Jaime's Post: Views of Homelands

I decided to create a picture that compares people's images of Israel and America, our two homelands.  I focused on the stereotypical symbols and images of these two places I have learned about this year.

I think of Israeli life being pretty religiously Jewish, including celebrating Shabbat and dressing like Orthodox Jews.  This might not be true but it's how I think about it.  I have never been there, so this is what comes to mind for me.  In America, I believe we are less conservative and have more diverse ways of thinking.  In Israel all teenagers have to go to the army after high school, but in America it's optional for us.  I have had Israeli teachers over the years and they have all taught me that the army is an important part of Israeli life.  This left an impression on me as something really different than America.

This year, I also learned about the different places in Israel and the land itself.  I don't think I will ever visit there, and I am not sure I want to, but at least I learned about it this year and have a better understanding.  

Hannah's Post- Israel Dissipating

I feel no clear relation to Israel because I was converted to Judaism, so I struggle with that. Even though I don't have a good connection to Israel, I learned this year about Zionism, and how important Israel was/is to other people.  I remember learning about how Theodore Herzl was one of the biggest Zionists and wrote books about having a Jewish state to help others join his cause. One of them is called "The Jewish State." This stood out to me because it showed how much people will do for a homeland. Being adopted, I know about wanting a homeland and feeling like you want to belong.

My art piece represents how Israel used to have a bigger meaning to me, but became more distant the older I got until it finally became so distant I almost couldn't see it. I think that my perspective of Israel might change if I went to Israel, so .

Michael's Post: Israeli Comedy

This year one of the topics we covered was comedy in Israel. One of the videos we watched that I really liked was The Dollar Is Down- Bush has the solutions. This is the video:

This video helped start a discussion about what Israeli comedy is, as seen from the point of view of our class as Americans. We discussed the comedic stereotypes of modern day Israel, including this ridiculous impression of view of President Bush from a few years ago, when the financial issues in America were just starting. This video shows the Israeli writers' thoughts about George Bush's plans to bring back the dollar. This video left a lasting impression on me because it is funny how it makes fun of Bush, just like American comedians did on shows like SNL when he was president.  Bush is shown as really unaware of the big issues and he acts like a big kid, not a president.

Daniel's Post: Israel and I

I learned many things about Israel this year.  I learned that it became an independent state in 1948 and that Theodore Herzl was one of the major Zionists who had a vision for a Jewish state.  He was journalist who experienced anti-Semitism and realized the importance of a Jewish homeland.  Zionism is the belief that Israel should be an independent state for the Jewish people.  I also remember learning about Golda Meir was the first female prime minister.  This stood out to me because it reminded me of how it was significant that Obama was our first African American president--both were unique and huge milestones.

My image of Israel has changed also this year.  At first, I thought that Israel was not so important but now I think that it is a very important place.  They have had a lot of courage as a country throughout some difficult times and I think they set a good example for the rest of the world.  They fight hard for their rights and are always working to do better.  For me, my connection to Israel now is really personal.  I have 18 cousins there and I have traveled there to see my family.  I really enjoyed visiting it because it is such a warm place and I feel good when I'm there.

Sophia's Post: America and Israel Together

My relationship to Israel is that I feel bad for Israel's struggles that it has gone through in the recent years.  I want to visit it one day and learn even more about it, but I don't think it's the only center of Jewish life because it's our homeland/state.  You can create good Jewish communities and be a part of them anywhere in the world, just like we do here in Brooklyn.

My picture represents two pieces: my images and impressions of Israel and America.  On the Israel side, I think of the Star of David (because it's a Jewish state), a dreidel (for Chanukah and the holidays), falafel (for the typical Israeli food), and the flag of Israel (which is blue and white and represents the land of Israel to me.  I wanted to compare it to America because I believe they have similar origin stories (declaring independence, a new country, etc.).   My images of America are a burger (even though I hate them), a baseball (our national pastime), the American flag, and a five pointed star, for the stars on the flag (representing our history).  The differences are many, including size and our culture, but I like to think about what we share.

Sara's Post: How Israel has Changed

My drawing represents how Israel has changed in the past 64 years based on what we learned.  The major change is that even though there are still different problems, things are improving in the country.  Instead of constant wars and violence, there is less real fighting and less attacks.  Right now, it's more awesome because the country has developed to create a strong community of all kinds of people from different backgrounds.  Diversity has really helped Israel.  The flag of Israel is a symbol of the country for everyone, blue and white, which represents the hope of peace and all that Israel has finally accomplished as a state.  

My personal connection to Israel has changed a lot this year.  I used to only see the stuff we see on the news, including death, terror attacks, and problems.  Now I see that Israel is actually an amazing place and I have learned more about it, including the kibbutz system and the ancient kings of Israel.  I also remember learning about the Exodus ship and how people struggled to make Israel a state.  These events all made an impression on me.  

Rebekah's Post: My Israel Perspective

This drawing is how I see Israel because that's what we have been learning about this year.  I think about big families, living on kibbutzim, buying things in the market on the street, and people coming to visit the Dead Sea and other sites.  This picture is my interpretation and image of what Israel is, and it is also based on the facts that we have been discussing this year.

 

My relationship to Israel is personal, because my aunt lives in Israel so it means family.  I feel connected to Israel because we have learned so much about it and I admire the fact that Israel grows and changes as a country in the face of adversity. 

Martin's Post: Creation of Israel

Q: What you have learned about Israel this year?

A: I have learned about how Israel was formed by the philosophy of Zionism. Theodore Herzel created the idea of having a modern homeland for the Jewish people. I also learned about many Israeli customs and culture, including the food.  I also enjoyed learning about the poetry and music of Israel, as well as the politics of Israel, which are very different from the politics in America.

Q: How has your image of Israel changed?

A: I used to be frightened of Israel. All of the wars and terrorism that take place there are always in the news, so that is what you hear about if you don't live there.  However, now I believe that it is important to acknowledge the fact that Israel is the home state of all Jewish people living throughout the world.  It's a place we can all always go to and call a home, and that's really special.

Q: What is your relationship to Israel?

A: I used to believe it wasn't important to understand and care about Israel. My perspective has definitely changed. I now believe that Israel is important to understand and have a connection to as my own.  I look forward to visiting it one day.

Q: What are some impressions people have of Israel versus the reality?

A: Whenever people talk about Israel they talk about war and the desert. I think that if you ask certain people about Israel they will acknowledge that Israel is a Jewish place, possibly with the idea that everyone there is religious.  I think that these impressions are not so accurate, and it could change if people learned more about it.

Video Project: A KIBBUTZ

This year, in our studies of Israel, one of the biggest things our class remembered was learning about the kibbutz and how life works in these special communal settlements.  They were an important and unique part of the beginnings of the modern Jewish state, and in our little video skit the students explain the basics of kibbutz life.  Enjoy!

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