Learn & Play

Teaching resources and ready-to-use activities

Learning is a value that is rooted deep in Jewish culture, a meaningful process of discovery and growth that combines knowledge and skills, that can be achieved in a variety of ways.

We aim to convey content related to Jewish and Israeli history and culture through a variety of primary sources (such as: manuscripts, photographs,ephemera, recordings) while fostering the following skills:

“A person can learn only from a place that their heart desires”

- Babylonian Talmud, Avodah Zara 19a

Observing

What is your first impression? What sparks your interest? Pay attention and notice details!

Analyzing

Dig deeper, use prior knowledge, analyze and research to understand broader context and meaning.

Connecting

Find personal relevance, forge an emotional connection, share and discuss insights with others.

Creating

Express yourself, crystalize your understanding, add a personal layer to what you have learned, spark further dialogue and learning.

Life of Yitzhak Rabin - Analyzing a Poster

Yitzhak Rabin served as IDF chief of staff and two terms as prime minister of Israel. On November 4, 1995, Rabin was assassinated by Yigal Amir, an extreme right-wing activist who opposed Rabin’s political ideology.

You're Invited - to Join the Party!

Solve the clues, get the key to the party and celebrate Soviet Jewry's contribution to Israeli society!

Oral History – Learning History to Learn About Ourselves

Record a meaningful oral history of a family member and get a personal glimpse into historical events, as well as our own history and identity.

Tu Bishvat Protected Trees Puzzle

This puzzle features a poster of protected trees and shrubs in Israel. Can you identify any of the plants shown on the poster?

In this activity, we will first research the Dreyfus Affair in groups and analyze the propaganda material of both sides. We will then create a “Free Dreyfus” campaign that could have been used by the Dreyfusards. Finally, the groups will present their campaigns, and the class will choose which campaign would have been the most effective in Alfred Dreyfus’ release.

Henrietta Szold

Henrietta Szold ran Youth Aliyah, an organization that rescued 30,000 Jewish children from Nazi Europe and she remained a mother figure to many of those children. To honor her memory, 'Family Day' is marked on the anniversary of her death.

https://web.nli.org.il/sites/nlis/en/education/pages/results.aspx?_gl=1*b14t3z*_ga*MTU0MDg2NDA3NS4xNjE1ODA5NTUz*_ga_8P5PPG5E6Z*MTY0MzgwMjYyMy43MC4xLjE2NDM4MDYyODguNDM.&_ga=2.171801504.1636076797.1643702719-1540864075.1615809553#query=any,contains,Henrietta%20Szold

I Spy Village - Tell Us What You See

Hone in on your visual recall

Teachers Talk About the Bunting Map

Discover more about the bunting map of Jerusalem

Yom Kippur at Metz - Historical Resources

Compare resources which depict the same event but in a distinct way, and reflect on the meaning of the differences.

Yom Kippur Activity Printable Page

In these printable pages, you can explore how Yom Kippur is marked in different times and places throughout Jewish history.

https://assets.website-files.com/5fc362177f496c31e6f54e24/61a3745b6091119ffc51d300_5f59c401f08ac681c3bb4cce_Yom%20Kippur%20Activity%20Pages.pdf

Ancient Maps of the Exodus

This geography and Tanach teacher from Jerusalem talks about how she uses historic illustrated maps of the Exodus in her classroom.

Teachers Talk - Map of Israel & Syria

Teachers Talk About NLI Primary Sources - Netanel Burstin - Map of Erez Israel & Syria

Inside and Outside the Sukkah

What can you learn about Jewish life of families in 1867 Germany from peeking into their Sukkah?

Tisha B'av Activity Printable Page

Each map was designed based on a particular perception of the city which is known as "the heart of the world".

https://assets.website-files.com/5fc362177f496c31e6f54e24/61a378303d1b4ae7c06483c4_5f01b86915d1560841c35510_JLM%20ENG%20003.pdf

Evolution of Election Posters

Watch how Israeli politics evolved visually throughout history, as we look through different parties and their election materials.

Hatikva - Learn More About the Israel Anthem

Watch this video to learn more interesting facts about the Israeli anthem.

No Beeping - Shabbat Observance

The prohibition is for the benefit of residents who would like to rest during those times. The prohibition is in effect from 8:00 pm until 7:00 am on work days and all day on Shabbat and holidays.

Primary Resource Analysis Worksheet

General Worksheet for primary resource analysis - updated photograph

Picturing the Tanakh

It is sometimes difficult to picture the places that we read about in the Tanakh. Luckily, there are drawings and photographs which help us to imagine what the places and events described in the Tanakh look like.

https://www.sefaria.org.il/sheets/165535.1?lang=bi

Shir LaShalom - Song of Peace

Shir LaShalom (Song of Peace) was written in 1969. It is very popular in Israel and serves as the unofficial anthem of the Israeli peace movement, particularly since becoming associated with the assassination of Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin.

Create your own Megillah for Purim

Create your own illustrated scene from the Megillah based on the analysis of historical illuminated manuscripts from the NLI collections.

Bedikat Chametz – Searching for Chametz

In preparation for Pesach people clean their homes to remove all of the chametz. Learn more about why and how they do so!

The Partition Plan

Which city was not part of the Jewish state? Click on the cities that were not part of the Jewish state according to the partition plan.

Rosh Hashanah Activity Page

Get inspired to create a record of your personal milestones and even design your own card.

https://assets.website-files.com/5fc362177f496c31e6f54e24/61a377ded8897d13ec640510_5f59c9c29907e2bc0ce9f77a_Rosh%20Hashanah%20Activity%20Pages.pdf

Visual Essay: Independence Day Posters

Go back in history and take a look at some of the posters that were created in the early years of the State of Israel.

Every Woman's Dream? Analyzing Advertisements

What makes an advertisement a good one and what can that teach us about social issues such as gender roles?

Between Yom Hashoah and Yom Hazikaron

This on-demand webinar explores the centrality of rituals in Israeli culture and discusses new initiatives for commemoration.

https://youtu.be/WjpztcBSkb4

Shavuot Customs in Words and Pictures

Learn about Shavuot customs through traditional texts, primary sources and first-person accounts recorded by Centropa.

The Balfour Declaration - Learn More!

Learn more about the drafting of the Balfour Declaration, in which the British government expresses its support for the Zionist enterprise.

The Majesty and the Mystery of Kol Nidre

Learn how a traditional Jewish prayer melody inspired everyone - from classical composers to filmmakers to psychedelic rock bands.

https://blog.nli.org.il/en/kol-nidre/

Ways to Remember the Day of the Omer

What's the best way to keep track of the Omer and not loose count?

Which Israeli City Should You Visit? - Quiz

Wondering where to go for your next adventure? Take our quiz to find the perfect destination for you.

Five-Hundred Years in the Life of the Amon Family

From the surrender of Spain to the court of Suleiman the Magnificent and beyond, they were there

https://blog.nli.org.il/en/lbh-amon/

What Does Your Simchat Torah Flag Say About You?

Join us on a fascinating journey through the history of Simchat Torah flags: From the Middle Ages, through the early Zionist movement and to this very day

https://blog.nli.org.il/en/simchat-torah-flags/

We are Angry! Women's Liberation Movement Ad

“We are not beautiful, we are not ugly, we are angry!” Who was so angry and what were they angry about?

Tu Bishvat Activity Printable Page

Have fun while you expand your knowledge, notice new things and celebrate the beauty of the natural environment that surrounds us. HAPPY HUNTING AND HAPPY TU B’SHVAT!

https://assets.website-files.com/5fc362177f496c31e6f54e24/61a372daba09c0cec0962228_5ffae435f9113e50c1cc78cf_Tu%20B%27Shvat%20Nature%20Hunt.pdf

Diary From A Besieged Jerusalem

“It was an eventful Shabbat, an historic day for the Jewish people: the State of Israel was declared".