Jewish Peoplehood Day "We Came to Drive Away the Darkness": Between Darkness and Light

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1 Jewish Peoplehood Day 2015 "We Came to Drive Away the Darkness": Between Darkness and Light i

The products of the activity will be exchanged between classrooms participating in the Educational Living Bridge between us. This year we mark Jewish People Day in our Israeli schools on Dec.

2 This is the ninth year in which the Hadera-Eiron and US Southeast region Partnership is marking Jewish People Day. As in each year, we've written out an activity plan for schools in our Partnership circle that is appropriate for different age groups. The products of the activity will be exchanged between classrooms participating in the Educational Living Bridge between us. This year we mark Jewish People Day in our Israeli schools on Dec. 2, 2015, and we invite the U.S. schools to also mark this day close to the Hanukah holiday. Goals: Familiarize students with cultural content, both Jewish and Israeli. Create a parallel activity and shared experience for students in different educational institutions across the P2G regions. Deepen our discussion of subjects related to Jewish identity. Enable personal expression via creative activity. Table of Contents: 1 Elementary schools.. Page 2 Teens and adults. Page 10 Suggested activity for small children Page 17

Elementary Schools Secondary goals: 1. Students will engage in a discussion of social activism and action for effecting change through Hanukah songs. 2.

3 Elementary Schools Secondary goals: 1. Students will engage in a discussion of social activism and action for effecting change through Hanukah songs. 2. Discussion of social responsibility followed by taking action. Teaching aids 1. Words to Hankukah songs (attached). 2. CD player. 3. CD with Hanukah songs. 4. Hanukah dreidel / sevivon 5. Pens and markers. 6. Coloring sheets with sketch of candle (attached) one for each student. 7. Arts & crafts materials, journals. 2 The activity Opening explanation of Jewish People Day Celebrating Jewish People Day is a tradition we have observed for many years in schools that work with us in the Hadera-Eiron US Southeast region Partnership. This year dozens of educational institutions are partnering in Jewish People Day activity kindergartens, elementary schools, middle schools and high schools. In the days preceding Hanukah this year, our central theme in marking Jewish People Day will be social responsibility and the triumph of light over darkness. Stage 1 breaking the ice and getting to know each other 1. Dreidel game The game starts with the group sitting in a circle. A dreidel is passed from child to child, with Hanukah music playing in the background. Once every so often, the activity leader stops the music. The pupil holding the dreidel spins it. Based on the letter that appears when the dreidel comes to rest, the pupil

4 will answer one of the following questions about himself/herself: NUN my three major qualities. GIMMEL my hobbies. HEH two things that are interesting about my family. PEH the origin of my name. Stage 2 game and discussion 1. 'We Won't Stop Singing' Divide up the pupils into two groups. Each group in turn is asked to sing a Hanukah song. The first group that 'gets stuck' without a song to sing loses. 2. The activity leader scatters four or five copies of Hanukah songs (attached) on the floor. Pupils are asked to choose a song that characterizes their perception of the Jewish People in Israel and in the Diaspora and the way in which we should act amid this reality (actively, as in 'We Came to Drive Away the Darkness', or passively as in 'A Great Miracle Occurred Here' in other words should we accept the situation or take action?) If they want, they can mark the relevant sentence in the song that represents their attitude Discussion: Ask several pupils to present the song they've chosen and explain the reason for choosing it. Which sentence did you choose to emphasize. Why? What does the sentence symbolize? Where does it connect with your actual life? Are you someone who acts or waits? Do we have control over the reality of the Jewish People? Who directs the course of its reality? Who has the responsibility / role for effecting social change? Stage 3 personal expression through creative activity. Activity leader opens by saying: "Hanukah, the days between light and darkness, between the individual and the many, between victory and defeat." 1. Each pupil receives a sheet of paper with a candle printed on it. The pupil needs to create his/her personal candle by using one or a combination of arts & craft

activism and action. What parts of yourself do you choose to illuminate?

5 materials, newspaper sheets, or recycled materials. The candle will be composed of a personal portion and a social portion that calls for activism and action. What parts of yourself do you choose to illuminate? What parts of the Jewish People do you want to strengthen and want to illuminate? Stage 4 hang up the pictures for the exhibition and send to Yael! 4

6 Appendix for elementary schools We came to drive away the darkness in our hands is light and fire. Everyone's a small light, and all of us are a firm light. Fight darkness, further blackness! Fight because of the light! We came to drive away the darkness in our hands is light and fire. Everyone's a small light, and all of us are a firm light. Fight darkness, further blackness! Fight because of the light! Let's raise aloft The standard and the torch - And here sing in unison The Chanukah refrain. The Maccabees are we Our flag is high, and true, The mighty Greeks we fought And claimed our victory. Flower by flower A bouquet we'll gather As a coronet for The mighty Maccabee. These Chanukah lights we kindle In honor of the miracles, the wonders And salvation wrought and wars You fought, for our fathers, In days of yore and in present time These Chanukah lights we kindle In honor of the miracles, the wonders And salvation wrought and wars You fought, for our fathers, In days of yore and in present time. We came to drive away the darkness in our hands is light and fire. Everyone's a small light, and all of us are a firm light. Fight darkness, further blackness! Fight because of the light! We came to drive away the darkness in our hands is light and fire. Everyone's a small light, and all of us are a firm light. Fight darkness, further blackness! Fight because of the light! Let's raise aloft The standard and the torch - And here sing in unison The Chanukah refrain. The Maccabees are we Our flag is high, and true, The mighty Greeks we fought And claimed our victory. Flower by flower A bouquet we'll gather As a coronet for The mighty Maccabee. These Chanukah lights we kindle In honor of the miracles, the wonders And salvation wrought and wars You fought, for our fathers, In days of yore and in present time These Chanukah lights we kindle In honor of the miracles, the wonders And salvation wrought and wars You fought, for our fathers, In days of yore and in present time. 5

7 O Chanukah, O Chanukah A time to remember. A joyful, jolly holiday that fills our hearts Every day for eight days, dreidels will spin, Crispy little latkes, tasty and thin. Light up and kindle Our many Hanukah candles. For the miracles and the wonders, That the Maccabees brought about. Of the Maccabees' victory we will talk about and sing, About our enemies, who sought Jerusalem, and how Israel, in her resourcefulness, resurrected Jerusalem. O Chanukah, O Chanukah A time to remember. A joyful, jolly holiday that fills our hearts Every day for eight days, dreidels will spin, Crispy little latkes, tasty and thin. Light up and kindle Our many Hanukah candles. For the miracles and the wonders, That the Maccabees brought about. Of the Maccabees' victory we will talk about and sing, About our enemies, who sought Jerusalem, and how Israel, in her resourcefulness, resurrected Jerusalem. O Chanukah, O Chanukah A time to remember. A joyful, jolly holiday that fills our hearts Every day for eight days, dreidels will spin, Crispy little latkes, tasty and thin. Light up and kindle Our many Hanukah candles. For the miracles and the wonders, That the Maccabees brought about. Of the Maccabees' victory we will talk about and sing, About our enemies, who sought Jerusalem, and how Israel, in her resourcefulness, resurrected Jerusalem. A little jug, a little jug For eight days its oil did burn. All the nation wondered how It stayed so full and lasted through. All the nation gathered there And: "It's a miracle!" did declare. Had this little jug not been left The Temple of light would have been bereft. O Chanukah, O Chanukah A time to remember. A joyful, jolly holiday that fills our hearts Every day for eight days, dreidels will spin, Crispy little latkes, tasty and thin. Light up and kindle Our many Hanukah candles. For the miracles and the wonders, That the Maccabees brought about. Of the Maccabees' victory we will talk about and sing, About our enemies, who sought Jerusalem, and how Israel, in her resourcefulness, resurrected Jerusalem. A little jug, a little jug For eight days its oil did burn. All the nation wondered how It stayed so full and lasted through. All the nation gathered there And: "It's a miracle!" did declare. Had this little jug not been left The Temple of light would have been bereft. 6

8 A little jug, a little jug For eight days its oil did burn. All the nation wondered how It stayed so full and lasted through. All the nation gathered there And: "It's a miracle!" did declare. Had this little jug not been left The Temple of light would have been bereft. Who can recount the heroism of Israel? Who can count them? In every age, a hero or sage Shall come to our aid. *Hear! In those days And in our time, A Maccabee to rescue us arrives. And in our days, all of Israel Shall stand united and be redeemed. Who can recount the heroism of Israel? Who can count them? In every age, a hero or sage Shall come to our aid. *Hear! In those days And in our time, A Maccabee to rescue us arrives. And in our days, all of Israel Shall stand united and be redeemed. A little jug, a little jug For eight days its oil did burn. All the nation wondered how It stayed so full and lasted through. All the nation gathered there And: "It's a miracle!" did declare. Had this little jug not been left The Temple of light would have been bereft. Who can recount the heroism of Israel? Who can count them? In every age, a hero or sage Shall come to our aid. *Hear! In those days And in our time, A Maccabee to rescue us arrives. And in our days, all of Israel Shall stand united and be redeemed. Who can recount the heroism of Israel? Who can count them? In every age, a hero or sage Shall come to our aid. *Hear! In those days And in our time, A Maccabee to rescue us arrives. And in our days, all of Israel Shall stand united and be redeemed. 7

9 Little candles glistening, Telling those are listening The light that persisted, The light that persisted, I hear the legends of many a little story, Tales of blood and failings followed By trumpets of victory over the Battles for freedom, The battles for freedom. As I watch you flicker, As I list you bicker, Speak the ancient dreams, Speak the ancient dreams: --You have battled, Jew, one time, You have conquer'd too, one time With courage and magnificence. With courage and magnificence. Little candles glistening, Telling those are listening The light that persisted, The light that persisted, I hear the legends of many a little story, Tales of blood and failings followed By trumpets of victory over the Battles for freedom, The battles for freedom. As I watch you flicker, As I list you bicker, Speak the ancient dreams, Speak the ancient dreams: --You have battled, Jew, one time, You have conquered too, one time With courage and magnificence. With courage and magnificence. Little candles glistening, Telling those are listening The light that persisted, The light that persisted, I hear the legends of many a little story, Tales of blood and failings followed By trumpets of victory over the Battles for freedom, The battles for freedom. As I watch you flicker, As I list you bicker, Speak the ancient dreams, Speak the ancient dreams: --You have battled, Jew, one time, You have conquer'd too, one time With courage and magnificence. With courage and magnificence. Little candles glistening, Telling those are listening The light that persisted, The light that persisted, I hear the legends of many a little story, Tales of blood and failings followed By trumpets of victory over the Battles for freedom, The battles for freedom. As I watch you flicker, As I list you bicker, Speak the ancient dreams, Speak the ancient dreams: --You have battled, Jew, one time, You have conquered too, one time With courage and magnificence. With courage and magnificence. 8

We carry our torches In darkest depths of night. The paths beneath our feet are bright. Anyone who has a heart Which for light is parched Should lift up to us his eyes and heart.

10 We carry our torches In darkest depths of night. The paths beneath our feet are bright. Anyone who has a heart Which for light is parched Should lift up to us his eyes and heart. Join us, towards the light! No miracle befell us - No cruse of oil found by us. We walked to vale, climbed mountain high, And there springs unearthed Of hidden lights of yore. No miracle befell us - No cruse of oil found by us. We quarried rock until we bled - And then there was light! We carry our torches In darkest depths of night. The paths beneath our feet are bright. Anyone who has a heart Which for light is parched Should lift up to us his eyes and heart. Join us, towards the light! No miracle befell us - No cruse of oil found by us. We walked to vale, climbed mountain high, And there springs unearthed Of hidden lights of yore. No miracle befell us - No cruse of oil found by us. We quarried rock until we bled - And then there was light! We carry our torches In darkest depths of night. The paths beneath our feet are bright. Anyone who has a heart Which for light is parched Should lift up to us his eyes and heart. Join us, towards the light! No miracle befell us - No cruse of oil found by us. We walked to vale, climbed mountain high, And there springs unearthed Of hidden lights of yore. No miracle befell us - No cruse of oil found by us. We quarried rock until we bled - And then there was light! We carry our torches In darkest depths of night. The paths beneath our feet are bright. Anyone who has a heart Which for light is parched Should lift up to us his eyes and heart. Join us, towards the light! No miracle befell us - No cruse of oil found by us. We walked to vale, climbed mountain high, And there springs unearthed Of hidden lights of yore. No miracle befell us - No cruse of oil found by us. We quarried rock until we bled - And then there was light! 9

11 Teens and adults: Secondary goals: 1. Connect with the values of Judaism, activisim and mutual responsibility. 2. Identify inner and social forces (light) and create a 'list' of things we'd like to change in our lives and/or our surroundings (darkness) that have a social aspect and involve responsibility for generating change. 3. Lend artistic/creative expression to the change we would like to effect (how we will illuminate the darkness). Product: At the end of the activity bring out the list: A. Creatively express the lights within us our strengths and abilities and what we would like to change and illuminate. B. What abilities and strengths help us generate and maintain change? What are the problematic topics/issues in our society? C. Answer the following question, drawing from the lives of participants (individuals, 10 group, environment, community): What abilities and strengths are there that help bring about change and what are the problematic topics, mainly in the immediate environment, in the song or from outside of the song? (Make a precise list). D. From these, try to come up with working solutions to problems that repeatedly come up. The activity: 1. Posted on the wall are questions. Students receive a page of songs and statements (attached). 2. Each participant must answer questions A-C on their own and mark the relevant sentences/songs/statements. 3. After answering the questions, hold a discussion guided by the following questions: Who is the speaker (or speakers)? An individual or many individuals? What Jewish nuances appear in the songs? What do they symbolize? What social nuances appear in the songs (based on the answers that the students wrote)?

12 In your opinion, what social/other problems are hinted at in the songs? Do those problem also exist in your environment? Where? Give examples. Do these texts offer suggestions for overcoming the problems? Are the suggestions of the texts good ones in your opinion? Are they good ones for each person? Will we be able to overcome the difficulties mentioned in the texts? What can you do in order to change things? What insights will you adopt for yourself in the community? Personal creative expression Activity leader opens by saying: "Hanukah, the days between light and darkness, between the individual and the many, between victory and defeat." 1. Each student receives a sheet of paper with a candle printed on it. The student needs to create his/her own personal candle by using one or a combination of arts & crafts materials, newspaper sheets, or recycled materials. The candle will be composed of a personal portion and a social portion that calls for activism and action. 11 What parts of yourself do you choose to illuminate? What parts of the Jewish People do you want to strengthen and illuminate so as to generate change? Summary discussion: Participants gather in a circle. Each one presents his/her creation, followed by a discussion. What is the significance of 'light' in Israeli culture and in Jewish sources? Is there a common denominator between the different texts? Did any new things come up in this conversation that you never though about? Would other groups in Israeli society/the Jewish community choose to illuminate different things? Hang up the pictures for the exhibition and send to Yael!

13 Appendix for teens and adults: I wanted you to know Melody and lyrics: Uzi Chitman Oh my God, I want to let you know A dream I dreamt at night in my bed: In the dream I saw an angel, From heaven he came to me, and said so: I came from heaven, a long wandering, To bring a blessing of peace to all the children, To bring a blessing of peace to all the children. When I awoke I remembered the dream, And went out to seek for a little bit of peace, But there was no angel, there was no peace. He left long ago, and I am here with my dream Mi Yemalel Who will retell Lyrics: Menashe Rabina Melody: folk Who can recount the heroism of Israel? Who can count them? In every age, a hero or sage Shall come to our aid. *Hear! In those days And in our time, A Maccabee to rescue us arrives. And in our days, all of Israel Shall stand united and be redeemed. Oh my God, I want to let you know A dream I dreamt at night in my bed: In the dream I saw an angel, From the sea depths he arose, and said so: I came from the water, from the sea depths, To bring a blessing of peace to the children of all the world, To bring a blessing of peace to the children of all the world. *Alternative translation: In this time of year, In days of yore, Maccabees the Temple did restore And tonight our people, as we dream, Will arise, unite, and be redeemed. 12 When I awoke I remembered the dream, And went out to seek for a little bit of peace, But there was no angel, there was no peace. took the blessing, and I am here with my dream Oh my God, I want to let you know that this dream remained as a riddle to me. Oh my God, I want to let you know about my dream, I want to let you know, Oh my God, I just wanted you to know. Kad Katan A Little Jug Lyrics: Aharon Ashman Melody: Yoel Velba A little jug, a little jug For eight days its oil did burn. All the nation wondered how It stayed so full and lasted through. All the nation gathered there And: "It's a miracle!" did declare. Had this little jug not been left The Temple of light would have been bereft. Anu Nosim Lapidim We Are Carrying Torches Lyrics: Aharon Zeev Melody: Mordechai Zaira We carry our torches In darkest depths of night. The paths beneath our feet are bright. Anyone who has a heart Which for light is parched Should lift up to us his eyes and heart. Join us, towards the light! No miracle befell us -

14 A little jug Every child, however young, Shall stand upright, like this jug of old. And from a heart, innocent and pure, Upon the world a light shall pour. Banu Choshech Legaresh We Came To Banish The Darkness Lyrics: Hatzel & Subliminal Melody: Subliminal We came to drive away the darkness in our hands is light and fire. Everyone's a small light, and all of us are a firm light. Fight darkness, further blackness! Fight because of the light! Fight darkness, further blackness! Fight because of the light! I came, came, came, to banish the darkness, every journey stars with a step, the length is not important, if you ask me who will sing heroism of Israel who - will teach the next generation? Seems to me that blue & white, shield-of- David always shields me sitting at home, the return to the dove, olive branch, wall and tower, bro, the next genie is growing well, Hatzel and Subliminal stand at the front of the wave carrying flames on dark nights, not saving any efforts, not saving any steps we are "righty-lefty" between fire and blackness. We won't stop, we'll yet bring the light to Zion. Yes, David beat Goliath with a stone the Temple was lit for eight days on a jar of oil. So in 2002 all of the Am Israel is to unite, to get up and get salvation. We came to drive away the darkness... I came to drive away the darkness, not afraid, I use the light, bass and fire the forces of light vs. the forces of blackness Who's good? Who's evil? By now I can't remember. No cruse of oil found by us. We walked to vale, climbed mountain high, And there springs unearthed Of hidden lights of yore. No miracle befell us - No cruse of oil found by us. We quarried rock until we bled - And then there was light! Banu Choshech Legaresh We Came To Banish The Darkness Lyrics: Sarah Levi Tannai Melody: Emanuel Amiran We came to drive away the darkness in our hands is light and fire. Everyone's a small light, and all of us are a firm light. Fight darkness, further blackness! Fight because of the light! 13

15 We won't stop at any light*, won't fall in the pit. Forward "full speed" like a drunk driver, there are no brakes, nowhere to return; looking forward, never backwards for who will guard me from the terror? Don't want the coldness, searching for the light, so the gray will pass and the sun will return and shine on all of us and light up the region. For "My God, I wanted you to know the dream I dreamed at night in bed," about two nations, hand in hand and a raised head. Shalom, Salaam, peace to all in the world. We came to drive away the darkness... 14

16 A little bit of light repels a great deal of darkness Rabeinu B'Chayai Light is not noticeable except for out of darkness The Prince and the Monk Light is nothing but the partial conquest of darkness. All comes from darkness and all returns to darkness. For this reason we say "Let there be light" and not the opposite Asher Barash I didn t win light in a windfall, nor by deed of a father s will. I hewed my light from granite. I quarried my heart. ~ H.N. Bialik The shade is the property of the individual; only light is the estate of all people Dan Ben Amotz 15 One candle lights many candles, yet no light is missing from it Torah chapter 'Behaalotecha'. There are two ways to spread light to be the candle or the mirror that reflects it Idit Varton. There will be no victory of light over darkness so long as we do not stand upon this simple truth that instead of fighting darkness, we must increase the light A.D. Gordon. Light attests to itself and also to darkness Baruch Spinoza

17 Appendix for elementary and teen students: 16

18 Suggested activity for small children 1. Play Hanukah songs in the background. 2. Read out the story of the Wondrous Candles (attached). 3. Questions: Which of the wondrous candles would you like to receive from mother? Do you have a 'wondrous candle' to give to others? What's makes you happiest and lights up your heart? Which of the candles would you want to give to a friend? 4. Coloring activity children will draw the candles in the colors from the story. 5. Photograph the candles and send them to the parallel classroom or kindergarten. 6. Send photos of the activity to Yael. 17

19 18

The Wondrous Candles In a small house in the forest lived a mother and son. Winter arrived, with strong winds in the morning and nights that grew ever longer. The nights were dark and gloomy.

" The mother listened to the boy's request and replied: "I will go out and search for the wondrous candles." The mother climbed up to the sky and looked at the sun.

20 The Wondrous Candles In a small house in the forest lived a mother and son. Winter arrived, with strong winds in the morning and nights that grew ever longer. The nights were dark and gloomy. The little boy asked his mother: "If only I had wondrous candles that could light up the house and the entire forest." The mother listened to the boy's request and replied: "I will go out and search for the wondrous candles." The mother climbed up to the sky and looked at the sun. 19 "O yellow sun, good sun a golden ray of light I ask for the sake of my son". "Here is the golden ray of light, a golden candle as a gift to your son," replied the sun. Then the mother walked among the clouds and came to the moon. "O silver and friendly moon, a pure ray of moonlight I ask for the sake of my son." "Here is a ray of pure moonlight, a silver candle as a gift to your son," replied the moon The mother continued, and came to the sky. "O blue sky, a sky of peace just a piece of the skies I ask for the sake of my son." "Here are the skies of peace, a piece of the skies, a blue candle as a gift to your son," replied the sky. The mother walked along the Milky Way and came upon a star. "O merry and impulsive star, a golden spark I ask for the sake of my son." "Here is a shining spark, a yellow candle as a gift for your son," replied the star. The mother came to rest upon the hills and landed in an orchard.

21 "O citrus tree and your abundant fruit, a sweet orange I ask for the sake of my son." "Here is a fruit, a sweet orange, an orange candle as a gift for your son," replied the tree. The mother turned around and came to the garden. "O sweet smelling garden, a graceful stem I ask for the sake of my son." "Here is a sweet smelling stem, a green candle as a gift for your son," replied the garden. The mother looked down at the earth. "O brown and beloved earth, a lump of brown earth I ask for the sake of my son." "Here is a lump of brown earth, a light brown candle as a gift for your son," replied the earth. The mother turned to go back home, approached the forest and her small son. In her hands she held the wondrous candles. But she saw that there was already light in the forest. "What is this light?" asked the mother. And then she saw her son, standing at the window of their home, and he was all aglow in the light of thanks and love. 20 The small boy lit the wondrous candles. The light of the candles filled the entire forest with light. And then entire world was filled with light. חג חנוכה שמח

First Night The Light of Olives

First Night The Light of Olives Hanukkah and olives are connected by more than the pure oil which burned for eight days in the rededicated Temple. At the time of Hanukkah, olive-picking season is coming