Summing up. Big Question: What next for me on my Israel Journey?

Transcription

1 Summing up Goals: To facilitate feedback and debrief of the learning period To clarify and fix the Four Hatikvah Questions as the ongoing framework for approaching Israel To begin to concentrate participants thoughts as to what their next steps will be in their Israel journey. Big Question: What next for me on my Israel Journey? Materials Needed: Computer with speakers or projector for video (should have the links launched and ready to go prior to the session so you can just hit play when it s time to watch) Print-outs of the texts for study Pen and paper for participants to write on Flip-chart/white board, and markers Session Outline: Segment Time Description Part 1: Statues of Memory 15 minutes Part 2: What was Your 30 minutes Question? Part 3: Where to next? Part 4: Indian Love Song 20 minutes 30 minutes Create a statue exhibition of everyone s key memories from the course Exploring which of the Four Hatikvah Questions still remain a challenge Beginning to gather understandings of where the participants would like to go next on their Israel Journey How do you feel about Israel? Exploring our feelings, using Alma Zohar s song as a metaphor 1

2 Introduction Over this past period we ve been exploring Israel through the Four Questions that emerge from the Hatikvah national anthem. To Be? a People? Free? In Our Land? In some sessions the questions have been more conceptual, or even philosophical, and in others they have been more practical, more down to earth. We looked at [here give them a run-through of the sessions that they experienced, allowing them to remember the breadth and depth of their journey up until now.] 1. The Statues of Memory Ask everyone to try to remember what was the most powerful/significant moment for them over the course. When did they have an aha!, or even a wow? Have them all remember where they were, physically, at that particular moment. Ask everyone to place themselves in a freeze, somewhere in the room (ideally in the exact spot where it happened) in that moment of recalled inspiration. [In this way, everyone arranges themselves in a statue exhibition of all their key moments of the course.] Ask everyone to freeze. Then touch each person on the shoulder, one by one. When touched on the shoulder, without losing their statue-shape, they must explain to everyone what is the moment that they are commemorating in their statue. Go round the exhibition, hearing everyone s moment. [Depending on the group, and on the statues, you might also tap one person at a time to step out of their freeze and allow them to look at all the other statues together. It s often quite powerful.] 2. What Was Your Question? Split the participants into pairs or small groups, and ask them to discuss among themselves which of the Four Questions struck them as the most complex to get a handle on. Once they have chosen one Question, they must prepare a short presentation of the issues they have with that particular Question. Each pair presents their issue. 2

3 A general gathering of what emerged from this sharing of issues. Were all Four Questions noted? Why? Why not? Does anyone share the others issues? Can anyone clear up the others issues? 3. Where to next? In pairs, have participants discuss which of the Four Questions, or which combination of the Four Questions, they would like to explore further. Then ask them to write down in relation to 4HQ or in relation to Israel in general: What would they like to know more about? What would they like to do more about? What kind of person would they like to meet or hear more from? Write up all the information on a white-board or clip chart, and in addition to listening carefully and actively, see whether what ends up being written forms itself naturally into interest groups? Are there any activities or programs on offer at Hillel or elsewhere that might meet these states interests or needs? 4. Indian Love Song This song is written by Alma Zohar, whom we met in the first session on Freedom. Zohar herself spent many years traveling through Africa, and this song is about her confused return to Israel. We should not place too much significance on Zohar s use of Indian in this context. We have it on good authority that in reality the Miguel character is African! Screen the song with the translation. Hand out the translation sheet, and hold a general discussion: In this love song, a woman grapples with her relationship with two men: Miguel overseas and Moshe in Israel. What if we were to look at the two boyfriends (Miguel and Moshe) as metaphors for our relationship with Israel? Why do you think she came back to Israel why is she with Moshe? By saying either you re with him or you re with me Moshe seems to present her with a choice: you re either with me, or you re not. If we take Moshe as a metaphor for Israel, he could be understood to be saying: You re either in love with Israel or not. Is this the way in which you relate to Israel? Is it that straightforward with you? 3

4 The woman lists many of her daily struggles in Israel: no gas or electricity, economic downturn, desert heat. This seems to tie in with a Classic Zionist approach, that often says that life in the Diaspora is dream-like and not connected to reality, while life in Israel is the real, raw Jewish existence. Is that how you experience your Jewish identity in outside of Israel? Is it more dream-like? Do you find yourself, like the woman in the song, reluctantly drawn to the dirt of the real, or prefer the comforts of home? Might Miguel be likened to the Diaspora, calling Israel? Have you ever felt that you call Israel to tell Her that you love it? And if you have, have you ever found that your love is not returned? 5. Goodbyes and Thank-yous! This might possibly be the last time you see these folks! Make sure that it isn t Take close note of their future interests mentioned in part 3, and be sure to follow them up. Good luck! 4

5 Post-Session Reflection for the Facilitator Success Checklist: To facilitate feedback and debrief of the learning period To clarify and fix the Four Hatikvah Questions as the ongoing framework for approaching Israel To begin to concentrate participants thoughts as to what their next steps will be in their Israel journey. How did it go? Reflection on the session: In the "Success Checklist," if you aren't able to answer "yes," to the questions, why do you think these objectives weren't achieved? What was one thing that surprised you during the session? What was something that happened that you weren't prepared for? Did anything emerge in the group that requires your follow-up? Is there anything you want to discuss with your mentor or supervisor? 5

6 Indian Love Song Alma Zohar Four in the morning, a ring wakes me Still sleeping, I answer while coughing Can t hear all that well It s apparently an overseas call Hello? Hello? ארבע לפנות בוקר, מעיר אותי צלצול, עדיין ישנה, אני עונה מתוך שיעול. לא שומעים כל כך טוב, זו כנראה שיחה מחו"ל. הלו? הלו? Mi amor, it's Miguel, I'm calling you in Israel Just to say that I love you, Just to say that I love you. Who? Miguel? It lands on me like a blow Crazy nights in a teepee and fishing rods A love only possible in a faraway land And I m a million light-years away from there Deep in confusion Still not got my act together Since I got back from abroad Yesterday they cut off my electricity In two months I ll have no gas Still playing but nothing s shifting. מי? מיגל? זה נוחת עלי כמו מכה, לילות טרופים בטיפי ודיג עם חכה, אהבה שאפשרית רק בארץ רחוקה. ואני מליון שנות אור משם, עמוק בתוך בלבול, עוד לא התאפסתי מאז שחזרתי מחו"ל. אתמול ניתקו את החשמל, חודשיים אין לי גז, עדיין מנגנת אבל שום דבר לא זז. Mi amor, it's Miguel, I'm calling you in Israel Just to say that I love you, Just to say that I love you. For a moment it sounds so possible Just take off I m coming! I tell him. Why not? Life is a movie I m a liberated woman. לרגע זה נשמע לי כל כך אפשרי, פשוט להמריא, coming, I'm אני אומרת לו, למה לא? החיים הם סרט, אני אשה משוחררת.

7 Indian Love Song Alma Zohar Go explain to him that me and you Is a rut of years standing Language War and Recession and Hot Winds He s a Red Indian what does he understand? The call is cut off, I m silent. You sit on the bed with a serious look. Now it s real. Honey, this is Moshe. Listen, either either You re with him, or you re with me.., לך תסביר לו שאני ואתה זה שריטה של שנים, שפה מלחמה ומיתון וחמסין. הוא בכלל אינדיאני, מה הוא מבין? השיחה מתנתקת, אני משתתקת, אתה מתיישב במיטה בפרצוף רציני עכשיו זה אמיתי. "מאמי, זה משה. תקשיבי, או ש.. או ש ".. את איתו, או שאת איתי. I love you! Hello? Baby... I Love you.