Lesson Plan

Uncovering the Personal Behind the Historical

We can explore Israel from many different angles: through people who contributed to the country, through historical events that took place in different time periods, or through texts and sources. In this unit, we suggest connecting to the multiple faces and facets of Israel by choosing personal stories that may resonate with us. Learners will do some detective work and take a closer look at some of the individuals who were involved in the grand historical events that shaped the State of Israel.

Take a closer look at some of the individuals who were involved in the grand historical events that shaped the State of Israel.

Group Activity

  • What emotions do you identify in this photo? What are the people in it thinking about or feeling?
  • How does the time and place of this photo help you understand the people in it and what they are experiencing?
  • What emotions does this photo evoke?
  • How does it make you feel as an observer?

Discussion Questions

  • Which figure did you connect to most and why?
  • What risks did these figures take for the sake of their beliefs?
  • What do you think you might have done if you were in their shoes?
  • What would you like to learn more about after this activity?

Creative Activity

  • Create a WhatsApp chat between two characters in the photo.
  • Reenact the photo. Each group chooses one of the primary sources and recreates the photo with attention to the details. The old and new photos can be displayed side by side in the classroom.
  • Write a letter to someone in the photo, asking them questions about their experiences, telling them about your life, and sharing your thoughts.
  • Put the image in the center of a blank page and create a “sun” around it of associations, thoughts, and questions about the person.
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  • What emotions do you identify in this photo? What are the people in it thinking about or feeling?
  • How does the time and place of this photo help you understand the people in it and what they are experiencing?
  • What emotions does this photo evoke?
  • How does it make you feel as an observer?

Primary sources in this lesson

Primary source in this Game

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Uncovering the Personal Behind the Historical

We can explore Israel from many different angles: through people who contributed to the country, through historical events that took place in different time periods, or through texts and sources. In this unit, we suggest connecting to the multiple faces and facets of Israel by choosing personal stories that may resonate with us. Learners will do some detective work and take a closer look at some of the individuals who were involved in the grand historical events that shaped the State of Israel.

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12-18
60 min.

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