<HTML>
The Jerusalem Report recently requested readers to submit a list of 10
Jews who they felt most influenced the world & Jewry. I am planning on
taking this idea & adapting it to a middle school setting. (However, this
idea can be adapted to any age level.)
I plan on compiling a list of potential/suggested candidates along with a
brief biography on each of them. The Judaic Studies teacher(s) will
discuss all of these individuals and their various achievements while the
Social Studies teacher(s) will address how one generally impacts on
society. Then the English teacher(s) will assign an essay asking each
student to write an essay explaining who they feel are the 10 most
important/influential Jews of the Millennium. (In the Jerusalem Report, a
Jew is anyone born a Jew and their greatness or influence is not based
upon being Jewish. For example, Karl Marx. For my purposes I plan on
limiting this project to Jews whose contribution to society was as a Jew,
not incidental of their Jewishness.)
Once the Jerusalem Report publishes the responses I can go back to my
students and ask them we they didn't have so-and-so on their list & the
Jerusalem Report did and vice versa.
We may publish a book of the best essays or put a couple in the yearbook
or school newsletter.
I am considering setting some limits so that students don't only choose 10
people from this century. For example, 3 people from the Middle Ages,
1 Zionist, 2 Women, 1 person currently living, etc. Any suggestions for
what those limits should be?
If you have any suggestions of potential candidates or as to how to
implement this program that would be greatly appreciated.
Daniel Rothner
HAFTR Middle School
drothner@ymail.yu.edu</HTML>
