The People of Israel Thumbnails: PICTURING ISRAEL: History, Heritage, and Homeland

PICTURING ISRAEL: History, Heritage, and Homeland

The content and images in this curriculum and presentation are copyrighted and trademarked. Photographs’ subject matter is divided into categories. All photographs are by Zion Ozeri. You may only use the presentation or parts of it while implementing the Picturing Israel in your school. For any other use, including reproduction, you must get special permission from Zion Ozeri. The use of the following content, which may be objectionable, is at your own risk, and Zion Ozeri holds no responsibility to evaluate the accuracy, completeness, and usefulness of any content provided, prior to your use. You may contact Zion Ozeri for any questions: zion@zionozeri.com

The People of Israel
Lesson Plan by Zion Ozeri, Josh Feinberg, and Dara Unterberg

Picture an Israeli. What do you see?

Maybe a soldier. Maybe a rabbi. Maybe a surfer in Tel Aviv, a high tech worker, or a farmer in the Galilee. The truth is, there's no single picture. Israel is one of the most diverse places on Earth.

So what does "Israeli" really mean?

Is it just where someone was born? Or is it something bigger: a shared history, a shared land, a shared identity that holds together dozens of cultures, languages, and traditions?
Israel's story stretches back thousands of years. Its land is layered with history. But it's the people, today's people, who bring that history to life.

In this lesson, you'll meet the faces of modern Israel through photographs. You'll see how this incredible mix of backgrounds, beliefs, and stories comes together to create something unmistakably, powerfully Israeli.

Click the thumbnails above to open the full-size images and its background information.

Discuss:

What kinds of people, communities, and daily activities are represented?
Which photos feel similar to the culture where you live? Which photos feel different from your own experience?
What stands out to you or surprises you about these scenes?
What questions do these photos raise for you about life in Israel?

Read the following passages:

“Ours is a country built more on people than on territory. The Jews will come from everywhere: from France, from Russia, from America, from Yemen… Their faith is their passport.” — David Ben-Gurion

“Israel’s strength comes from its diversity and unity.” — Shimon Peres

“Jews have come to Israel from over a hundred countries, representing the entire lexicon of cultural diversity.” — Rabbi Jonathan Sacks

Ben-Gurion says, “Their faith is their passport.” What do you think he means?
Why do you think both diversity and unity are important? Can a group have one without the other?
What helps people from different backgrounds build a shared identity?
Think about your own community. What differences exist between people around you, and how can those differences become a source of strength rather than division?

Follow - Up Activities:

1. Students take one photo from their own environment that they feel is connected to one of the three quotes above. Under the picture, students will write a short paragraph that includes:

The quote they chose
A description of their photo
An explanation of how their photo connects to the idea of diversity and unity in Israeli society

2. Israeli culture comes from many traditions that reshaped one another. Ask students to:

Take a photo of something that shows a mix of influences, such as: food, music, clothing, language, or family traditions. (It does not have to be Israeli, the focus is on understanding how culture blends.)
Write a short paragraph that answers the following question:

What different influences come together in your photo, and how does that help you understand Israeli culture?

IMAGES

Hi-Tech Engineers, Jerusalem