MY FAMILY
THE BETA ISRAEL CURRICULUM
STARTER
Teachers should begin the unit by sharing a page divided into two columns. Both columns should be blank, other than the titles below. Students should be asked to suggest ideas that belong in each column.
| BASIC THINGS PEOPLE NEED TO SURVIVE | CHALLENGES THAT MAKE SURVIVAL HARD |
| |
In the column BASIC THINGS PEOPLE NEED TO SURVIVE,
students should suggest ideas such as:
FOOD, WATER, LAND, SHELTER, STABILITY
In the column, CHALLENGES THAT MAKE IT HARD TO SURVIVE,
students should suggest ideas such as:
FAMINE, RELIGIOUS PERSECUTION, FORCED CONVERSIONS, RESTRICTIONS ON LAND OWNERSHIP
During the exercise, teachers should prompt students to suggest the expected ideas with creative questions, perhaps about current events. While some students may list the correct items for each list, it is likely teachers will need to suggest ideas. At the end of the exercise, teachers should ask students:
Do you understand the various challenges that faced the Beta Israel in Ethiopia because of the restrictions that were placed against their communities?
Following this exercise, teachers should explain:
In Unit 2, we will be learning about the life of the Beta Israel community in Ethiopia. Do you remember from Unit 1 that the Beta Israel are an important community in the Jewish family?
As we discussed, many believe that the Beta Israel are descendants from one of the lost Tribes of Israel, the Tribe of Dan. There is so much to learn about this unique Jewish community. It might surprise you to know that during their long history in Ethiopia, the Beta Israel often lacked food and water, and suffered through many famines. For long stretches of time, the Beta Israel were not allowed to own land. The Beta Israel were often persecuted for their religious beliefs and forced to convert to Christianity.
Yet, despite all these challenges, the Beta Israel survived as a community because of their devout faith in Judaism and Zionism. Not long ago, the Beta Israel finally rejoined the rest of the Jewish people. The experience of the Beta Israel can teach us so many lessons about the importance of physical and spiritual resilience, both as Jews and as human beings.
