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60 Ideas for Teaching Israel

  1. Put together the giant IsraelExperts™ Puzzle Map with your class – and find important biblical sites. Download the Israel Puzzle Map Activity.
  2. Have historical characters from Israel visit your school (Abraham, Moses, Theodore Herzl, David Ben Gurion, Golda Meir…) – and interview them or have a debate.
  3. Have your students create a multimedia presentation on different cities in Israel.
  4. Create a News Response Team to see how different news channels, papers, etc… report the same story differently.
  5. Recreate an event in the history of Israel using costumes and props.
  6. Create your own Western Wall/Kotel – using paper grocery bags stuffed with newspaper.
  7. Use a map of Israel to teach Bible (contact IsraelExperts™ for a free small map or purchase our Israel Puzzle Map).
  8. Talk about the weather in Israel verses the weather in your community
  9. Have students research major inventions, technology, discoveries & other contributions from Israel. Try www.israel21c.com.
  10. Compare & contrast the different geological regions in Israel.
  11. Find distant (or not so distant) relatives in Israel and send them a list of questions about their lives.
  12. Raise money for an Israeli tzedaka – do some research about different projects & organizations.
  13. Have students research and create an itinerary for their dream trip to Israel.
  14. Learn about Shivat HaMinim – the 7 Species of Israel, where they appear in the Torah and Jewish holidays. 7 Species!
  15. Weave palm leaves into a lulav holder for Sukkot. 7 Species!
  16. Stomp grapes in your classroom, make your own labels, and bottle the grape juice. Look at texts about grapes and wine. 7 Species!
  17. Have a demonstration of making olive oil – and make your own oil lamps from clay.7 Species!
  18. Try making flour from wheat – then make your own challah. 7 Species!
  19. Create a nature collage using plants found in Israel – get leaves from a local Nursery and explore the Neot Kedumim website.
  20. Read Hatikvah and compare to the Star Spangled Banner.
  21. Learn about Operation Moses and the Jews of Ethiopia who came to Israel.
  22. Debate how “religious” Israel should be (buses on Shabbat, stores on Shabbat…)
  23. Read the Israeli Declaration of Independence and compare to the U.S. Declaration of Independence. Download two of our lesson plans about Israel’s Declaration of Independence.
  24. Find out about the environmental issues Israel is facing – especially regarding the Dead Sea.
  25. Explore different trips available for high school and college students to go to Israel.
  26. Invite high school or college students who have been in Israel to talk to your class.
  27. Read the Kinneret Declaration about the future of Israel as a Jewish-Democratic state.
  28. Watch an Israeli Movie or Television show (Shalom Sesame, West Bank Story…).
  29. Learn how Jewish holidays are celebrated on Kibbutzim (especially the Shavuot tractor dances!).
  30. Read and discuss Shimon Peres’ speech at his inauguration as President.
  31. Learn about different forms of Zionism (Labor, Religious, National, Cultural, Political…)
  32. Do an Israel scavenger hunt through the Siddur – looking for references to Israel.
  33. Listen to some modern Israeli music – and examine the lyrics. Try Dag Nachash, David Broza, Aviv Gefen…
  34. Learn about the lives of three different Israeli families: one Jewish, one Moslem and one Christian.
  35. Invite someone from your local Federation department of Israel & Overseas to come speak to your class.
  36. Learn about the differences between your Movement (Reconstructionist, Reform, Conservative, Orthodox) in Israel and North America.
  37. Have a contest to create a model of Jerusalem from different media (food, trash, Lego…)
  38. Learn about some of the different faces and communities of Israel: Ashkenazi, Sephardi, Russian, Ethiopian, Bedouin, Druze, Christian, Moslem, Hasidic, Modern Orthodox, Greek Orthodox, Armenian…
  39. Try an issue of BabagaNewz – a fun magazine for kids dealing with Judaism and Israel.
  40. Have a poster contest telling people about travel to Israel.
  41. Learn about your Partnership 2000 Community in Israel – and find a school to dialogue with.
  42. Do a scavenger hunt through a particular book or parsha of the Torah – looking for references to Israel.
  43. Have students create an annotated list of websites connected to Israel.
  44. Spend some time yourself, as teacher, learning more about Israel, attending a course or lecture on Israel education.
  45. Participate in your community Israel Independence Day Celebration.
  46. Send pictures, letters or pizza to Israeli soldiers.
  47. Create an Israeli meal – find menus from restaurants in Israel to help you plan. Invite another class or parents!
  48. Learn about Ilan Ramon – the Israeli astronaut.
  49. Find out what issues the Supreme Court in Israel is currently addressing.
  50. Learn about the famous Women in Israel – both historically and today.
  51. Find someone in your community who grew up in Israel to come speak about their memories.
  52. Have an Israeli song festival – find local sponsors to bring Israeli products.
  53. Watch a music video of an Israeli song – discuss the lyrics and images (try The Sticker Song by Dag Nachash).
  54. Read the Jerusalem Post magazines especially for kids: Dash, Kids, Zone, Street & Snap.
  55. Read Yehuda Amichai’s poem, “Tourists” – and consider the relationship between Jews in the Diaspora and Jews in Israel.
  56. Use a sandbox and create an “archeological dig” – with “artifacts” from different times and places in Israel.
  57. Learn more about the Passport to Israel program to save money for a trip to Israel.
  58. Have a virtual trip to Israel – including flight, passport, tickets.
  59. Learn an Israeli dance – and perform it for parents or another class.
  60. Call IsraelExperts™ today and begin planning a trip for teachers, students, families, leaders.

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