JH 10

Rav Shaanan Scherer


Columbus Torah Academy

2010/2011





10th Grade Jewish History



"זכור ימות עולם בינו שנות דר ודר"

“Remember history, understand the years of

generation to generation” – Deuteronomy 32:7



Text:

- Eyewitness to Jewish History, Rabbi Benjamin Blech

- Various handouts of both primary and secondary sources from books, magazines, journals, the internet and other resources of Jewish history to be distributed over the course of the year





Course Description:

This year, we will be learning ‘hands-on’ Jewish History, from the first Jew, Abraham through the modern day. We will learn both original sources in translation, and many secondary sources on various topics. We will explore our heritage chronologically covering the following periods: Biblical, 2nd Temple, Talmudic, Gaonic, early and late Middle Ages, Enlightenment and Emancipation, America and the Jewish situation in the world today. We will focus on a larger unit on Zionism and the State of Israel in the fourth quarter of the academic year.



We will study the geography, literature, personalities, trends and other factors of the Jewish people throughout time. We will do so through many different approaches to learning. Our work will be divided up into some individual assignments, group projects, research coursework all aimed at developing our reading, writing and oral skills. In addition to our academic goals, we hope to enhance our appreciation for our people, heritage, homeland and hope for our future.



Grading System:



Quizzes, Tests, and Projects – 75%

Classwork and Homework – 15%

Attitude and Participation – 10%


WEEK OVERVIEW:

Aug. 24 – 27.
pgs. 1- 78 - personal intro, rules, ingathering of exiles


- book introduction on the miracle of Jewish History

Biblical period, beginning of Second Temple period,

Pages 1 – 78 assigned to class (each student in responsible for one chapter (about 7- 8 pages) and will be presenting his chapter summary the following week.

 
 
 
 
HW from introduction in "Eyewitness", questions due on Aug. 26
 
- 1 - What was Pascal’s proof of the existence of miracles and why is this a good proof? (2 – 3 sentences)


- 2- Summarize in two or three sentences Mark Twain’s quote on the Jews (p.2)

- 3 – What do Tolstoy’s and Twain’s comments on the Jews have in common? (2 – 3 sentences)

- 4 – What does David Ben Gurion’s quote on p. 2 mean? (2 – 4 sentences)

- 5 – What do we learn from the mitzvah of Remeberance? (2 -4 sentences)

- 6 – How many Jews have been Nobel Prize laureates, and what percentage is that?

- 7 – How did Ezer Weizman understand the term ‘wandering Jew’? (2 – 4 sentences)

- 8 – What is the difference between B.C. and B.C.E.?

- 9 – What are the meanings to the words Hebrew, Israel and Jews? (3 sentences)

- 10 – In light of the introduction to ‘Eyewitness To Jewish History’, why does the author think it is special to be Jewish? (3 – 5 sentences)








ASSIGNMENT FOR MON.AUG. 30, 2010
Every student will be assigned a chapter from ‘Eyewitness to Jewish History’ to read.


The student will put together on 1- 2 pages:

1- The Title of the Chapter and sections (Eg. Chapter – In the Beginning, section – Abraham Discovers God – and a Land)

2- Notes in pt. form summarizing each section.

a. Primary source – 2- 5 points

b. Author’s commentary – 2- 5 points

3 – Each student will give a 5 minute oral or video presentation on their assigned pages. The presentation is open for your own creativity (although creativity will not be part of the grading criteria for this assignment, it is encouraged, but not mandatory). The presentation must include the main ideas expressed in the primary sources and author’s commentary.

4 – The assignment will be graded in the following way:

A - Written notes - /15

- Title, Chapter and sections listed

- Content of notes – quantity – Does it meet the amount requested? Does it exceed the amount requested by 2 or more points?

• Quality – are the points most relevant?

B - Oral presentation - /5 (creativity can be up to 5 extra points)

- Is the presentation clear?

- Does the presenter show an understanding of the content?



The assignments are due on Monday, August 30th. You must bring to class on Monday, two copies of your notes. One for the teacher to collect to evaluate and later distribute to the rest of the class. The other for your own use during your presentation. The presentations will begin on Monday and continue over the next few days. Everyone must be prepared to present on Monday.



B’Hatzlacha Rabah!



Rav Shaanan



This HW assignment is due on Thurs. Aug. 26th.