Educating in a Time of Crisis
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We are heartbroken and outraged by the horrific situation continuing to unfold in Israel. We grieve for all who have been killed, injured, or taken hostage, and pray for a swift end to this darkness.
As events in Israel continue to evolve, The iCenter is creating resources and learning opportunities, as well as providing one-on-one support to think strategically about engaging in meaningful conversations with your community.
EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES
The iCenter team has put together an educational companion to enrich your 2024 Passover experience. We have curated timely educational resources that connect with 12 rituals which are central to Passover.
The Words Matters resources and activities can guide thoughtful, probing discussions around some of the hottest, most controversial issues related to the war.
The iCenter has curated this reading list to help us dive deeper into major topics related to the current crisis. We hope these books provide insight and context about Israeli society, key actors, and Israel’s place in the world.
Members of The iCenter team share some of the podcasts they’ve been listening to since October 7. Each in its own way, they all enable listeners to be in “conversation” with current events, trending topics, popular music, and more.
You’ve got questions; these FAQs offer lots of easy-to-access information to help dive deep as you guide learners through critical thinking about challenging topics of the day.
AUTHENTIC VOICES
Following the horrors of October 7, stories have begun to emerge of the heroism of everyday Israelis during the day itself and in the weeks following. Explore this selection of powerful stories of everyday Israelis stepping up to support people in their communities and across Israel in this time of crisis.
The rhythms of life for all Israelis were drastically changed following the shock of the October 7 attacks. Listen to Israelis of different backgrounds share how their lives have been altered—in ways big and small—as a result of the war.
The unfathomable number of victims of the October 7 attacks can be hard to comprehend. This selection of stories provides a look into the people whose lives were cut short. We encourage you to explore them and reflect on how the stories and their themes can be introduced to your learners.
During the attacks of October 7, Hamas and other terrorist groups abducted an estimated 240 Israelis and foreign nationals. In the months since some of these hostages have been released while some have been declared dead. We encourage you to explore these stories of those still waiting to come home, and reflect on how the stories and their themes can be introduced to your learners.
ART THAT CONNECTS US
Art expresses fear, love, anger, despair, and hope. The Design Duty portal offers digital illustrations for insight into Israel’s reality. This iCenter resource helps educators connect learners with Israel through art. All artwork is freely accessible for sharing.
Artistic expression is booming in Israel. Since October 7, Israeli artists across all disciplines are using their art as a way to take action and tell stories, as calls for political action, as a means of escape, as a way to remember and to foster unity, and so much more.
SONGS THAT SPEAK TO US
“Choref 23” (״חורף 23״) came out on October 22, less than 2 weeks after the October 7 massacres. It describes feelings many Israelis felt during the attack still feel today.
“U’me’poh Nakum” (״ומפה נקום״), is a song of hope that nostalgically describes the mundane life in Israel before the war and a hope to return to it and “rise” again.
Eyal Golan released “Am Yisrael Chai” (״עם ישראל חי״) on October 19th. It is a song of unity with religious references throughout, something uncommon in wartime songs in years past.
Doron Talmon, lead singer of Jane Bordeaux, wrote a new song, “Lo Levad” (לא לבד), meaning “Not Alone,” to help process the October 7 attacks. In the linked video, she opens with a brief poem about the emotions people are feeling after the attacks.
Shai Tsabari’s “Kochavim Bashamayim” (“כוכבים בשמיים”) allows us to reflect on October 7’s aftermath, exploring hope amidst despair. The song celebrates bravery and unity while acknowledging the daunting uncertainty of the future.
“Lashuv Habaitah” (“לשוב הביתה”), released by Ishai Ribo in 2017, reached #2 on the charts—unusual for an Orthodox Jew in Israel’s music scene. Since October 7, its poignant lyrics have been interpreted as a passionate hope for captives’ safe return.
Hanan Ben Ari released “Moledet” (״מולדת״), “Birthplace,” which explores how Israelis have pulled together in times of difficulty. Ben Ari said, “This song is dedicated to my nation. The one that we’ll create again when all this is over.”
In “T’filat Haderech” (“תפילת הדרך”), “The Traveler’s Prayer,” Shai Tsabari blends the traditional blessing with present-day challenges, offering comfort and unity to Israelis since October 7.
Music has the power to calm, heal, and give voice to emotions that can be difficult to express.
Explore this selection of songs curated for the challenging days since October 7.
Israel is filled with stories of musicians who are making their art and themselves available to the public. Many musicians are advocating for the hostages and creating beauty in times of hardship. Here is a sampling of some of those songs and stories.
POETRY THAT INSPIRES US
Between the Fragments of Kibbutz Be'eri
by Eliaz Cohen
Artwork by Alice Korenyouk
Hear, O Lord
by Eliaz Cohen
Artwork by Rotem Maor
For Weeks I've Been Bleeding Poems
by Eliaz Cohen
Artwork by Karin Mel
Good Day
by Tal Shavit
With gratitude to Rachel Korazim
Artwork by Revital Ziv
Now Close Your Eyes
by Eliaz Cohen
Artwork by Alice Korenyouk
Each of Us Has a Name
by Zelda
Artwork by Marie Lavis
The Silver Platter
by Natan Alterman
Artwork by Rotem Maor
VOICES FROM THE FIELD
IN SERVICE OF TRUTH
by Rabbi Jan Katzew
As servants of truth, educators in the trenchant phrase of Parker Palmer, require “the courage to teach,” to take a moral stand, to defy the post-modern trend of moral relativism, and state unequivocally that some actions are not only wrong; they are evil.
THE QUESTIONS OF TODAY
by Dr. Lesley Litman
Our families, children, and staff are bringing their questions and worries to us. Our job is not to have a ready answer to all questions. Rather, it is to listen carefully to the essence of the question and approach your response accordingly.
LOOKING BACK TO LOOK FORWARD
by Carl Schrag
As educators, we strive to provide context for understanding the content we teach. It can be overwhelming to learn about current developments if they’re approached in a vacuum, as if nothing that happened previously has set the scene.
AN ENDURING UNDERSTANDING
by Rabbi Jan Katzew
“As an educator, I am thinking about imprinting. What do I hope learners will remember 40 years from now? What will our current students be saying to their children and their students about October 7, 2023, and following?”
CONSULTATIONS
Schedule a Consultation
We are committed to helping you find intentional strategies for engagement in these unprecedented times. Sign up for an individual consultation with a senior iCenter educator who will support you in navigating this moment with your community.
WEBINAR RECORDINGS
Dr. Rachel Fish
As part of The iCenter’s Pro Seminar series, we’ll examine the significance of moral clarity when facing complex ethical dilemmas, strategies to cultivate moral courage, and valuable insights that can shape our perspectives and decision-making amidst today’s crisis.
Dr. Lesley Litman, Dan Tatar, and Ayal Weiner-Kaplow
Join together with The iCenter team to navigate through these challenging times for Israel and the Jewish world, and emerge with new insights and ideas for your school communities. In this interactive session, we will delve into the challenges day school educators and leaders are grappling with, drawing from some of the most common questions we’ve received in recent days. This will be a time to share your collective wisdom and to bring the questions you are hearing from your students, parents, and others.
Carl Schrag
Recent developments in Israel have sparked deep responses from people throughout our community and raised questions about how these events might affect the course of history. The iCenter’s senior educator Carl Schrag, former Editor of The Jerusalem Post, will provide context to current developments. Following a brief update, we’ll explore ways to bring the news to learners in meaningful and age-appropriate ways.
Leanne Matlow
Many of us are struggling with how to speak to our children and youth about the events in Israel, and how to answer their questions in a way that is truthful but also mindful of the mental health of those we love. To help respond to the many inquiries we have received about how to talk to our kids about Israel, we have organized an opportunity to learn with Leanne Matlow, a cognitive behavior therapy counselor from Toronto whose expertise is working with children and teens with anxiety.
CURATED RESOURCES
We invite you to explore resources created by our partner organizations.
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