrate Israeli life and culture
Integrating Israeli culture into your Hebrew learning and practice is not something we need to abandon in this time of social distancing. Here are several resources and suggestions for learners to keep Hebrew language skills sharp while exploring a variety of aspects of Israeli society.
Games for Israel Learning
Games and activities are great tools for learning about Israel which can be fun for the whole family. The games we present here touch on a number of different topic areas: Geography, Tanakh, history, politics,…
Israel Trip Enrichment Alternatives and Resources
As schools and organizations are being forced to rethink their Israel travel programs, CIE is here to help with this set of resources that will bring Israel to your learners.
Using Israeli Banknotes as an Educational Tool
In November 2012, the Bank of Israel announced that a new series of banknotes was in the final stages of design. The first new banknote since 1999, the NIS (New Israeli Shekel) 50 was put…
Israel: A Curriculum for Grades 2-7
Curriculum (one-year license)
- 27 lessons grouped in eight units: Jewish Connection to the Land; Zionism; People and Places; Institutions; Culture; Israel’s Place in the World; State Building; Jewish Holidays & the Jewish State
- Each lesson contains multiple activities for different grade levels
- Lessons and activities include primary source materials, photographs and maps
Educator-Created Lesson Plans
The following items are lesson plans on specific areas related to Israel, all of which were shared by participants in CIE’s educator workshops from 2012 to 2014. “Hatikvah” — Background/History of “Hatikvah” The creation of…
Community and Experiential Learning
For educators or program planners, this section provides engaging programs for enhancing Israel learning for different age groups and audience sizes. They can be adapted for use at home or as part of a family…
Volunteering and Israel’s State Building
E-book
Volunteerism and social action are core values in the Jewish culture and helped shape the development of the State of Israel. This learner’s guide contains background information from unique primary source texts, photographs from Israel’s history, biographical sketches of Israelis who put values into practice.
- Suitable for learners 8th grade and up
- 33-page learners guide
- Learn why volunteering was essential to the Jewish state’s establishment
- Develop an understanding of why supporting one another remains a core value in Israel
- Perfect for individuals, groups or classes
Israel and the Jewish Nation: Part 1
E-book
Covering the foundations of Judaism and the history of the Jewish people, the unit starts with the ‘covenants’ and ends in 1897. It traces the Jewish connection to the land of Israel, in the land and in exile. It explains how and why Jews retained their traditions in the face of enormous challenges. It concludes with the birth of Zionism as one answer to Jewish insecurity.
- Suitable for learners 9th grade and up
- The first of four planned units covering Israel and the Jewish Nation
- 37-page teacher guide
- 78-page student workbook
- Covers the foundations of Judaism and Jewish people starting with the ‘covenants’
- Learn how and why the Jews retained their traditions in the face of enormous challenges
- Explore the connection to the land of Israel and the birth of Zionism
Sephardi Jewry and the Land of Israel
E-book
Join special guest curriculum contributor Dr. Yaron Ayalon and the CIE Curriculum team as they take you and your students on a riveting adventure through the lives of the Sephardi and Mizrahi Jews of Southern Europe and the Middle East. Explore the differences between Sephardi and Ashkenazi cultures, and discover the great wealth of knowledge and spirituality of the Sephardi Jews. Utilizing maps, photographs, primary documents, an extensive timeline and even a recipe for a traditional Sephardi dish, this book is the perfect introduction to Sephardi Jewry for the individual learner or in a classroom setting.
- Suitable for learners 9th grade and up
- Maps, Photographs, Primary Documents, Extensive Timeline
- Perfect for individuals, groups and classes
- Develop an understanding of the differences between Sephardi and Ashkenazi Jewry
Arts and Culture Grades 3-5
Background/History of HatikvaThe creation of the State of Israel must be understood in the context of Jewish history Building the State Before the State: Keren Hayseed Posters, 1942Participation in community requires certain obligations and duties….
