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FEATURE LESSON PLAN BY TAMMIE RAPPS

“Long-Lost QUOTES & QUESTIONS “100 Jewish People Shipwrecked; No Hope for Rescue.” ” “Michael and the other members Explain that this headline applies to the class. Distribute believe that they are descended from the tribe of the game introduction and task sheet to the class, Menashe, one of the ten tribes that dwelled in the PAGES 14–16 available to print at www.babaganewz.com/teachers. northern kingdom of during the First Temple In “Long-Lost Jews,” readers period. In 721 B.C.E., the Assyrians invaded the You are tourists from Jewish communities all over the United learn about the Bnei Menashe, northern kingdom and exiled the ten tribes.” States who have survived a shipwreck that washed you ashore a deserted island. While you are fortunate that no one a community of people in Do you know who the ten tribes were and why they was lost after the accident, you have only yourselves, the claiming to descend from the were exiled? clothing on your backs, and a Tanakh with you. You have no ancient Israelite tribe of If your students are not familiar with the story, review means of communication with or transportation to areas off Menashe, and the efforts that the exile of the Ten Tribes of Israel with them (II the island. The island has plentiful vegetation and a temper- the world Jewish community Kings 17–18). Briefly explain that after King , ate climate, so basic survival will not be too difficult. How- ever, you have learned that there is no chance of rescue for has made to help them return the Jewish nation split into two kingdoms: in the south, comprised of the tribes of Judah and at least several years. You must create some sort of Jewish to . In this lesson, stu- system to organize yourselves during your long stay on the Benjamin, and Israel in the north, consisting of the dents will examine their own island. remaining tribes. (See a map of the split online at Jewish values and notions of www.babaganewz.com/teachers.) When the kingdom Remember: what creates a Jewish commu- of Israel became corrupt and the people strayed from The 100 people on the island are regular Jewish citizens: you nity by playing a simulation ’s ways, the tribes of the kingdom were exiled to and members of your families. You cannot count on the help game in which they are “lost,” and beyond, losing contact with the of people with skills or professions who are not actually part cut off from the rest of the - remainder of the Jewish nation and becoming of your group. ish world, and compelled to isolated and forgotten. These tribes are often referred You must think about what kinds of needs people of different establish a Jewish community to as the of Israel. Although ages will have and what kinds of contributions people of dif- traditional texts offer many explanations for the fate of their own. ferent ages can make to life on the island. of the tribes, what actually happened to so many 2. Divide the class into five committees. Assign each OBJECTIVES descendants of the Ancient remains a mystery. Most Jews today are descendants of the committee one of the tasks below. Allow committees Students will identify what they Israelite tribes that remained in Judea. ten minutes to discuss the challenge of community believe are the most important building facing them. Committees must consider the factors that can lead to the “Michael Menashe fondly recalls communal following questions when making their decisions: survival of a Jewish community. gatherings with family and friends during H. anukkah What can we do to maintain the Jewishness of our Students will study Jewish texts and Sukkot. Mostly he remembers yearning to be part to learn about the Lost Tribes of of the worldwide Jewish community and to make community? How can we ensure that we survive as Israel. to Israel.” Jews when we are cut off from the rest of the Jewish world? Why do you think that Michael has these particular memories? What do they have in common? Education: Who will be educated on the island? How? What will be taught? By whom? What are your strongest Jewish memories? How VOCABULARY does your Jewish community fit into those Religion: How will you practice Judaism on the fb3v2 tribe memories? island? Which rituals will become the most important to your community? Who will provide “The modest Bnei Menashe look different Wdoh India religious leadership on the island? than those in other parts of the world, but the spirit bWvl6 to return inside is the same.... After services on , the Social Structure: What will be the role of family on communities there gather for Kiddush and ha’motzi, the island? Who will be responsible for raising but instead of challah, they eat chapatti, an Indian children, caring for the elderly, providing for flatbread.” others during exceptionally difficult times? What spirit do you think can be found inside the Justice: How will the island community be synagogues of the Bnei Menashe? How do you governed? What kinds of rules will you have to think that spirit is expressed in their synagogues? make, and how will you decide? Who will enforce How is it expressed in yours? the rules established by the community? What will happen to violators? In what ways has your community incorporated something from your country’s or state’s dominant Basic Needs: How will you help meet the basic food culture into your Jewish observance? and shelter needs of the community? What other basic needs can you or should you try to meet for ACTIVITY: SURVIVOR: THE JEWISH COMMUNITY 12 the community? 1. Begin class by posting the following “headline” on BABAGANEWZ the board: 3. When committees are done with their individual TEACHERS’ GUIDE ADAR ONE 5765 TG Mar-Adar1 05 1/21/05 11:41 AM Page 13

discussions, reconvene the class and review the committees’ decisions focusing on the guiding question about Jewishness. Explain to students that they are about to read an article about a community that had to ponder these same questions thousands of years ago. 4. Read “Long-Lost Jews” on pages 14–16 of BABAGANEWZ and discuss the Quotes & Questions. 5. According to their tradition, the Bnei Menashe are descendants of the ancient Israelite tribe of Menashe who reached India after being exiled along with the rest of the Ten Lost Tribes in 721 B.C.E. How did the Bnei Menashe retain aspects of their Jewish identity even in the far reaches of India? How did their religious practice differ because they had been isolated from the world Jewish community for so long? 6. To conclude the lesson, study the Jewish texts below. For each, discuss how these sources about the ten tribes relate to Bnei Menashe’s thriving Jewish

community in a remote corner of India.

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A ZECHARIAH 10:9–10 V And I will plant them among the people: and they shall remember Me in far countries; and they shall live with their children, and shall return. I will bring them again also out of the land of Egypt, and gather them out of

Assyria... N

Why do you think that God says that the tribes A

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L A How have the Bnei Menashe demonstrated their V memory of God in far countries?

SANHEDRIN 110B Eliezer says,...“Just as the day darkens and then becomes light, so too will the ten tribes, for whom it is dark, one day have light.”

What periods of darkness have the Bnei Menashe experienced? Has the light of day begun to dawn for them? Why or why not?

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