Democracy and The Book of Nechemia
Date: Semester 1: 2020-2021
Teachers: Rabbi Tavi Koslowe & Rabbi Zachary Rothblatt
Grade: 10th/11th
Subjects: Beit Midrash
Project Description:
In 10th and 11th grade Beit Midrash, as in Humanities, students explored the concept of democracy, albeit through a Jewish lens. With Sefer Nechemia (Nehemia) as their primary text, students engaged in close readings, thoughtful seminars and varied digital products as they created a virtual tour of this timeless book.
Essential Questions:
How can the Book of Nechemia contribute to our understanding of the structure and values of democracy today?
Content:
Close textual reading of Sefer Nechemia along with medieval and modern commentaries as we explored topics/questions, including :
Skills:
Values:
Project Deliverables:
A virtual tour of Sefer Nechemia that was made up of smaller digital products, samples of which can be seen below:
In 10th and 11th grade Beit Midrash, as in Humanities, students explored the concept of democracy, albeit through a Jewish lens. With Sefer Nechemia (Nehemia) as their primary text, students engaged in close readings, thoughtful seminars and varied digital products as they created a virtual tour of this timeless book.
Essential Questions:
How can the Book of Nechemia contribute to our understanding of the structure and values of democracy today?
Content:
Close textual reading of Sefer Nechemia along with medieval and modern commentaries as we explored topics/questions, including :
- How have Biblical texts inspired modern speeches of democracy?
- How has prayer been used by leaders to clarify their cause/inspire their people?
- What are the potential benefits/downsides of having a religious Jew in an influential position of government?
- What is our communal responsibility to the poor? What is the Jewish concept of financial stability? How should resources be distributed in a democracy?
- How have democracies been affected by assassinations or assassination attempts?
- Why are population records important to democracies?
- What should be the relationship between church and state? Is there a place for religious enforcement within a democracy?
Skills:
- Acclimate to and utilize the Chavruta [learning in partnership] protocol
Values:
- Develop an understanding of and appreciation for the contribution and relevance of Torah sources on the values of today.
Project Deliverables:
A virtual tour of Sefer Nechemia that was made up of smaller digital products, samples of which can be seen below:
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Sample of Chapter 1 Deliverable:
Creative Display of Introduction to Nechemia My project for the First Chapter of Nechemia is a short stick figure animation very briefly summarizing some of the main plot points of the chapter. I chose the medium I did for this project to highlight the overall simplicity and linear structure of the first chapter and how little information we really get. The overall question i was posing through was why Nechemia reacted so suddenly and intensely towards the news that some of Jerusalem was in shambles. - Eli S. |
Sample of Chapter 2 Deliverable:
Written Reflection on Nechemia's Strategy |
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Sample of Chapter 3 Deliverable:
Visual Representation of the Walls |
Sample of Chapter 4 Deliverable:
Stop Motion Videos of Defending the Walls |
Video by Elie. R.
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Video by Ezra G.
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Sample of Chapter 5 Deliverable:
Thesis Video: Was Nechemia Brilliant or Wasting his Time with his Ideas of Economic Reform? |
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Sample of Chapter 8 Deliverable:
The Return of Sukkot Artist's Message |
Sample of Chapter 9 Deliverable:
Animated Video of Jewish History |
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Sample of Chapter 10 Deliverable:
Group Presentation on: A Jewish State or State for the Jews |
Sample of Chapter 11 Deliverable:
A Written Reflection on Answering the Call |
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Sample of Chapter 12 Deliverable:
A Visual Diagram of the Dedication Ceremony |
Sample of Chapter 13 Deliverable:
A Summative Artwork for Sefer Nechemia |
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The full collection of student virtual tours on Sefer Nechemia can be found by clicking here.