Important note regarding the copying of programmes

Aims / Objectives :
Aims:
• To show the Chanichim that this is not a clear issue and one of great relevance for Israel.
o Relevance for Israel = Law of Return and Status issues (marriage etc.)
• To get the Chanichim to consider this issue in relation to LJY ideology.
o Liberal Judaism: Judaism is not transmitted genetically but culturally and within families through example and influence. The process of transmission is one of education in the broadest sense, so that what is transmitted is not merely knowledge but beliefs and values, attitudes and ideals, and above all, a sense of identification and commitment.
• To teach the Chanichim the phrase “mehu yehudi” (lit. who is a jew?)

Trigger :
Trigger: ( 5mins)
• We play a modified game of Fruit Salad – where the Chanichim need to change places if they share a certain characteristic the madrichim shout out. Characteristics = black hair, curly hair, from Eastern Europe, live in London etc.

Main part of the programme :
Method:
• The Chanichim are all together and presented with a selection of celebrity faces with names underneath. They then have to shout out whether they are Jewish or not. (10 mins)
o The Madrichim then reveal the “correct answers”, but then suggest that there is no such thing as a “correct answer”.
• Madrichim conduct a short skit with two madrichim pretending to get married and being told that only same-religion marriages are allowed in Israel and that according to the rabbis, to be a Jew is to have a Jewish mother. Then an ‘official’ tells everyone about the Law of Return in Israel and its benefits such as citizenry, tax breaks etc. (5 mins)
o Tell the Chanichim we need their help in deciding who is a Jew? Mehu Yehudi?
• Split the Chanichim into four groups and ask them to discuss whether they would allow the people in the cases on the attached sheets to (1) marry a Jew in Israel, (2) be eligible for Law of Return. They are told that by the end they should have come up with rules for what they think makes someone Jewish. (20 mins)
o Ask them to come up with this rule
 Suggestions are Culture/History/Religion/Blood/Rabbinical acceptance/Jenny and Jordan decide.
o Can they think of a test to tell if someone is Jewish?
 E.g. do they need to have Jewish friends?
 Do they need to have been to syngagogue/know anything about the religion?

Conclusion :
Sikkum: (15 mins)
• Bring the Chanichim together and read them the quotation from Deuteronomy (above) which forms the basis for claiming Judaism is transmitted through the mother. Then tell them Liberal Judaism’s understanding of what makes someone Jewish.
• End on a discussion of why it matters who is Jewish or not? Why are we so interested by famous Jews? If we are a chosen people, why is it not clear who the people are?

Resources:
• Paper
• Pens

Notes:
None