The Israel Layers Project
![Picture](/uploads/1/3/2/5/132544608/published/img-1586.jpg?1644512263)
Date: Semester 1, 2021-2022
Teachers: Rabbi Tavi Koslowe, Aryeh Laufer, Eddie Maza and Ben Zion Ferziger
Grade: 11th/12th
Subjects: Beit Midrash, Humanities, Engineering
Project Description:
Throughout this semester, our 11th and 12th grade students engaged in deep learning about both the biblical and modern land of Israel. Based on their multi-layered learning in Beit Midrash, Humanities, and Engineering, the students created an engaging and thoughtful exhibit of this sacred land and its people. In Beit Midrash, we studied and discussed selections from Tanach, Torah She’Baal Peh, and Halacha on topics such as understanding the biblical narrative of the land, understanding how the Mitzvot Ha’Tluyot Ba’Aretz (laws that are only relevant within the Land of Israel) were observed historically and today, as well as a text-based tour of the cities that were traversed by our Patriarchs and Matriarchs. This was complemented by our Humans of Israel class where students explored Israel today through data analysis as well as interviews and conversations with residents from a variety of backgrounds.
Essential Questions:
How might an understanding of the Biblical narrative of Israel help us understand the people and issues affecting the modern State of Israel?
Who does the Land of Israel belong to?
What makes a place special or sacred?
Content:
A full collection of the source materials used within our Beit Midrash can be found here.
Our curriculum in Beit Midrash explored three areas:
Skills:
Depending on the working group that a student chose, they utilized skills such as:
Values:
Project Deliverables:
Throughout this semester, our 11th and 12th grade students engaged in deep learning about both the biblical and modern land of Israel. Based on their multi-layered learning in Beit Midrash, Humanities, and Engineering, the students created an engaging and thoughtful exhibit of this sacred land and its people. In Beit Midrash, we studied and discussed selections from Tanach, Torah She’Baal Peh, and Halacha on topics such as understanding the biblical narrative of the land, understanding how the Mitzvot Ha’Tluyot Ba’Aretz (laws that are only relevant within the Land of Israel) were observed historically and today, as well as a text-based tour of the cities that were traversed by our Patriarchs and Matriarchs. This was complemented by our Humans of Israel class where students explored Israel today through data analysis as well as interviews and conversations with residents from a variety of backgrounds.
Essential Questions:
How might an understanding of the Biblical narrative of Israel help us understand the people and issues affecting the modern State of Israel?
Who does the Land of Israel belong to?
What makes a place special or sacred?
Content:
A full collection of the source materials used within our Beit Midrash can be found here.
Our curriculum in Beit Midrash explored three areas:
- A biblical orientation to "The Promised Land," where we studied sources on topics such as:
- What exactly was the divine promise of the land of Israel?
- How do we reconcile the various descriptions of the borders of Israel?
- Is there a Mitzvah to live in Israel and, if so, why don't more Jews live there?
- An overview of the Mitzvot Ha'Tluyot Ba'Aretz (the laws that are most relevant to the land of Israel), where we discussed both the historical and modern observance:
- Shemitah (the Sabbatical year)
- Orlah (the forbidden produce of fruit trees during their first years)
- Terumah and Ma'aser (annual gifts to the priests and leviites)
- A textual tour of some cities that were significant in the time of the Patriarchs and Matriarchs, such as:
- Shechem
- Chevron
- Beit El
- Be'er Sheva
Skills:
Depending on the working group that a student chose, they utilized skills such as:
- Interviewing skills
- Data visualization
- Arduino coding
- Python coding
- Woodworking
- Painting
- Website design
Values:
- Develop an understanding and appreciation for the historical significance of the land of Israel.
- Develop an understanding and appreciation for some of the many different perspectives that exist within the modern State of Israel
- Explore the person relevance of Israel within the life of each student
Project Deliverables:
- A 6'x5' mosaic map of Israel that has LED lights coded with an Arduino board to:
- Illuminate the travelings of Abraham throughout the land of Israel
- Designate the borders of Israel as determined by the conquest of Joshua - "Olei Mitzrayim"
- Designate the borders of Israel as determined by the conquest of Ezra - "Olei Bavel"
- A vertical hydroponic planter that demonstrates one of the ways that Shemitah produce may be consumed in modern-day Israel.
- A revolving fruit tree that describes the laws and explanations of Orlah.
- A Terumah & Ma'aser display that houses a Python coded calculator for determining a farmer's yearly obligations to tithe. You can access the calculator here.
- A visual collection of snippets from student interviews where they asked participants about their perspective on the modern State of Israel
- A digital visualization of data that tells a story about the land or people of Israel