Zionism Activities and Programming Homepage

The 40 activity files on the Centenary of the First Zionist Congress, divided into The Early Years, The Herzl Years, Building the Foundations, Ships in the Night: Blockade, Stockade & Barricade are available through order by e-mail from pedagog@jajz-ed.org.il. Please state file number reference.

1. The Uniqueness of the Jewish Existence in the Diaspora and the Connection to Eretz Yisrael

Overview of concept of nationhood, and the importance of Israel, using study of Jewish sources

2. The Jewish Enlightenment, Reform Judaism and Jewish National Consciousness -
Background Text & Activity

Positions of Jewish intellectuals on Jewish observance, allegiance and nationhood; simulated debate on future of Judaism

3. The Jewish Enlightenment, Reform Judaism and Jewish National Consciousness -
Appendix to Activity: Positions

Positions for debate: orthodox Rabbis versus Jewish "maskilim"

4. The Rise of the Zionist Movement
First choices: Returning

One student's decision to become a pioneer - his parents in Russia?

5. Background to the Growth of the Jewish National Movement in the late Nineteenth Century -
Background Text

The historical forces in Europe and the options available to Jews at the time, with the roots of the modern Zionist movement

6. Background to the Growth of the Jewish National Movement in the late Nineteenth Century: Crossroads
Activity Suggestions

Two activities:

analysis of the 4 major motives of modern Zionism;
role-play on 3 different dilemmas to explore all the options available

7. The Rise of the Zionist Movement - Final Choices

The parents' decision: each of 3 children has made a different choice - where will they follow?

8. In and About the Promised Land -
#1 A Nation Needs to Speak

The debate over the national language: Ben Yehuda appeals for worldwide Jewish support - campaign

9. In and About the Promised Land -
#2 Different Positions on the Hebrew Language

The purpose of Hebrew - sacred or profane - and the controversy in the Yishuv: 6 graded positions to scale and analyze

10. Binyamin Zeev [Theodore] Herzl and the Zionist Movement - Background Text

Herzl's transformation into a Zionist; from Hibbat Zion to Basel, Zionist Congresses and movement goals

11. Binyamin Zeev [Theodore] Herzl and the Zionist Movement - Activity Suggestions

2 activity options:

Timeline/events analysis;
Leader page on the 1st Congress for a Centenary edition

12. Herzl, the Congresses & the Zionist Movement -
#1 Herzl

Herzl from Paris to Munich: 4 activity options to explore his goals and the Munich community's motives for refusing to host the First Zionist Congress, 1897

13. Herzl, the Congresses & the Zionist Movement -
#2 A Search for Symbols

Identification through symbols - 3 creative workshops

14. Herzl & the Zionist Movement: From Basel to Uganda - Background Text

Herzl's search for international support and a charter for the Zionist movement; the rift over the Uganda proposal

15. Herzl & the Zionist Movement: From Basel to Uganda - Activity Suggestions

2 activities:

Uganda Proposal simulation
3 parallel assignments on Herzl as a unique figure

16. Herzl, the Congresses & the Zionist Movement -
#3 In Pursuit of a Goal

Herzl's determination a detective's reconstruction exercise on the process from Basel to the Uganda rift

17. Religious & Secular Zionism -
#1 The Dilemmas

Should the orthodox Zionists join the movement? 2 activities

the principles
writing a speech

18. Religious & Secular Zionism -
#2 Separate but Equal

How will they function - can they integrate? 4 options for the Mizrachi movement - a discussion of tactics

19. From National Consciousness to National Movement: the Zionist Option

Retro and review on the leadership & changes of an era:

Retrospect on Herzl in eulogy;
Charting the ups and downs of the Zionist Movement;
Creating publicity for the 1st & 2nd Aliyot;
Creating pioneer stories and albums

20. Herzl and Post-Zionism: Activities & Projects

Two directions for activities:

Contemporary speech based on an extract from Herzl;
Analysis or any of 3 outreach projects based on an address by Avraham Burg* around the same Herzl extract.

21. Herzl and Post-Zionism: Background Text

The address by AvrahamBurg on Mt. Herzl which officially inaugurated JAFI/WZO programs in commemoration of the First Zionist Congress Centenary.

22. Activities Evaluation Form

Evaluation Form

23. The Balfour Declaration:

A Continuation of landmarks with Watershed in the History of the focus on Chaim Weizmann's work Zionist Movement - Background and the events leading to the Declaration, incl. texts and evaluation in context.

24. The Balfour Declaration: A Watershed in the History of the Zionist Movement - Suggestions for Activities

Press conference and reporting options to recreate debate in context and true substance via expressive media. Simulation.

25. The Balfour Declaration: A Watershed in the History of the Zionist Movement - Appendices to Activities

Appendices: Declaration text & one draft text; Position sheets: for media groups in simulations.

26. Future Options for Young People, dateline 1936: Simulation Activity

Activity file: Careers Fair simulation for teenagers opens up dilemmas of life under the Mandate for young people.

27. Future Options for Young People, dateline 1936: Position Cards

13 position cards for activity, based on 4 categories: career, industry, settlement, activism.

28. Future Options for Young People, dateline 1936: Background files from website

Text copies of related excerpts for moderator & participants, as published/linked on website.

29. The Jewish National Movement from 1917-1939: Background Text

Review unit - landmarks in the Yishuv's development 1917-1939: growth; Arab-Jewish tensions; British policy & White Papers.

30. The Jewish National Movement from 1917-1939: Activity Suggestions

4 activity sections: 1-2 on visual aid creativity; 3 via simulated commission reporting; 4 ideas for lighthearted events

31. The Jewish National Movement from 1917-1939: Charts & Worksheets

Blank charts and answer sheets for visual aids.

The Yishuv & the British War Effort 1939-45: Background file

Volunteering for the British Army, Jewish service units, Yishuv Defense, The Jewish Brigade

The Yishuv & the British War Effort 1939-45: Activity file

3 activities:
1 . Debate on paradox of “The Dual Struggle”;
2 . Simulated PR workshop to promote volunteering for the British Army;
3 . Clarifying the dilemmas in pictures: building an exhibition

The Yishuv & the British War Effort 1939-45: Document appendix

Quotations; Assignment cards; Dilemmas for activities

The Jewish Brigade - Living History: Activity file

Charting the Brigade; creative activities around personal records of the Brigade, plus discussion; worksheet

The Jewish Brigade - Simulated Reunion: Activity file

Simulation of Post-Independence Reunion of Brigade members - dilemmas, worksheet

The Jewish Brigade - Member Profiles: Appendix / Background file

8 composite profiles of Jewish Brigade members serving in Europe

The Struggle Against the British - Settlement & Illegal Immigration: Background file

The Yishuv’s reaction to British Immigration policy 1939-48, i.e. illegal immigration by land & sea; Strategic settlement, physical & economic consolidation of Yishuv

The Struggle Against the British - Settlement & Illegal Immigration: Activity file

5 activities:
1-3. Debates :
Discussion; simulation; formal debate;
4 . Workshop;
5 . Statistical analysis

The Struggle Against the British - Settlement & Illegal Immigration: Document appendices

Immigration and Operation Charts; cards for simulation activity

The Struggle Against the British - The Military Struggle for a Jewish State: Background file

The Underground Movements; Chronology of Events; Development of Yishuv-Mandate Relations in the Struggle

The Struggle Against the British - The Military Struggle for a Jewish State: Activity file

Simulation Activity: Cooperation with the Haganah - Dilemmas & delineations between groups

The Struggle Against the British - The Military Struggle for a Jewish State: Document appendices

Speeches; movement role cards; message flashes for simulation

Table of Contents