Jewish History

Description

JEWISH HISTORY: BIBLICAL ERA – ENLIGHTENMENT

Course Level: Grade 7 – Up

Description:
History of the Jewish People from the Beginning of Time through the Enlightenment. This course covers the people and events, along with overview and analysis explaining how changes evolved and how the chain of Torah-true Judaism continued to flourish and spread worldwide.
Students analyze patterns and discuss how the Jewish People survived persecution and spiritual threats. Lessons are expanded with audio-visual presentations and virtual field trips to important landmarks. Expanded coverage of leading personalities, with stories, deepens students’ understanding and connection to the era.

Course Style:
Students listen to audio/video presentations, and read text, maps, and writings from each era. Students write timelines, discuss events and their impact in a classroom discussion board, and take unit quizzes on each era. Each student keeps a running list of Major People, Places, and Events that is submitted at the end of the course.
Labs include 9 topics that are studied with research, analysis, and the student’s own conclusions.

Syllabus:
1) Overview. Introduction to Jewish History and Principles of Biblical History
2) The Beginning of Time – The Origin of the Jewish People
3) Lab: Anti-Semitism – Why Are Jews Hated?
4) From Egypt to the Promised Land
5) Lab: How to Learn from Stories of Biblical Personalities
6) Joshua and Judges
7) Samuel and Saul
8) King David and King Solomon
9) Kingdom of Israel
10) First Temple and Destruction
11) Lab: Esther and Women in Jewish History
12) Second Temple and Men of Great Assembly
13) Second Temple – From Greeks to Destruction
14) Lab: Survival of Jewish Observance through Ultimate Dedication
15) Destruction of Second Temple
16) Lab: Archaeology of the Churban, Virtual Tours
17) Compilation of Mishnah
18) Era of Talmud
19) Lab: Explore Hidden Treasures of Cairo Jewry and the Dead Sea Scrolls
20) Gaonic Jewry
21) Dark Ages – Europe
22) Lab: Blood Libel and Conspiracy Theories
23) Rambam and Arabic Jewish Communities
24) French Jewry with Virtual Tour of Landmarks
25) Spanish Jewry with Virtual Tour of Landmarks
26) German Jewry with Virtual Tour of Landmarks
27) Jews of Israel and Tzefat
28) Lab: Shabbetai Zvi – False Messiah
29) Polish Jewry and Enlightenment
30) Lab: Secular Jews and the Reform Movement

Note: This course can be customized to match a specific school syllabus.