Makom Israel https://makomisrael.org/ The place for challenging Israel education Thu, 12 May 2022 07:57:00 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://makomisrael.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/cropped-fav-1-32x32.jpg Makom Israel https://makomisrael.org/ 32 32 “HaTikkun” by Gon Ben Ari and Salomé Shapira https://makomisrael.org/hatikkun/ https://makomisrael.org/hatikkun/#respond Wed, 09 Feb 2022 07:38:23 +0000 http://makomisrael.org/?p=16092 “HaTikkun” is a powerful song performed by Salomé Shapira and written for her by Gon Ben Ari, with whom she performs. Gon is a wild phenomenon — part modern-day Merry Prankster, part guru, part mystic, part hipster. His music is stream-of-consciousness meditations on life with strong psychedelic and kabbalistic overtones. The title and refrain of […]

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“HaTikkun” is a powerful song performed by Salomé Shapira and written for her by Gon Ben Ari, with whom she performs.

Gon is a wild phenomenon — part modern-day Merry Prankster, part guru, part mystic, part hipster. His music is stream-of-consciousness meditations on life with strong psychedelic and kabbalistic overtones.

The title and refrain of this song, “HaTikkun,” is a word with too many senses to capture in a single English word: the repair, reconciliation, restoration.

We did our best to translate his untranslatable lyrics, but of course much of the wordplay got lost along the way.

We hope the song works its magic on you nonetheless.


1.

Why should I go down into a human body

With all these demeaning rules it must obey?

I’ve got no good reason to take that risk

Other than for hatikkun —

 

1.

אני למה לי לרדת לגוף

?לחוקים המביישים אליהם הוא חשוף

לא רואה סיבה טובה לקחת את הסיכון

אלא בשביל התיקון

 

Taking leave of myself to become myself     

Where sanity is a hair apart from madness

Forever chained to this hoax, lacking color

Only for hatikkun —

להיפרד מזהות, כדי לפתח זהות

איפה ששפיויות מופרדות רק בקו אחד דק של טירוף

להיות אינסוף נעול בבלוף הזה: שחסר לי גיוון

— רק בשביל התיקון

The angels ask: Have I gone nuts?

Why open yourself to openness? To the opposite of sanity?

They warn me: There’s no winning and no opting out

But every threat they throw my way 

Turns out to be another spur

Through the tunnels of hatikkun —

?מלאכים שואלים: השתגעתי

למה לגלות אל הגלוי? אל ה-היפך משפוי

מזהירים: אין שם פרסים ו״לא בא לי״

כל איום שהם יתנו

מתבהר כעוד דירבון

– אל מחילות התיקון

If I forgot and took crap to heart

If I became or made an enemy 

If I became a poseur as a defense mechanism

If I traded in my compass for Waze

If I hid my burning candle away

Play that tune for me from any speaker you can find 

To remind me of hatikkun —

Ri di di di di di di

Ri di di di di di di

אם שכחתי ולקחתי שיט ללב

אם נהייתי, או נהייה לי שם אויב

אם פיתחתי איזו פוזה – כאמצעי מיגון

אם וויתרתי על מצפן בשביל הווייז

אם הסתרתי את הנר כשהוא דולק

שים באיזשהו רדיו בסביבה שלי את הטיון 

— שיזכיר ת׳תיקון 

רי רי רי רי רי רי

 2

Why constrict myself, from limitless water into blood 

Into a world so determined to conceal that I once was

And hallow all that is fire, each flirtation with the void

Because only there flashes hatikkun —

2

?למה לצמצם את עצמי מהמים – ל-דם

בעולם שנחוש להסתיר שהיה אני פעם

ומקדש כל מה ש-אש — כל פלרטוט עם האיון

— כי רק שם מציץ התיקון

In a sickly space, in the corset of time

Torn between years, and between “there” and “here”

With a schizophrenic passion: To build a balance and then knock it down

All this just for hatikkun —

בחלל חולני, במחוך של הזמן

חתוכה בין שנים, ובין ״שם״ ובין ״כאן״

עם תשוקה סכיזופרנית: לבנות ואז לשבור איזון

– רק לכבוד התיקון

Our spirits gossip about what I’ve heard:

So they wouldn’t drown, he gave them conscience

So there’d be a way to float upon the water

In the middle of a typhoon 

Peeking out from the siphon

Toward the darkening sea of hatikkun —

הרוחות מרכלות מה שמעתי:

כדי שהם לא יטבעו, הוא זרק להם מצפון

שיהיה איך לצוף על המים

באמצע הטייפון

מציצה מהסיפון

– אל חשכת הים של תיקון

If I threw out a rose because it had thorns

If I forgot how to want what people want

If I passed without a past from the “undefined” to refined 

If I somehow stopped working — on myself

By getting lost in the details 

Someone pick up a guitar and strum me a tune

The kind that calls to mind hatikkun —

Ri di di di di di di

Ri di di di di di di

Dai lai lai lai lai

אם זרקתי שושנה כי יש קוצים

אם שכחתי איך רוצים מה שרוצים

אם עברתי בלי עבר מהלא-מוגדר אל המיון

אם הפסקתי איכשהו לעבוד — אותי

בנימוק של ה״לרדת לפרטים״

שירים מישהו גיטרה, ויתן בבקשה ניגון

— כזה שמזכיר ת׳תיקון

 

רי רי רי רי רי

3

And here I am, somehow a human being

I’ve believed and I’ve not believed 

But with every heart that breaks I go back to training 

In the mazes of hatikkun —

3

והנה, איכשהו אני אדם

האמנתי פה – לא האמנתי שם

אבל כל לב שנשבר לי, חזרתי לאימון

— במבוכי התיקון

I got to see the roof of the cellar

Where to touch you must be touched 

Touching from two places – in the same direction

To the sound of the roars of hatikkun —

זכיתי לראות את גג המרתף

איפה שצריך להיות מלוטף כדי ללטף

ולגעת משני מקומות – באותו כיוון

לקול שאגות התיקון

We age without meaning to

Checking in from time to time: What did you do with tikkun?

I’ve become cold and melodramatic

Until I stopped believing anymore

In the work of restraint

Of fire out of the waters hatikkun  —

 והגיל מתחלף אוטומאטי

תחנות של האבחון: מה עשיתן בתיקון

כבר נפלתי ל-קר ודרמטי

עד שאיבדתי כל אמון

במלאכת הריסון

– של אש ומימי התיקון

So this distance is unbearable

So I’ve asked to quit the game

So YouTube keeps recommending I hear some song

And it’s perfect

אם כבר אי אפשר לשאת את המרחק

וביקשתי כבר לצאת מהמשחק

והיוטיוב שוב ממליץ על איזה שיר

וזה בא בול

And I can almost just about remember

– spring, oasis, desert, a different world –

So you write it down yourself, a song that goes well with a smoke

And reminds us of hatikkun  —

 

Ri di di di di di di

Ri di di di di di di

Dai lai lai lai lai

 ואפשר כמעט, בערך, להיזכר

– מעיין נווה מדבר עולם אחר –

אז את כותבת בעצמך, שיר שהולך טוב עם עישון

ומזכיר ת׳תיקון: —

רי רי רי רי רי

There is no other name in the world so One

One by One

GOD 

One by One

How many infinities are there?

One by One

And his signs

Fire

One by One

Ri di di di di di di

Ri di di di di di di

Dai lai lai lai lai

אין בעולם שום שם כל כך אחד

אחד אחד

אל

אחד אחד 

?כמה אינסופים יש

אחד אחד

וסימניו

אש

אחד אחד

רי רי רי רי רי

Now to ease the fear

You have to show it the light

This is returning, teshuva — and whoever returns

Knows already where she’s going

כאן כדי להרגיע את הפחד

חייבים להראות לו ת׳אור

זו תשובה — ואותה מי ששבה

כבר יודעת לאיפה לחזור

The post “HaTikkun” by Gon Ben Ari and Salomé Shapira appeared first on Makom Israel.

]]> https://makomisrael.org/hatikkun/feed/ 0 Reflections on Tu Bishvat https://makomisrael.org/reflections-on-tu-bshvat/ https://makomisrael.org/reflections-on-tu-bshvat/#respond Sun, 16 Jan 2022 18:21:24 +0000 http://makomisrael.org/?p=16043 By Rabbi Joe Schwartz This Sunday night and Monday marks Tu Bishvat, the 15th of the month of Shvat. The holiday is mentioned in the Mishna (c. 200 C.E.) and marks the beginning of the calendar year for calculating tithes (in essence, taxes) on fruit. Those accustomed to the seasons in Europe and North America […]

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By Rabbi Joe Schwartz

This Sunday night and Monday marks Tu Bishvat, the 15th of the month of Shvat. The holiday is mentioned in the Mishna (c. 200 C.E.) and marks the beginning of the calendar year for calculating tithes (in essence, taxes) on fruit. Those accustomed to the seasons in Europe and North America tend to think of the winter months as a time of deadness. Think of T.S. Eliot, for whom winter is “dead land,” “dull roots,” and “forgetful snow.” But in the Land of Israel, when rain falls only from Tishrei (September / October) through Nisan (March / April), the wet winter months are a time of blossoming. Citrus trees are in flower right now. 

When the Jews lost contact with the agricultural cycle of the Land of Israel, the holiday of Tu Bishvat fell out of use. However, following the Spanish Expulsion in 1492, when mystically-inclined Jews began to return to the Land of Israel, there was a renewed interest in this all-but-forgotten holiday. The circle of mystics who gathered around Rabbi Isaac Luria (1524-1572, known by the acronym “Ha’ari” or “Arizal”) gave renewed attention to the holiday. It was they who established the “Tu Bishvat Seder” which many celebrate today.

One of the more striking dimensions of Jews’ return to the land of Israel is the renewed relevance of an ancient calendar ordered specifically around this land, and the rediscovery of linkages between traditional Jewish liturgy and the land’s agricultural cycles. Outside of the land of Israel, Jews pray for rain at the end of the summer months — during which, depending on where they live, there may have been many summer rain showers. Here, however, by the time Sukkot comes around the land is parched and the fields yellow. Not only Jews, but the land itself prays for rain. The realignment between Jewish time and nature following on the return to the land of Israel is one of the reasons for the revival of interest in Tu Bishvat.

Another is the metaphoric power of the figure of trees (in Modern Hebrew, Tu Bishvat is known as “Chag Ha’ilanot”, the Holiday of Trees). Trees drive their roots deep into the earth. The tree becomes as much a part of the landscape as the hills and streams. Zionism was a movement that sought to do the same for the Jews. We would not just return to the land of Israel; we would re-root ourselves in the land, fusing ourselves body and spirit with the land itself. It is this poetic resonance, perhaps, that accounted for some of the appeal of the Jewish National Fund’s efforts to afforest much of the land it acquired. In the 120 years since the JNF has been in existence, it has planted hundreds of millions of trees all over Israel.

Planting trees in the Gilboa mountains, c.1960

In recent years, however, there has been a reconsideration of the JNF and its activities, on the basis of two considerations. First, it is not clear that Israel can support the amount of trees it planted or some of the non-native species, such as pines, the JNF introduced. The destructive forest fires that swept across the north of Israel in 2010, 2016, and 2021 have been attributed to over-forestation and highly combustible pines. Second, the JNF acquired land for the benefit of Jewish settlement — a purpose in tension with Israel’s non-discrimination laws. And the JNF operates across the Green Line, a practice opposed by stakeholders who would like to see all construction across the Green Line cease. 

These controversies are useful background for a fascinating short video produced by Beit Avi Chai and Israel Museum, “Point of View,” on the shifting meanings of this holiday in Israeli culture over the past century. (Be sure to click on CC to see the English captions).

The metaphoric (mystical?) link between trees and human beings is the subject of a magnificent poem by the late poet Natan Zach (1930 – 6 November 2020), whose first Yahrtzeit was observed this past November. Taking as his starting point a phrase found in Deuteronomy 20:19 — “is a tree like a man?” — Zach plays out the many concordances between himself and a tree. Here, to be a tree is not, as in the imagination of the early Zionists, to stand tall and erect, deeply rooted in the soil. Instead, for Zach, it is to be mortal, combustible, thirsting, and ever aspiring. You can hear Zach himself reading his poem:

And here is the song set to music by Shalom Hanoch:

“For Man is a Tree of the Field”

For man is a tree of the field:

Like man, a tree, too, flourishes.

Like a tree, man is cut down.

And I do not know

Where I have been, or where I shall be

Like a tree of the field.

For man is a tree of the field:

Like a tree, he reaches upward.

Like man, he burns in fire.

And I do not know

Where I have been, or where I shall be

Like a tree of the field.

For man is a tree of the field:

Like a tree, he thirsts for water.

Like man, he remains thirsty.

And I do not know

Where I have been, or where I shall be

Like a tree of the field.

I have loved and I have loathed,

I have tasted of this and that.

I am buried in a plot of dust,

And it is bitter, bitter in my mouth.

Like a tree of the field.

Like a tree of the field.

כִּי הָאָדָם עֵץ הַשָּׂדֶה

כְּמוֹ הָאָדָם גַּם הָעֵץ צוֹמֵחַ

כְּמוֹ הָעֵץ הָאָדָם נִגְדָּע

וַאֲנִי לֹא יוֹדֵעַ

אֵיפֹה הָיִיתִי וְאֵיפֹה אֶהְיֶה

כְּמוֹ עֵץ הַשָּׂדֶה

 

כִּי הָאָדָם עֵץ הַשָּׂדֶה

כְּמוֹ הָעֵץ הוּא שׁוֹאֵף לְמַעְלָה

כְּמוֹ הָאָדָם הוּא נִשְׂרָף בָּאֵשׁ

וַאֲנִי לֹא יוֹדֵעַ

אֵיפֹה הָיִיתִי וְאֵיפֹה אֶהְיֶה

כְּמוֹ עֵץ הַשָּׂדֶה

 

כִּי הָאָדָם עֵץ הַשָּׂדֶה

כְּמוֹ הָעֵץ הוּא צָמֵא לְמַיִם

כְּמוֹ הָאָדָם הוּא נִשְׁאָר צָמֵא

וַאֲנִי לֹא יוֹדֵעַ

אֵיפֹה הָיִיתִי וְאֵיפֹה אֶהְיֶה

כְּמוֹ עֵץ הַשָּׂדֶה

 

אָהַבְתִּי וְגַם שָׂנֵאתִי

טָעַמְתִּי מִזֶּה וּמִזֶּה

קָבְרוּ אוֹתִי בְּחֶלְקָה שֶׁל עָפָר

וּמַר לִי מַר לִי בַּפֶּה

כְּמוֹ עֵץ הַשָּׂדֶה

כְּמוֹ עֵץ הַשָּׂדֶה

 

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]]> https://makomisrael.org/reflections-on-tu-bshvat/feed/ 0 In Memory of Yoram Taharlev (January 24, 1938 – January 6, 2022) https://makomisrael.org/in-memory-of-yoram-taharlev/ https://makomisrael.org/in-memory-of-yoram-taharlev/#respond Sun, 16 Jan 2022 09:35:46 +0000 http://makomisrael.org/?p=16022 By Rabbi Joe Schwartz There is a tradition in Israel not to throw books away. When there’s no longer room for a book in our crowded homes — any book — we donate it or place it in one of the bookshelves on the boulevards or parks or train stations; at worst, we leave it […]

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By Rabbi Joe Schwartz

There is a tradition in Israel not to throw books away. When there’s no longer room for a book in our crowded homes — any book — we donate it or place it in one of the bookshelves on the boulevards or parks or train stations; at worst, we leave it on a bench where others will come across it. So it was that two months ago I found a pile of children’s books on my block. I brought them home and read them to my children.

One immediately won us over with its simple sweetness and charm: “My Aunt from the Street of the Prophets” (הדודה שלי מרחוב הנביאים) is a story told in rhyming verse about a woman in Tel Aviv “who loved children most of all.” When her first child, Yirmiyahu (Jeremiah) feels lonely, she decides he needs a sibling. And so it goes: For every problem her children face, she devises the same solution — another child. Each new child (named, of course, Isaiah, Samuel, Amos, and so on) brings only greater chaos. And yet the woman can only dream of having more. It was such a winning book that I immediately had to look up its author, Yoram Taharlev.

It turned out that this book, a perfect little masterpiece, was the least of Taharlev’s creations. Born in Kibbutz Yagur in 1938, Taharlev began to write when he was only seven years old and never stopped. He became an Israeli institution, an author not only of books (70!) but, by his own count, of over 1000 poems and lyrics as well. Many of his songs are among the most beloved in Israel.

He also took a keen interest in Jewish themes, though he was not a religious Jew. Many of his books and songs explored Jewish themes, and he wrote a weekly column for Ynet (which he also recorded) on the Torah portion.

Only a few months ago, a new project — Ya’aleh Va’yavo — was completed, celebrating Taharlev’s contribution to Israeli music. Contemporary Israeli artists recorded many of his best-loved songs, and also recorded themselves in conversation with Taharlev about the stories behind the music. It can be found here.

HaKufsa (@הקופסה) has compiled a massive playlist of Taharlev’s music: on Spotify and on Apple Music.

He has been eulogized by the Prime Minister, the President, and media figures. But here are lines Taharlev himself wrote (from “I Had a Brother, I Had a Friend”), fitting for the epitaph of a man who gave us so much, but never tired of giving more:

To the place where I am going
Many have gone before me.
They left a path, they left trees,
They left stones for my feet—
But what shall I leave after me?
Will I leave anything at all?
I cannot see my footprints!
I cannot see my footprints,
And who will see them tomorrow?
במקום שאליו אני הולך
היו רבים כבר לפני.
השאירו שביל, השאירו עץ,
השאירו אבן לרגלי,
ומה אני אשאיר אחרי,
האם אשאיר איזה דבר?
איני רואה את צעדי!
איני רואה את צעדי,
ומי יראה אותם מחר?

The post In Memory of Yoram Taharlev (January 24, 1938 – January 6, 2022) appeared first on Makom Israel.

]]> https://makomisrael.org/in-memory-of-yoram-taharlev/feed/ 0 2022 Schedule for Makom’s Israeli-Palestinian Conflict Education Course https://makomisrael.org/engaging-with-the-israeli-palestinian-conflict-online-program-for-jewish-educators/ https://makomisrael.org/engaging-with-the-israeli-palestinian-conflict-online-program-for-jewish-educators/#respond Wed, 12 Jan 2022 12:44:28 +0000 http://makomisrael.org/?p=15561 At Makom, we’re committed to creating innovative and multidimensional educational frameworks that respond to educators’ needs. 2021 saw us successfully launch “Exploring Settlements, Territories, and Green Lines” – a new online education course on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. In early evaluation findings by Rosov Consulting, participants from our first three cohorts shared that they felt they […]

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]]> At Makom, we’re committed to creating innovative and multidimensional educational frameworks that respond to educators’ needs.

2021 saw us successfully launch “Exploring Settlements, Territories, and Green Lines” – a new online education course on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. In early evaluation findings by Rosov Consulting, participants from our first three cohorts shared that they felt they had gained new knowledge and understanding, even when they came to the course with extensive prior familiarity with the content. Almost all felt strongly that they gained an ability to incorporate new ideas into their own educational programs. Participants also noted that they felt comfortable sharing their thinking and perspectives on various issues.

Our 2022 Schedule:

All sessions will run from 12:30-2:30pm Eastern / 9:30-11:30 am Pacific: 

  • Cleveland  Community, Educators and Professionals (full): Tuesdays, January 18, February 1, 15; March 1, 15, 29, April 12, 26
  • Professionals working with teens and young adults: Wednesdays, March 9, 23, 30; April 6, 20, 27; May 11, 18
  • Congregational School Teachers and Youth Group Leaders: (three-part mini-course): Sundays, December 4, 11, 18

For more information, contact the Program Manager, Danny Weininger:  DannyW@Jafi.org

We have a set of dates reserved in the Fall/Winter 2022 for a local cross-organizational cohort – if you’re interested in finding out more, please contact Danny at DannyW@Jafi.org

 

 

 

 

 

The post 2022 Schedule for Makom’s Israeli-Palestinian Conflict Education Course appeared first on Makom Israel.

]]> https://makomisrael.org/engaging-with-the-israeli-palestinian-conflict-online-program-for-jewish-educators/feed/ 0 Introducing Makom’s New Director, Rabbi Joe Schwartz https://makomisrael.org/introducing-makoms-new-director-rabbi-joe-schwartz/ https://makomisrael.org/introducing-makoms-new-director-rabbi-joe-schwartz/#respond Thu, 25 Nov 2021 17:52:09 +0000 http://makomisrael.org/?p=15868 We’re excited to welcome Rabbi Joe Schwartz as Makom’s new director. Rabbi Schwartz succeeds Abi Dauber Sterne, who is leaving the role to study at the Beit Midrash for Israeli Rabbis, jointly run by the Shalom Hartman Institute and the Midrasha in Oranim. Rabbi Schwartz, who made Aliyah from Brooklyn, NY in 2020, comes to […]

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]]> We’re excited to welcome Rabbi Joe Schwartz as Makom’s new director. Rabbi Schwartz succeeds Abi Dauber Sterne, who is leaving the role to study at the Beit Midrash for Israeli Rabbis, jointly run by the Shalom Hartman Institute and the Midrasha in Oranim.

Rabbi Schwartz, who made Aliyah from Brooklyn, NY in 2020, comes to Makom with a rich background. A trained attorney, Joe received his ordination from the Ziegler School of Rabbinic Studies.

He has worked as a synagogue rabbi, written curricula and taught for diverse audiences, and most recently launched his own venture, which seeks to strengthen ties between Israelis and world Jewry by leveraging vital Jewish culture both in Israel and abroad.

“I could not be more excited to take the reins of Makom, an innovative and forward-thinking leader in Israel education. The Jewish Agency has historically been invaluable in forging ties between world Jewry and Israel. I myself first came to Israel in my teens on a Jewish Agency program, and I am deeply honored to be able to play a part in helping it fulfill that mission in our challenging times.”

Shivi Greenfield, Chief Strategy Officer of The Jewish Agency, expressed his excitement about this new hire as well.

“Over the last few years, as we’ve seen Israel education only become more complex, Makom has developed several new projects and approaches to support educators in engaging young American audiences and recently launched the Institute for Global Jewish Voices to bring a deeper understanding of global Jewish life to Israel through the education system. We are excited that Rabbi Schwartz, who has substantive educational experience in the U.S. along with deep knowledge of Israel, will continue to expand our impact further.”

The Makom team wishes Rabbi Schwartz the best of luck in his new role and would like to thank Abi for her incredible and inspiring leadership.

The post Introducing Makom’s New Director, Rabbi Joe Schwartz appeared first on Makom Israel.

]]> https://makomisrael.org/introducing-makoms-new-director-rabbi-joe-schwartz/feed/ 0 Educators’ Guide: Lessons We Can Learn from the Rabin Assassination https://makomisrael.org/educators-guide-lessons-we-can-learn-from-the-rabin-assassination/ https://makomisrael.org/educators-guide-lessons-we-can-learn-from-the-rabin-assassination/#respond Tue, 12 Oct 2021 05:38:42 +0000 http://makomisrael.org/?p=15802   On the 4th of November 1995, Yitzhak Rabin was assassinated at a Peace Rally by a fellow Israeli named Yigal Amir. The Bar Ilan University law student felt motivated to act against the democratically elected Prime Minister in order to stop the Oslo Peace process with the Palestinians, which he and many others viewed […]

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On the 4th of November 1995, Yitzhak Rabin was assassinated at a Peace Rally by a fellow Israeli named Yigal Amir. The Bar Ilan University law student felt motivated to act against the democratically elected Prime Minister in order to stop the Oslo Peace process with the Palestinians, which he and many others viewed as a disaster for the people of Israel. 

At the trial of Yigal Amir, Justice Edmund Levy said the following before announcing his verdict of life imprisonment: 

“The fact that such a wild growth could sprout from within our midst, requires us to examine which parts of Israel’s educational system failed in not successfully imparting and establishing the foundations of democracy into elements of the younger generation. The accused’s actions are not only a personal failing, and it is not with him alone that we are coming to terms today. It is with everyone who, directly or indirectly, specifically or in general, gave him to understand that it was permissible to cut down a person’s life on the basis of any ideology whatsoever.

Another item that we feel must be emphasized is Israel’s multi-faceted society, which time and time again has sinned by baseless hatred, and shown very little brotherly love. 

In a democratic country, it is permitted — and, at times, even required — to disagree with the government’s outlook and its political line. But we must all repeat — day and night — that those who treasure life do not change their leadership by an assassin’s bullets, and that the only way to do so is via free, democratic elections, or no-confidence motions in the Knesset. 

Our discussions must be conducted firmly, yet with mutual respect and tolerance, with the latter being of particular importance especially when unpopular opinions are voiced by a minority. Furthermore, the split in the nation will neither disappear nor heal by words alone, but rather by deeds, first and foremost, the deeds of the public’s leaders — from the entire political spectrum — who are commanded to teach themselves — day and night– “Wise men, be careful of your words.”

Questions for discussion:

  • Watch this short clip about the Rabin Assassination from Unpacked Education. What motivated Yigal Amir to so desperately want to stop the Oslo Peace Process with the Palestinians? 
  • In his judgment, it appears Justice Edmund Levy is holding the entire Israeli education system and robust political culture as a whole responsible for the actions of one individual. Why do you think he made these comments, and do you agree with him?
  • Justice Edmund Levy concludes his judgment with a quote from Pirkei Avot:
Avtalyon says: Wise men, be cautious with your words, for you may incur the penalty of exile and be banished to a place of putrid water…….and consequently the Name of Heaven will be desecrated.” – Pirkei Avot 1:11

אבטליון אומר, חכמים, היזהרו בדבריכם–שמא תחובו חובת גלות, ותגלו למקום המים הרעים, וישתו התלמידים הבאים אחריכם וימותו, ונמצא שם שמיים מתחלל

 

  • What deeds can each individual Israeli take to reduce the hatred that grows out of what many feel are legitimate expressions of free speech surrounding the weighty religious, security, and health questions the Knesset deals with on a daily basis?
  • How do you manage differences of opinion over political issues with your community and friendship group?
  • Shortly after the assassination, Israeli cartoonist Shay Charka drew this image:

The three speech bubbles read:

Religious Zionist: “I’ll mess up anyone who wants to return territories.”

Secular Zionist: “I’ll mess up anyone who threatens with violence.”

Small man in the middle: “I’ll mess up anyone who starts a civil war.”

 

  • In the context of the Rabin assassination, what comment do you see this cartoon making about the boundaries of political expression and free speech? 

On the Tel Aviv site where Rabin was assassinated in Kikar Malchei Yisrael (now named Kikar Rabin), the stones have been raised from the earth. Etched in gold, passersby who come to pay their respects read the words: 

“Here, in this place, motzei Shabbat [Saturday evening], on November 4, 1995/12 Heshvan 5757, the Prime Minister of Israel and Minister of Defense, Yitzhak Rabin, was murdered. The peace is his legacy.” 

  • What do you feel is the legacy of Yitzhak Rabin?

The post Educators’ Guide: Lessons We Can Learn from the Rabin Assassination appeared first on Makom Israel.

]]> https://makomisrael.org/educators-guide-lessons-we-can-learn-from-the-rabin-assassination/feed/ 0 Conversation Guide: Threats and Opportunities Climate Change Poses for Israel https://makomisrael.org/conversation-guide-threats-and-opportunities-climate-change-poses-for-israel/ https://makomisrael.org/conversation-guide-threats-and-opportunities-climate-change-poses-for-israel/#respond Thu, 07 Oct 2021 13:10:55 +0000 http://makomisrael.org/?p=15795 Though Israel is far from a major player on climate matters, it can still do its part to help tackle the climate crisis. The final conversation guide in our series explores the threats and opportunities that climate change poses for Israel. Access the guide here >> Conversation Guide 6- Threats and Opportunities Climate Change Poses […]

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]]> Though Israel is far from a major player on climate matters, it can still do its part to help tackle the climate crisis.

The final conversation guide in our series explores the threats and opportunities that climate change poses for Israel.

Access the guide here >> Conversation Guide 6- Threats and Opportunities Climate Change Poses for Israel

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]]> https://makomisrael.org/conversation-guide-threats-and-opportunities-climate-change-poses-for-israel/feed/ 0 Conversation Guide: What’s in a Name? https://makomisrael.org/conversation-guide-whats-in-a-name/ https://makomisrael.org/conversation-guide-whats-in-a-name/#respond Sun, 22 Aug 2021 03:25:06 +0000 http://makomisrael.org/?p=15770 Have you ever noticed that various news sites use very different terminology when reporting stories about decisions of Israel’s government, Hamas, negotiations with the Palestinians, and various forums in the United Nations? In this conversation guide, we’ll unpack what these words mean, and how one can spot the narrative of a certain news site or […]

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]]> Have you ever noticed that various news sites use very different terminology when reporting stories about decisions of Israel’s government, Hamas, negotiations with the Palestinians, and various forums in the United Nations?

In this conversation guide, we’ll unpack what these words mean, and how one can spot the narrative of a certain news site or advocate based on the language they use.

Access your guide here >> What’s in a Name?

 

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]]> https://makomisrael.org/conversation-guide-whats-in-a-name/feed/ 0 Conversation Guide: The Ethics of the Green Pass https://makomisrael.org/conversation-guide-the-ethics-of-the-green-pass/ https://makomisrael.org/conversation-guide-the-ethics-of-the-green-pass/#respond Tue, 17 Aug 2021 14:15:32 +0000 http://makomisrael.org/?p=15760 How do you feel about the way Israel has managed both the health and economic aspects of the COVID-19 pandemic? What do you think about the Green Pass system that was recently reinstated in Israel? 
 Once there are no more restrictions in place, what’s the first thing you’ll want to do with your newfound […]

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]]> How do you feel about the way Israel has managed both the health and economic aspects of the COVID-19 pandemic?

What do you think about the Green Pass system that was recently reinstated in Israel? 


Once there are no more restrictions in place, what’s the first thing you’ll want to do with your newfound freedom?

These are just a few of the questions explored in our conversation guide produced earlier this year in collaboration with RootOne.

Access the guide, with no restrictions, here >> The Ethics of the Green Pass

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]]> https://makomisrael.org/conversation-guide-the-ethics-of-the-green-pass/feed/ 0 Conversation Guide: 12 Incredible Conversation-Starting Photos About Israel https://makomisrael.org/conversation-guide-incredible-conversation-starting-photos-about-israel/ https://makomisrael.org/conversation-guide-incredible-conversation-starting-photos-about-israel/#respond Wed, 14 Jul 2021 09:49:40 +0000 http://makomisrael.org/?p=15668     Whether or not you’re able to visit Israel this summer, you’ll develop a deeper understanding of its people, history, and culture through our latest conversation guide. This eye-catching guide was created in collaboration with RootOne and explores 12 powerful photos from Israel. The carefully curated selection of photos presents contemporary Israel from different vantage […]

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Photo credit: Elad Gruber

 

Whether or not you’re able to visit Israel this summer, you’ll develop a deeper understanding of its people, history, and culture through our latest conversation guide.

This eye-catching guide was created in collaboration with RootOne and explores 12 powerful photos from Israel.

The carefully curated selection of photos presents contemporary Israel from different vantage points. Each image is accompanied by some context and a few discussion questions.

Download the guide here >> Conversation Guide, 12 Conversation-Starting Photos of Israel

 

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