PICTURING ISRAEL: History, Heritage, and Homeland

Second Temple Period
Lesson Plan by Zion Ozeri and Josh Feinberg


Nes Gadol, Chanukah, Hostage Square, Tel Aviv, Israel © Zion Ozeri

Take a close look at this photograph:

  • What do you think is happening here? How would you describe this scene?
  • What are some of the things that stand out for you? What details do you notice?
  • What choices did the photographer make about how to shoot this photograph and from where?
  • The vertical metal bars through which the photo was taken are the branches of a large Hanukkah menorah. How does that knowledge affect your reading of the photograph?
  • What does the holiday of Hanukkah mean to you?
  • The events of Hanukkah happened more than 2,000 years ago. Why do we still celebrate the holiday today?
  • The photographer chose to include the boy on his fathers shoulders on the right. Why might he have wanted that in the photo?
  • On the left, someone holds up a photograph of a family who was murdered in the terrorist attacks of October 7, 2023. The photo was taken in Tel-Avivs Hostage Square, which is a gathering place to advocate for the release of all the Israelis who were kidnapped on October 7, 2023. Why might the photographer have chosen to include that detail? How does it relate to the celebration of Hanukkah?

For more on Hostage Square, see here: Hostages Square - Wikipedia

Read the text below:

Ezra was a scribe and a Jewish leader, and the book that describes his activities is part of the section of the Hebrew Bible called Writings. In the selection below, the text describes the beginning of the rebuilding of Jerusalem, and of the Temple, and in the 6th and 5th centuries BCE.

Ezra 1:1-3
(1) In the first year of King Cyrus of Persia, when the word of the LORD spoken by Jeremiah was fulfilled, the LORD roused the spirit of King Cyrus of Persia to issue a proclamation throughout his realm by word of mouth and in writing as follows: (2) Thus said King Cyrus of Persia: The LORD God of Heaven has given me all the kingdoms of the earth and has charged me with building Him a house in Jerusalem, which is in Judah. (3) Anyone of you of all His peoplemay his God be with him, and let him go up to Jerusalem that is in Judah and build the House of the LORD God of Israel, the God that is in Jerusalem.

Discuss:

  • How do you imagine the Jewish people responded to the offer that Cyrus made?
  • Why do you think it was important for the Jews to have a central place - a House of God - where they could worship?
  • The second Temple - the one that is about to be built in these verses - was defended and rededicated by the Maccabees in the events of Hanukkah.
  • Why do you think it was so important for the Maccabees to defend the Temple?
  • Why do we still remember it today?
  • Is there a central spot in your life today that connects you to your Jewish identity? If so, what is it?

Now read this text:

Antiquities of the Jews 12.7.7
By Flavius Josephus, a Roman-Jewish historian and military leader who lived in the first century CE

Now Judas celebrated the festival of the restoration of the sacrifices of the temple for eight days; and omitted no sort of pleasures thereon: but he feasted them upon very rich and splendid sacrifices; and he honored God, and delighted them, by hymns and psalms. Nay, they were so very glad at the revival of their customs, when after a long time of intermission, they unexpectedly had regained the freedom of their worship, that they made it a law for their posterity, that they should keep a festival, on account of the restoration of their temple worship, for eight days. And from that time to this we celebrate this festival, and call it Lights. I suppose the reason was, because this liberty beyond our hopes appeared to us; and thence was the name given to that festival.

This text describes the celebration of the first Hanukkah by the Maccabees, after they defeated the Greeks and recaptured the Temple.

  • How did the Maccabees celebrate?
  • Whats similar or different about our celebration of the holiday today? Why do you think it has changed?
  • Why do you think they made it a law for their posterity to mark the festival? Why do we celebrate Hanukkah even though the Temple no longer exists?
  • Why does Josephus suppose the holiday was called Lights? What does the name Festival of Lights mean to you?

See for more information:

The History of Hanukkah | My Jewish Learning
The Hanukkiah (Hanukkah Menorah) | My Jewish Learning
The Maccabees/Hasmoneans: History & Overview- Jewish Virtual Library
The Cyrus Cylinder and Ancient Persia: A New Beginning

Follow-up activities:

  • Take a photograph that incorporates a significant or meaningful object in an unusual way. Share with the group.
  • Write a prayer or poem, invent a ritual, or create a new custom that incorporates modern events into the celebration of Hanukkah. How will you integrate the memory of the past with the experience of the present?
  • What would you fight for? Is there anything you would be willing to risk your life for? How far would you go? Write a reflection on this topic and share with the group.