[HANASHIR:14329] Re: Another Hatikvah question

[Shirona <shirona...>]

Well put, Rahel.  It seems we need more clarification of this sort amongst our 
own people... some of which who may have lost contact with their inner-compass.

Shirona
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Singer, Songwriter and Teacher of Jewish Music
 Visit my website at    www.shirona.com
Listen to my music at www.mp3.com/shirona
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  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: rahel 
  To: hanashir (at) shamash(dot)org 
  Sent: Tuesday, May 20, 2003 12:57 AM
  Subject: [HANASHIR:14327] Re: Another Hatikvah question


  Shalom, 

  A few years ago I was teaching a group of 8th/9th graders at Hebrew High. I 
was asked why, (here at school) we only learn about the Jews - Jewish 
perspective - on events in Israel? My answer was that they were here at Hebrew 
High to get a Jewish education - to understand how Jews think and feel - on any 
and all issues! This answer did not satisfy some of the students, and after 
more discussion, it came to light that what the students wanted was a more 
balanced perspective - they wanted to know about the Jews AND they wanted to 
know other perspectives as well. Because then they could formulate their own 
educated opinions. The staff took the students' point into consideration. We 
tried to invite guest speakers to present their perspectives on issues. We 
tried to present subjects based only on facts. Did we satisfy the students? 
Perhaps. Somewhat. In my opinion, we wasted a lot of valuable time. So little 
time is allowed in our busy lives to teaching Jews about Jews. Let's just stick 
to the point, shall we? 

  The next year, in a different class at a different synagogue, I was asked by 
a student if I could teach the class about Jesus Christ. I declined stating 
that we were here to learn about Judaism. I suggested that they could research 
about Jesus Christ in many other places and on their own time. 

  Teens are notorious for trying to manipulate a discussion AWAY from the 
required curriculum. They love to distract a teacher off subject! 

  It is our job as educators to make sure that our Jewish students receive a 
Jewish education. We are not Arabs, Palestinians, Christians, Buddhists or 
anyone else. We are Jews. We are Jews because our Jewish heritage has been 
taught us throughout the centuries and throughout the generations. It is our 
job to teach Hatikvah with the correct wording that is sung IN ISRAEL because 
it is Israel's national anthem. It is our job to teach about Israel because it 
is part of our heritage (and identity) as Jews. It is our job to teach the 
Jewish perspective about various world issues and events as much as it is our 
job to teach the Jewish perspective on sex, drugs and rock and roll. It is our 
job to teach about G-d. Yes, G-d IS part of being Jewish. I am assuming that 
parents send their children to Sunday/Hebrew school to get a Jewish education. 
I am assuming that this means we are to teach about Jewish laws, traditions AND 
perspective, and not just to have students learn a Hebrew passage memorized and 
chanted by rote in order to participate in some vague and meaningless ceremony 
commonly known as a "Bar/Bat Mitzvah". 

  If singing Hatikvah (correctly) is, or becomes irrelevant to us as Jews, 
because we are overly concerned about someone else's opinion and reaction our 
country's national anthem, then I really don't know what we're doing here 
anymore at all. To me this is a NON-issue. As Jews, we sing HaTikvah because it 
is part of our Jewish lives. It is the national anthem of a legitimate state, 
part of the United Nations and today's world. 

  Teens, especially, need to know firmly and without question, what it means to 
be a Jew. We, as Jewish educators, must accept our role and responsibility in 
passing on our Jewish identity, laws, traditions, customs and national anthems 
to our youth. 

  Rahel



   




  At 11:48 AM 5/19/2003 -0400, you wrote:

    Another question about this song...

    In my work as a religious school teacher, songleader and music specialist, 
I have lately been questioned by my older students (middle and high school age) 
about the "relevance" of singing Hatikvah in light of current events. As one of 
my seventh-graders put it, "If I were an Arab member of the Knesset and had to 
stand while the song was being sung at the opening of session, I'm not sure HOW 
I'd feel. It sure doesn't speak to the Israeli-Arab's view of things."

    I've already brought this question to my Educator, who says to welcome the 
questions, but that as long as the song remains the national anthem of Israel, 
we will sing it (and I will continue to teach it) at religious school 
Israeli-related events.

    I would welcome the perspectives of other teachers who have faced similar 
questions, and how they worked with them in the context of a lesson. Thanks in 
advance. --Beth Hamon