There are some topics that all Israel educators have covered; cherry tomatoes, technological innovation, music, and the Declaration of Independence are among the greatest hits. But there are so many themes and topics that are neglected every time! If you're looking for a way to spice up your next lesson or program, or if you just want to learn something new, check out these subjects below (categorized by tenant for convenience)!
Engage
Space
Israel has recently become a powerhouse in the world of space exploration and innovation. Check out the links below for some background on SpaceIL, the Bereshit satellite launch, and the Israel Space Agency.
Literature
Israeli literature is incredible! From authors like SY Agnon, Amos Oz, and A.B. Yehoshua to Yehuda Amichai and Natan Alterman, Israel has so much to offer in reading material.
Some pieces to start with:
"Tourists" by Yehuda Amichai
Only Yesterday (Tmol Shilshom) by Shmuel Yosef Agnon
Schools/Education System
The Israeli public school system is wildly complicated and truly has something for everyone. There are different kinds religious and secular public and private school systems. Navigating it can be a bit tricky, but understanding the way children learn is essential to understanding the function of a society. Read more about Israel's education system here.
Educate
Education is filled with opportunities to cover something new about Israel. However, many educators tend to stick the same few wars and prime ministers. Here are some forgotten topics you should remember to teach about!
Historical Events such as...
...and terminology such as...
apartheid:
The definition of "apartheid" is as follows: historical (in South Africa) a policy or system of segregation or discrimination on grounds of race. However, the word is often taken out of its original context and used to refer to Israeli settlements in the West Bank.
ethnostate:
The definition of "ethnostate" is "a sovereign state of which citizenship is restricted to members of a particular racial or ethnic group." Opponents of Israel use the term to refer to Israel because it is a "Jewish state," though people of all religions can and have been be granted citizenship (Christians, Muslims, and Druze are among the most common).
Apply
Writing Op-Eds
Writing opinion-based articles in local papers and online publications is a great way to share ideas and bring your perspective into the public light. But so many people overlook this powerful form of expression! Check out this link to find some guidelines and make sure to read the dozens of examples all over the internet!
Bias in Media
Understanding the political leanings and biases of various news sources is key to ensuring that your information is as impartial as possible. Here's a quick guide to some of the main sources:
Jerusalem Post: right-leaning, Israeli
Haaretz: left-leaning, Israeli
Times of Israel: politically independent
Israel National News (Arutz Sheva): religious Zionist, right-wing, Israeli
Al-Jazeera: generally anti-Zionist, Qatar-sponsored
Which topic did you discover? What did you learn? What little-known things about Israel do you love to share? Share this article along with your favorite subjects!