In this activity we will focus on the subject of “Tikun Olam” mutual responsibility as way to change the world. We will learn about exemplary characters from Jerusalem, who illuminate the subject of mutual responsibility in reference to god, fellow humans and nature. Through the characters we will discuss questions about the place of mutual responsibility in our lives and will express it through games.
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Activity audience
7th-9th grade
Goals and the activity order
Goals:
The students will learn new information about Jerusalem role models, by answering trivia questions, and presenting the characters to the rest of the class.
The students will choose values they see in the actions of the role models, which they can express in their daily lives.
activity order:
Introduction- Tangled game
Conversation
Trivia – questions about the characters
Getting acquainted in depth with the characters
Discussion
A game about mutual responsibility
Summary
Introduction- Tangled game
Part 1
10 min
The group will stand in a circle and each one will send their left hand forward. Now, with their right hand every participant must hold the left hand of someone else in the circle (not someone standing right next to you), and with their left hand, someone else’s right hand. The group must untangle into an organized circle once more, without letting go of their hands.
A video with an example-
This activity will discuss mutual responsibility. The basic understanding we need for mutual responsibility is that we are all one group, we depend on one another, and are bound to one another. If we “let go” and will not be a part of the group- we will hurt the wholeness of the group. Each one of us is important, we must give from ourselves to the group, and also know to look up, and help others in need, and receive help when we are need.
Conversation
Part 2
10 min
The teacher will hang up/ lay out a poster with the phrase “tikkun olam” and will ask the pupils: what does this phrase mean to you?
On the floor will be set out cards with the names and pictures of the characters. The teacher will ask questions about one or a few of the characters, and the pupils must answer which character they think is the right answer.
Trivia Questions & Answers:
They learned in the Hebrew University in Jerusalem – Geulah Cohen, Galila Ron-Feder Amit.
They won the Israel Prize – Rabbanit Bracha Kapach, Yehoram Gaon, Geulah Cohen
He asked not to be eulogized in his will – Rav Aryeh Levin
He was wealthy and was the representative of the Jewish community – Haim Valero
She was the foster mother for ten children – Galila Ron-Feder Amit
She was shot in her leg when attempting to escape from prison – Geulah Cohen
She opened a factory and employed workers from low socio-economic backgrounds in order to provide employment for them – Rabbanit Bracha Kapach
He frequently visited the hospital for lepers in order to encourage them – Rabbi Aryeh Levin
She was a member of Etzel and Lehi – Geulah Cohen
He is one of the most prominent Hebrew singers – Yehoram Gaon
He established the first Hebrew bank – Haim Valero
She was the broadcaster on the underground radio station “Voice of the Hebrew Underground” – Geulah Cohen
She got married at 11 – Rabbanit Bracha Kapach
He helped to identify the bodies of members of the Convoy of 35 – Rabbi Aryeh Levin
He spoke 5 languages (French, Turkish, Arabic, Ladino, Hebrew) – Haim Valero
He is known for his love of traditional liturgical poems and for the Ladino language – Yehoram Gaon
He requested that anyone who visits his grave says “I believe in complete faith that there will be the resurrection of the dead at the time when it will be the will of the Creator, He should be blessed and His remembrance will ascend forever” – Rabbi Aryeh Levin
She has written over 200 books, the vast majority for children and teenagers – Galila Ron-Feder Amit
She presented the Basic Law: Jerusalem, Capital of Israel in the Knesset – Geulah Cohen
He was nicknamed “The Father of the Prisoners” – Rabbi Aryeh Levin
The pupils will be divided into groups. Each group will get a card with information about one of the characters which they will get to know in depth. Afterwards they will introduce their character the rest of the class.
After each group introduces their character, we will have a discussion:
With which character would you like to have a cup of coffee?
Choose one character and think of a question you would like to ask them.
What do all the characters have in common?
How does the subject of mutual responsibility that you learned from this character reflect in your life?
What do you take from this character that you can express in your every day life
A game about mutual responsibility
Part 6
20 min
Game- “The Donators”
Every pupil will get the name of one of the characters we got to know, and 10 Israeli shekels for donations. (the money can be metaphorical or printed).
The teacher will read stories, and the kids can add stories they think of, and each pupil must decide where his character would decide to donate to.
One possibility is to go around and ask everyone to explain their choice, or just a few volunteers.
Every pupil chooses one value they learned from one of the characters, which they can apply in their everyday life.
It is optional to give each pupil a piece of paper, on it they can write the value they want to take from this activity, and three places they can apply it in their life.
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