<HTML>Although I am in no way versed in Jewish History, I do have a decent
amount of experience in running trips to Israel. So, I decided to reply
to the question about how much yishuv history to throw at a group from
March of the Living.
Groups that arrive from Poland are usually overwhelmed with "Zionist"
emotion - so much so that running any type of educational program in
Israel becomes difficult. The release of tension is usually let out on
Ben Yehuda, and after the experience of Auschwitz, the kids feel like they
are living the Zionist dream! Who needs to hike a mountain when I can
eat a kosher whopper? Therefore it is important to present an educational
message that is different than what they expect - or what they can
experience in much more fun ways. I have found that connecting the
dilemmas of Eastern Europe with the dilemmas of creating the Jewish State
- and living with the problems (and thanking G-d for them!) can be very
inspiring and can actually help maintain some of the energy that was
created in Poland. Sites that help make this connection can be very
useful (Atlit, Acco, kibbutz lochamei hagetaot, etc.) Speakers,
survivors, etc. who either had to make the transition from Europe to
Israel - or had to struggle with real-Israel issues on this side of the
ocean, can be excellent (puah shteiner speaks about 1948 old city for
example).
I learned a long time ago that trying to convince 16 year old kids that
Israel can compete with America on gashmiyut grounds is a battle that we
will probably lose. showing Israel in a glorified way that is not a
realistic picture will ultimately create cynicism. showing them that
Israel is a real place with real problems and real issues and yet it is
worth the struggle is probably our best bet - and kids coming straight
from Poland are probably the most open to a Jewish State on ideological
grounds despite the hardships (although kfc certainly doesn't hurt!)
On the other hand, too much history right after the emotion-filled time in
Poland will probably back-fire. I suggest that you find creative ways to
expose them to the dilemmas and raise the issues, without over-doing the
"formal" educational material. They will probably not remember whether
Kastner was a person or a boat, a Jew or a Brit - but if done properly you
can get them to think about the dilemma of "collaborate with the enemy to
save some Jews or fight an all-out war". you can then tie that in to the
peace process today, etc. If you make good use of multi-media, films,
etc. on these topics and use on-site instruction rather than facts ,
figures and dates (not to mention tying the issues directly to their
experience in Poland - i.e. the dilemma that the judenrat faced or the
Sonderkommandos, etc.) then you have the makings of a good educational
program that will have an impact (even though the facts themselves will
probably be lost). The more you are able to introduce the concepts while
still in Poland, the better.
If you need more specific advice, email me directly at
dkatz@virtual.co.il
David Katz,
Administrative Director - Michlelet Mevaseret Yerushalayim</HTML>
