What Does War Mean To You NFTY-NW Fall Kallah 2008 Written by NFTY-NW SAVP, Megan Elsayed; NFTY-NW PVP, Kyleigh Banks
Touchstone Text: “As heir of the great religious tradition which conceives of its ultimate goal as the establishment of the Kingdom of God on earth, we rededicate ourselves to the goal of universal peace.” – Statement of Principles on Achieving a Just Peace, 1955
Goals: PP’s will question their beliefs on war. PP’s will learn what Reform Judaism has resolved regarding war
Objectives: PP’s will further their ideas and opinions on war through dialogue PP’s will be able to connect war and policy issues to Judaism PP’s will connect Jewish tradition to questioning current issues
Materials: Poster ‘What does war mean to you?’ 100 Crayons 100 copies of survey (Appendix a)
People: 90ish ppts, 6 groups Megan – Program Leader Sophi – Program Leader (music and fun) Kyleigh- GL1 Rena- GL2 Kyle- GL3 Noah- GL4 Jonathan- GL5 Jess- GL6
Space Needed: Big long room and outside (weather permitting)
Order of Activities/Discussions: Rotation 1: “What War Means To NFTY-NW” 6 part poster Rotation 2: Negative Effects Rotation 3: Effects Rotation 4: Judaism and War Rotation 5: Just War Closing: Why must we question war? Rotation Schedule: Rotation 1: 6 Part Poster Group 1: Kyleigh Group 2: Rena Group 3: Kyle Group 4: Noah Group 5: Jonathan Group 6: Jess
Rotation 2: Negative Effects Group 1: Jess Group 2: Kyleigh Group 3: Rena Group 4: Kyle Group 5: Noah Group 6: Jonathan
Rotation 3: Positive Effects Group 1: Jonathan Group 2: Jess Group 3: Kyleigh Group 4: Rena Group 5: Kyle Group 6: Noah
Rotation 4: War and Reform Judaism Group 1: Noah Group 2: Jonathan Group 3: Jess Group 4: Kyleigh Group 5: Rena Group 6: Kyle
Rotation 5: Just War Group 1: Kyle Group 2: Noah Group 3: Jonathan Group 4: Jess Group 5: Kyleigh Group 6: Rena
Timeline: Pre-Program- Hand out survey, collect and turn data into a PowerPoint. 00:00-00:02 Intro 00:02-00:04 Break into groups 00:04-00:08 6 Part Poster 00:08-00:09 GL Transition 00:09-00:19 Negative Effects 00:19-00:20 GL Transition 00:20:00:30 Positive Effects 00:30-00:31 GL Transition 00:31-00:41 Judaism and War 00:41-00:42 GL Transition 00:42-00:55 Just War 00:55-00:60 Wrap Up
Detailed Procedure: Pre-Program- Hand out survey, collect and turn data into a PowerPoint Survey is Appendix A. Print out enough for each PP to fill out. Print to a half sheet of paper. Pass out survey during Friday night snack. Collect the survey from people as they leave the room. Have a PowerPoint ready to have statistics added. Have statistics ready to distribute to GLs before program.
00:00-00:02 Intro Megan introduces program to everyone: “The action theme for this year is Milchamah Ma Hee Osah – War What Is It Good For. This brings us the opportunity to have open and thoughtful dialogue I ask that in our discussion you treat yourself and your fellow NFTYites with the respect they deserve. You all have words on your nametags (What, War, Means, To, NFTY, NW) if you would please find the corresponding signs.
00:02-00:04 Break into groups PPs break into groups GLs go to their 1st group
00:04-00:08 6 Part Poster Rotation #1 for GLs. Each has 1/6 of the “What does war mean to you” poster and they will ask PPs to write the first thing that comes to their mind just to get some ideas flowing. While the group is writing GL will explain that they will get the opportunity to see everyone’s responses later in the day
00:08-00:09 GL Transition GLs transition to their 2nd group
00:09-00:19 Negative Effects Rotation #2 for GLs. GLs lead a discussion about the negative effects of war using questions from Appendix B
00:19-00:20 GL Transition GLs transition to their 3rd group
00:20:00:30 Positive Effects Rotation #3 for GLs. GLs lead a discussion about the negative effects of war using questions from Appendix C
00:30-00:31 GL Transition GLs transition to their 4th group
00:31-00:41 Judaism and War Rotation #4 for GLs. GLs lead a discussion about the negative effects of war using questions from Appendix D
00:41-00:42 GL Transition GLs transition to their 5th group
00:42-00:55 Just War Rotation #5 for GLs. GLs lead a discussion about the negative effects of war using questions from Appendix E
00:55-00:60 Wrap Up Megan will show whole group Power point of their answers and invite them to look at the posters through out the remainder of the day and gives them a little talk. “Thank you all so much for participating the program and really doing and talking about what you believe.
APPENDICIES: Appendix A- Survey Appendix B- Rotation 2 – Negative Effects Appendix C- Rotation 3 – Positive Effects Appendix D- Rotation 4 – Reform Judaism and War Appendix E- Rotation 5 – Just War Appendix A Survey
1. There is such a thing as a “Just War”
Agree Disagree
2. My Judaism influences how I feel about war.
Yes No
3. What are some positive affects of war?
4. What are some negative affects of war?
5. Why is it important to question one’s beliefs on war?
Appendix B Negative Effects of War- Rotation 2
What are some negative effects of war? o Repression . Afghanistan . Sudan . Rwanda o Economic . Current US debt Who/what are the victims during war? o Soldiers . Post traumatic stress disorder . The draft . Child soldiers o Oppressed groups . Ethnic . Racial . Religious . Impoverished o Programs . Health care . Schooling . Science/technology advancement Who benefits from war? o Corporations . Oil . Arms industry . Precious substances (diamonds, gold, silver) What atmosphere does war create? o Paranoia o Fear o Propaganda Appendix C Positive Effects of War- Rotation 3
What are some positive effects of war? o Stimulates Economy . WW2 o Freedom . American Revolutionary War . Iraq War o Protection . Afghanistan . Israel What beliefs do people often fight for? o Religious freedom o Social freedom o Political freedom What is something you would fight for? o Concept o Religious value What about something would makes it worth fighting for? What would have the happened to the Jewish people if America had not become involved in WWII? Appendix D Reform Judaism and War- Rotation 4
How does Judaism influence your everyday life? o Decision making o Learning How does war influence your everyday life? o Current War . Media . Economy . Government . Personal relation to soldiers, region, etc… How does Judaism influence your opinions and idea on war? o Jewish values o State of Israel o URJ speaking for Reform Jews o Jewish history w/ genocide How greatly does belonging to such a distinct ethnic/religious group shape your beliefs on war? Appendix E Just War- Rotation 5
What makes a “just” war In deciding whether or not to stand for or against a war the URJ looks at: o The competency of who is waging the war o For what reasons the war is being waged . Defensive . Offensive . In protection of innocent people . Preemptive – to keep from happening o Who/What the war is protecting . The Jewish people . Israel What wars do you think the URJ has stood for or against these wars and why? o For . WWII . 2003-2005 Iraq War o Against . Vietnam . 2005-Present Iraq War What is different about these wars? What is the same? What wars do you think have been just, why?