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.

Ways to Remember the Day of the Omer

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

Traditions That Ring a Bell

What’s YOUR Exodus Story

Take a look at three groups of people who saw the Exodus story as inspiration and hope during their own quest for freedom, and share how it resonates with you.

https://assets.website-files.com/5fc362177f496c31e6f54e24/61c83184b5e9150677aa53ba_What%27s%20Your%20Exodus%20Story%20Source%20Sheet.pdf

El Al Poster of Israel Puzzle

This puzzle features an El-Al poster with a map of Israel. Do you recognize any of the places on the map?

Which Purim poster are you?

Are you a party animal or a traditionalist? Find out which Purim poster reflects your idea of this festival!

Chanukah Advertising in Israel

Since when does Simon the Macabbee promote citrus fruits?! Explore some funny and interesting advertisements connected to Chanukah.

My Family Origins Through Primary Sources

Explore primary sources that give a glimpse into the community you are researching

Using Persuasive Materials

Election posters use advertising methods to convey messages. How can we recognize tools used by designers that influence the viewers?

The Cantor Who Lost His Voice

Years after chazan (cantor) Zalman Pollack was a star of the Jewish world, his life's work was rediscovered...

https://blog.nli.org.il/en/lbh-the-cantor-who-lost-his-voice/

The Journey of the Ethiopian Oriyt

Follow the journey of the Ethiopian Oriyt from Ethiopia, through the deserts of Sudan, all the way to the National Library of Israel.

Fashion, History and Politics

How did two prime ministers - David Ben-Gurion and Menachem Begin - use fashion to transmit political and moral values?

Hatikva - Learn More About the Israel Anthem

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

The Importance of Taking Care of Our Trees

In this unit we will discuss the importance of trees, the need to take care of the environment and learn about the festival of Tu B’Shvat.

The Jews of Russia

The Jewish community living in the territories of the Russian Empire was, at certain times, the largest population of Jews in the world. This resource pack explores the history, culture and traditions of the Russian Jewish community through photographs, newspapers, documents and more.

https://web.nli.org.il/sites/NLIS/en/Education/Pages/itemPage.aspx?ItemID=EDU_XML_ENGSP1168

Tu Bishvat Decorations

https://assets.website-files.com/5fc362177f496c31e6f54e24/63c953d4763ef5c2f0130b59_Tu%20Bishvat%20posters%20and%20photos.pdf

The National Day of Mourning… and Fundraising?

In the early 20th century, there was a major Zionist effort to turn this day of grief and sadness into one of hope, renewal and redemption.

https://blog.nli.org.il/en/lbh-tishabav-jnf/

Shavuot Prayers - Roman Jewish Community 1450

Step back in time to the the Roman Jewish community in the 1400s to consider the effect illustrations can have on the prayer experience.

Women and Feminism

The story of Purim has earned recognition for its perceived feminist message. Get a glimpse into the lives of other Jewish women in the past.

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

Israel Activity Printable Page

Enjoy these activities related to Israel

https://assets.website-files.com/5fc362177f496c31e6f54e24/61a378dc1cc1220edd77cb32_5f01b7d9f0e3481ed0c2c3f8_SHEET%20IND%20ENG%20003.pdf

Analyzing Memorial Day Poster 2008

Analyze this Yom Hazikaron Poster for Fallen Soldiers. The main image in this poster is Michael Elkayam.

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.

Sending Shana Tova Greetings

What can Shana Tova cards tell you about different Jewish communities and time periods? What greetings would you write on a card?

https://assets.website-files.com/5fc362177f496c31e6f54e24/61c822e18842083671dedaeb_Sending%20Shana%20Tova%20Greetings%20Source%20Sheet.pdf

Teachers Talk About Sukkot with Dina

Dina talks about primary sources on sukkot

Planting a Tree from Afar - Create a Certificate

Design our own tree certificate while learning about the custom of planting trees in Israel.

100 Years in the Western Wall

Discover how photographers and artists of the past 100 years understood the significance of the Holy City.

https://youtu.be/DMHfnlC5KDw

Caring for Plants to Care for the Future

Take a close look at a photograph and a text from the Talmud to see what we can learn about trees, the environment, and the future.

Rosh Hashanah's Theme Music

Explore Rosh Hashanah’s theme music and reflect on the what the sound of the shofar means to you.

https://assets.website-files.com/5fc362177f496c31e6f54e24/61c8220c37894025f63b614b_Rosh%20Hashanah%27s%20Theme%20Music%20Source%20Sheet.pdf

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

Inside and Outside the Sukkah

Learn about Sukkot in the past and connect it to how we celebrate Sukkot today.

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.

What Do I Gain from Learning about My Family History?

Reflect on what you have learned during the project and how this impacts on your Jewish identity

Pesach Activity Printable Page

Learn how different historical circumstances come to life in the unique design of each Haggadah.

https://assets.website-files.com/5fc362177f496c31e6f54e24/61a372e81dac9660fa7e9009_5ef2f6886d2eb80862ae9734_PESACH%20ENG.pdf

How a Little Red Flower Became the Symbol of Israel’s Memorial Day

Every year on Yom HaZikaron, Israel's Memorial Day, many Israelis wear the famous Dam HaMaccabim (Blood of the Maccabees) sticker; the connection between the flower and the occasion was made in the early days of the state

https://blog.nli.org.il/en/hoi_blood-of-the-maccabees/

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.

Diary From A Besieged Jerusalem

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

Who was David Green?

Read all about this influential figure and then arrange the significant milestones of his life in this digital activity.

Sally Priesand: The First American Female Rabbi

In 1972, one woman - Sally Priesand - made American and Jewish history. Find out who she was and what she did to change history!

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.

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!

Create your own Shana Tova card!

Design your own Shana Tova card inspired by illustrations and texts from historical cards!

Breaking News – The State of Israel is Born!

How did newspapers around the world report the birth of the State of Israel on May 14, 1948? How would you announce it today?

Learning to be a Local

Learn how Israel has absorbed immigrants from around the world and helped them adjust to their new country by teaching them Hebrew.

Primary Resource Analysis Worksheet

General Worksheet for primary resource analysis - updated photograph

Your Four Sons - Explore the Haggadah

See how the passage about the Four Sons has been a source of inspiration for illustrators of Haggadot over the centuries.

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

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

Chanukah and Israel’s Emblem

How did the menorah from the temple end up on Israel's emblem, and how is that connected to Chanukah?