The Many Faces of Israel Assignments:

1. Trace the development of the Arab-Israeli conflict from the arrival of the first groups of Zionist idealists in the 19th century to the current violence. Which major issues have remained constant? Which major issues have changed? Bring specific examples to illustrate your points and support your arguments.

2. Compare and contrast the experience of three of the many social/cultural/ethnic/religious groups which make up the population of contemporary Israeli society today. Explore their experience from the time of Israel’s establishment as a state until today. Consider such factors as the degree of identification with the raison d’etre of the country; when the first members of this group came to Israel (before, during or after the founding of the State); whether or not they immigrated to Israel; whether they see themselves as a member of the majority culture or minority culture within Israeli society; how significant their representation is in Israel’s political leadership, etc. At least one of the groups you choose should be not Jewish.

3. Explore the relationship between modern Zionism and traditional Jewish sources. In what ways did the Zionist movement draw on or renew traditional Jewish claims, perspectives, attitudes and feelings about the relationship between the People of Israel and the Land of Israel? In what ways did Zionism challenge, reject, overturn, or re-conceive traditional Jewish claims, perspectives, attitudes and feelings about the relationship between the People of Israel and the Land of Israel?

4. Compare and contrast your own Jewish identity with that of at least one of member of each of the three previous generations; your parents, grandparents, and great-grandparents. In addition, compare it to that at of at least one Israeli you met on your trip to Israel. Consider how the following elements have impacted on the nature and quality of the Jewish identity of each of the individuals you have chosen to include; familiarity and knowledge of Jewish tradition, Jewish textual sources and/or ritual; their connectedness to Israel; direct experiences of persecution or discrimination; relationship to the Holocaust; familiarity with more than one language; identity as an immigrant, or alternatively, as a member of the second, third, fourth or later generation living in the same country; living in a predominantly Jewish neighborhood or in a predominantly mixed or non-Jewish neighborhood; any additional factors you can identify. While this exercise in part invites your personal expression, it is also meant to be an academic study, so you must attempt to gain some critical distance both on your self and the relatives you are including in your work.

5. Explore the current Israeli-Palestinian crisis from the perspectives of at least three of the following positions; Israeli leftists; Israeli right-wingers; Palestinian moderates; Palestinian Islamic extremists; the Bush Administration or the Clinton Administration; the European Union. Outline the positions of each of the groups you have chosen about the following issues; the origins of the conflict, who is at fault, what must be done to resolve the situation; when change should be made. Explain why you think these groups hold such different views. In addition, attempt to articulate your own position regarding these issues. Use specific examples from your reading and experience to illustrate your points.