It was an amazing day, and I cannot report all the great strides that were made here – but a few highlights…
Early in the morning, we reviewed mission statements of our schools, to explore how we talk about Israel in our educational vision. At least one school’s mission statement had been devoid of ANY reference to Israel before BASIS – now it clearly states “an inextricable commitment to, and love for, the State of Israel, its culture, language, history, and land…” This was a huge step for a school community that had shown, at best, ambivalence toward Israel. A nice achievement for the first year of BASIS.
Michal (BASIS Director) briefly reviewed 6 different models/orientations for teaching Israel. Just as there are 70 faces to the Torah, so there are 70 faces of Israel, Michal asserted, and multiple (legitimate) approaches to teaching it. BASIS works with each school to find the approach that fits.
Jonny Ariel of Makom discussed “elephants in the room” when we talk about Israel, and posed these questions which each school group discussed in break-out sessions:
• WHY, and in what sense, ought Israel be an integral part of renewing Jewish life in your school? (Why engage with Israel? What should an educated graduate know about Israel?)
• WHAT should be the Israel that students encounter? (To what topics, challenges, issues, & achievements should we expose our students?)
• WHO should be the Israelis that are the focus of our teaching? (Which teachers? Iconic heroes, peer groups, voices, victims?)
• WHERE in the formal and informal program should Israel be encountered? (Israel travel, Jewish studies, Hebrew, Arts, general studies, Shabbatonim, website, school walls…)
• WHEN should we encounter Israel thoughout the daily and yearly calendar and life cycle?
In the afternoon, we went on “constructivist tours” of Tel Aviv. Rather than the traditional tour with a guide, educators were divided into small groups, each given maps and source materials and sent to discover information about various sites in Tel Aviv.
Independence Hall in Tel Aviv, where Ben Gurion read
the Declaration of Independence. Studying the Declaration
has been a theme for the week. Independence Hall was a
stop on our "constructivist" tour of discovery.
We had an “encounter” with Israeli singer-songwriter Kobi Oz. Kobi discussed his poetry, song lyrics, his influences and their resonance with contemporary Israel. Later in the evening we were treated to a Kobi Oz concert – where he sang the songs whose meaning he had discussed with us earlier.
Singer-songwriter Kobi Oz being interviewed by Makom's
Robbie Gringras.
Here’s an excerpted translation from one of Kobi’s songs – Elohai
"I have so much to tell You, yet You know everything
I have so many requests to ask of You, but You anyway want the best for me
I give You a little smile for every thing of beauty I notice
I’m a bit embarrassed – don’t know what to call You – Elohim or Elokim?
I have so so so so many thankyous standing in line at your door, but my thanks always come out corny.
I have so so so so many requests to ask of You, though I’m basically fine.
Lord, if you hear my prayer, maybe you can send my love to my Grandfather
Tell him that the Sephardi moderation he maintained has been replaced by zealotry
But despite everything, tolerance is bubbling beneaththe surface
Look how people are bit by bit leaving behind the tension and in the end just want to be united
In this great synagogue called the Land of Israel
Where everyone is welcome to look up at the heavens, pray for rain, and watch out for missiles."
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