JH 8 Aug. 24 - 27 and course description

Rav Shaanan Scherer


Columbus Torah Academy

2010/2011

8th Grade Jewish History



"זכור ימות עולם בינו שנות דר ודר"

“Remember history, understand the years of

generation to generation” – Deuteronomy 32:7



Text:

- Understanding Jewish History 2: from the Renaissance to the 21st Century

- 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 exploring Jewish History from 1492 to the present. This is a continuation to the 7th grade course which begins in the Biblical period and ends with The Jews of Spain in the 15th century. We will learn about various topics which include: The Renaissance, the Ghetto, the Jews of Safed, false Messianism, the Jews of Poland, Shtetl life, the rise of Chassidut, the Enlightenment, the various streams of Judaism, America and the Jews, the rise of Zionism, anti- Semitism (medieval and modern), the State of Israel, the Arab- Israeli conflict.

Over the duration of the course, we will get a broad look at these topics so that the students will get a general understanding of the chronology and cause and effect occurrences in our history. In addition to our wide curriculum, we will also have opportunities to study certain topics of interest in depth.



Grading System:

Quizzes, Tests and Projects – 70%

Classwork and Homework – 15%

Attitude and Participation – 15%



Aug. 24 – 27
pages - 161, 164,165 (and need to catch –up to Spanish Expulsion!)


Topics:
Columbus – Jewish?

The Renaissance – printing press, Talmud ..etc.

The Reformation

The shtadlanim (brief overview, no text)

The Ghetto; origin of name, yellow badge, cause,


 




Questions for Christopher Columbus article:

1 – Is Christopher Columbus Jewish? Please provide at least 4 reasons why you think he is or is not.

2 – “G-d was opening up the doors of what is going to eventually become the greatest Diaspora refuge for Jews in history” – which country is this referring to?

3 – Which rabbi invented two navigating tools and what were they?

4 – Which Empire accepted many of Spain’s Jews?

5 – Please quote from the Sultan, Bayezid II about the ruler of Spain.

6 – G-d promised Abraham and his offspring; “I will bless those who bless you, and curse those who curse you, and through you, will be blessed all the families of the earth” (Genesis 12:3). How does this biblical promise relate to Jewish history in the 15th and 16th centuries?

 
to access the aish.com article on the Inquisition and Columbus, go to:
http://www.aish.com/jl/h/cc/48951681.html
 
b'hatzlacha rabah!
 
Rav Shaanan