Created by the KKL-JNF for middle school students and older, the following two activities focus on the establishment of the State of Israel and the Declaration of Independence. Students will not only learn historical information, but also form personal connections and opinions to these topics. Both activities are modular, with various components that you can pick and choose from to adjust the activity for different age groups, goals, and time frames. The activity kits below includes a detailed program outline for each activity as well as all of the accompanying aids and resources. Click on the buttons to view and download.
The Overseas Education Department and the Education and Community Division of KKL-JNF are pleased to share our educational activity kits. Feel free to download and use these resources however you see fit. Good luck and enjoy!
If you have any questions or feedback, contact Dovi Paritsky: dovip@kkl.org.il, 972-2 6583328
The Birth of a Nation
This activity introduces students to the historical events that led to the Declaration of the State of Israel, the challenges and dilemmas faced by the founders of the State, and the significance of the Declaration of Independence. Each student will be encouraged to discover how this historic event in Jewish history is personally relevant today. The program outline contains thorough instructions for the program moderator, including the aims of the activity, the required equipment, and how and when to use the accompanying resources. The activity will take between 45 minutes and 3 hours, depending on which components you choose to include. The six Historical Events Cards provided below are for the opening activity, in which students will be tasked with putting the events in chronological order. The Our Declaration Poster provided below is for the closing activity, in which students must write their own visions and goals for the future of the State of Israel.
The Declaration of Independence
This activity explores different aspects of the Declaration of Independence, including the key elements of the text and its relevance today, as well as the influence of American Jewry, the United States, and JNF-KKL on the writing of the establishment of the State of Israel. The program outline contains thorough instructions for the program moderator, including the aims of the activity, the required equipment, and how and when to use the accompanying resources. The activity will take between 45-90 minutes, depending on which components you choose to include, including those that explore historical and contemporary figures, places in Israel, JNF enterprises, and the character of modern Israel.