Important note regarding the copying of programmes

Aims / Objectives :
• Our vision for the future
• What kind of nation do we want to be?
• Methods of achieving this aim as
- a nation
- individuals

Trigger :
Enacting story of ‘The last Jew’:


The Last Jew

My name? My name is not important.

Who am I? I am the last Jew. The year is 2124, the place is the Smithsonian Institute is Washington D.C. I am in this museum, in a cage on exhibit. People pass my way, day in and out, staring, pointing, and even sometimes laughing. On the walls surrounding my exhibit are the remnants of a Jewish culture; a talit, a Torah, the books of the Talmud. Each day, as I sit here watching the people pass, I wonder to myself how six and a half million people who existed as Jews a little over a century ago could have possible vanished. My father and grandfather used to talk with me about the Jewish communities in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries; about the large populations in Los Angeles, New York, Chicago, Pittsburgh, and world-wide organizations like United Synagogue, B'nai B'rith and so many others. I recall my father telling me how successful and prosperous the Jew in America was. And about a land called Israel. And yet, all this has vanished--all this has disappeared. I contemplate the reasons, I recall the events, and I search for an answer. I now believe that I know how the Jews in America and in the world disappeared. Small things at first, things that happened gradually. Jewish families stopped attending Shabbat services, the parents stopped sending their children to religious schools, Hebrew High School, day schools and Bar Mitzvah classes. The Shabbat candles were never lit. My grandfather told me that they were still good Jews--some of them spoke Yiddish, they attended Yom Kippur service, they held a Passover Seder each year. Some of them were Jewish by heart; others by tradition and others by stomach. However, the books tell me that in time, this too, ended. To attend a Kol Nidre service became a chore, not an honor--to hold a Seder became a task, not a joy. The rituals and observances of Judaism began to vanish, and this I believe was the first step. Intermarriage was in order. The Rabbi became a businessman, not a teacher. Orthodox, Conservative, and Reform were quarreling. I was reading of a Rabbi, Mordecai Rosenberg, who demanded that Jews fight for emancipation between the American community and the Jewish community, to put aside all difference. In time, the Jew did become equal. He attained material success, and he achieved sustained equality. The Jew was at the same level socially as any Christian. Hatred toward the Jew soon died off, and nowhere was there heard a shout of bigotry towards the Jew. And with this fight for equality, all differences were put aside, including religious differences. Jews stopped hanging mezuzot on their doors, as it merely proved them different. Jews when asked if they were Jewish, would either give a brisk "no" or no answer at all. They were Americans first. A non-religious Judaism was established in America. Why didn't these people see that a non-religious Judaism couldn't exist? Judaism obviously needs Jews, but also, Jews need Judaism. Without one, the other is dead. Why didn't those people see it? Why did Ashkenazi and Sephardic Jews fight?

And then, the final blow to the Jew came. It occurred about 50 years ago, and so I can recall it vividly. The Arab nations around the Jewish state of Israel grew restless and strong. As they have since the beginning of recorded history, the Arab nations wanted Israel destroyed. And they acted. With two nuclear pellets, three and a half million Israelis were obliterated, and the land that had once flowed with milk and honey was now charred beyond fertility. When the news of the incident flashed across the globe, the Jew in America turned his head, denied concern and replied, "Really, what could I have done?" Yet, little over 150 years ago, a man in World War II was supposed to have slaughtered six million Jews in Germany, and my father told me that people swore they would never forget. They promised that they would always support the Jews across the continents. They pledged their donations towards the development of Israel, and they vowed their allegiances were forgotten. Any responsibility of the American Jew to Israel was ignored. How forgetful a people can be! When the people lost their pride in themselves, their religion, and their Israel, they lost everything. As it was once said, "If I am not for myself, who will be for me?" I am the last American Jew. In less than twenty years, I too, will die. And never again will another Jew set foot on this planet.

My G-d, my G-d, where did we forsake you?

Main part of the programme :
Chanichim split up into 5 groups – 2 madrichim with each

Basic form is:

Group split in half – enter room given a few chairs and individually have to get from one side of the room to the other using only one chair – not possible- say that all four feet of the chair have to be on floor when person is standing on it to avoid one of them pogo sticking across the room on a chair.

Then they try it as a group – therefore there will be 5 chairs and 5 people – they should be able to do it or a least get further than one person did.

Then there is a spiders web – have to go thru it individually without touching the sides – not possible, then do it as a team – more possible.

Blindfold one of them and get them to pin the kippa on the chincha. They will do it parcially – they may even manage it but then if people are allowed to give instructions they will be more accurate.

Now all sit down and ask them what they thought they gain from this – working together people are stronger.

They now have to get into groups and draw on a piece of sugar paper what they see as important today , in 3 yrs , in 10 years , in 50 years and for their children. On topics including Israel, life, Judaism,

Discuss looking into the future and maintaining links with Israel how can we go about this etc.

Conclusion :
The future is your hands…..

Resources:
String – lots
Sugar paper
Pens

Notes:
na•tion
n.
1.
a. A relatively large group of people organized under a single, usually independent government; a country.
b. The territory occupied by such a group of people: All across the nation, people are voting their representatives out.
2. The government of a sovereign state.
3. A people who share common customs, origins, history, and frequently language; a nationality: “Historically the Ukrainians are an ancient nation which has persisted and survived through terrible calamity” (Robert Conquest).
4.
a. A federation or tribe, especially one composed of Native Americans.
b. The territory occupied by such a federation or tribe.

We should be a ‘light unto the nations’ etc

Due to so few Jews in the world and stereotypes being throw about all over the place today it is important that the Jewish people as a whole act properly.

New year chance to look forward and not dwell on what we could or should have done but to look forward and see what we can achieve and the potential that each and everyone of has.

Jews, religious or not are ultimately related.