Rationale

This lesson provides an opportunity for students to learn about volunteer opportunities in
Israel, the organizations that coordinate short term volunteer programs, and the stories of
several volunteers.

Instruct students to discuss the following questions:

• Why did you choose this activity?
  
• What kind of difference can you make here?
  
• How do you think will you feel while you are volunteering?
  
• How do you think you will feel after volunteering?
  

Have each group select a reporter to share its ideas with the whole group.

Rationale

The purpose of this lesson is to provide students with an opportunity to learn about the
spirit of the Jewish People, and how that spirit empowers them to succeed in the face of
adversity.

Instruct students to discuss the following questions:

• What reasons do they give for choosing to move?
• What are their hopes for their new life?
• What does their story tell you about the Land of Israel?

Rationale

This lesson provides an opportunity for students to break away from stereotypical
portrayals of Israel and take an inside look at non traditional sports and the people who
participate, the high tech industry, and the integration of an agricultural people into the
modern world.

Objectives

Instruct students to discuss the following questions:

• What is the unexpected twist in the story about women playing American
football in Israel?
• What is unusual about the climate for start‐up businesses in Israel?
• We meet two college students preparing for careers in computer science
and accounting. What is the special twist in this story?

Israel Saves Sudanese Refugees

Rationale

This lesson provides participants with an opportunity to experience Israel in action,
protecting and caring for non-Jewish refugees from a Muslim country in catastrophe.

Objectives
The participant will
• Gain a deeper understanding of Israel as a “light unto the nations” through its
care for, and protection of, Muslim Sudanese refugees from Darfur
• Discuss the unique situation of the Darfur refugees in Israel
• Explore Israel’s leading role in worldwide humanitarian relief

Instruct students to discuss the following questions:

• Why did you choose this activity?
  
• What kind of difference can you make here?
  
• How do you think will you feel while you are volunteering?
  
• How do you think you will feel after volunteering?
  

Have each group select a reporter to share its ideas with the whole group.

Materials

• Map of Africa and the Middle East with pushpins marking Nyala and Khartoum (Sudan), Cairo (Egypt) and Israel
• Map of Sudan with Darfur region highlighted

Handouts

• Israel – On the Frontline of Humanitarian Aid Worldwide

Rationale

This lesson provides an opportunity for participants to learn about a new, grassroots approach to peacemaking through the discipline of martial arts.

Objectives
The participant will
• Learn how basic barriers to peace and coexistence – namely, ignorance and
fear -- are being overcome through this innovative project
• Become aware of peace-building efforts initiated by Israeli Jews and Arabs, and
supported by (among others) the government of Japan

Materials/Handouts

• You will need a blackboard, whiteboard or flip chart/easel paper for the preand
  post-viewing activities
  
• Handout: Budo for Peace and Martial Arts
  

Rationale

This lesson provides an opportunity for participants to learn about a life-saving medical initiative in Israel that is also helping to build bridges of understanding between nations.

Objectives

The participant will
• Become aware of this international medical humanitarian project based in Israel
• Learn about the concept of tikkun olam – repairing the world – and its
application through volunteer service (see handout attached)
• Participate in a hands-on service project to send comfort to children with severe
health challenges

PREPARING THE CLASS TO VIEW THE DVD

Prior to the class, using the Save a Child’s Heart spreadsheet (page 7 of this packet), place a red pushpin on -- or as close as possible to -- every one of the 42 countries listed on the sheet. Add one red pushpin on Israel.

• Ask the class if anyone can identify what all of these countries have in common.
  Write responses on the board or a flip pad. Circle the word(s) that come closest
  to the concepts of crisis, humanitarian work, or children.
  
• Ask the class what the color red is known for. Write responses on the board or flip
  pad. Circle the word heart (a certain response, or a guided response)
  
• Replace the red pushpin on Israel with a blue or white one, and tell the class that
  what these countries have in common is the Israeli volunteer organization, Save
  a Child’s Heart. Read the introduction above.

Rationale

This lesson provides an opportunity for participants to learn about an Israeli social justice
project in Nepal that is helping people who struggle for basic necessities like clean
water, health care and education for their children.

OBJECTIVES:

The Learner Will:

• Become more knowledgeable about Nepal and its people
  
• Learn about Israelis’ post-army experience and the role this experience plays in
  shaping their lives
  
• Understand the role of volunteers in developing international partnerships and
  relations between countries
  

Preparing the class to view the story

Post world map in front of the classroom. Invite a participant to read the summary of this news story. Ask another participant to identify Nepal on the world map (and, if large cities are visible on that map, identify Katmandu). Ask the participants to identify some of the characteristics of Nepal [answers may include: remote, mountainous, landlocked, location of Mt. Everest]. Ask for some characteristics of its people [answers may include: poor, tribal, underprivileged]. Write answers on the board. Now, ask 5 participants to guess how many Israelis travel to Nepal and the region each year. Write answers on the board, along with their names.