Created by the TALI Education Fund, these educational resources about the culture and heritage of Israel are designed for Israeli students between the fifth and eighth grades. The colorful, engaging workbooks take students on a journey through the history, values, calendar and texts that are central to the Jewish people and Israeli society through short, creative activities, cartoons, discussion questions, traditional sources, modern literature and more. The links below will direct you to the website for each textbook, where you can view the complete teacher’s manual and lesson plans and find a link to purchase. TALI, a Hebrew acronym for “Enriched Jewish Studies,” provides a pluralistic Jewish Studies program focused on Jewish heritage and identity to more than 12% of all secular public schools in Israel. Please note: The resources are not available for free viewing or downloading on the website, except where noted below.
My Nation & My Land in the Time Tunnel (Grade 5)
This educational resource explores the connection between the people and land of Israel through midrash, aggadah, songs, Hasidic stories, and the holidays and symbols of the State of Israel, focusing on the aspects of each topic that are most relevant to today’s students. The learning is framed by an engaging story in which four relatable characters travel to different places in Israel and around the world throughout history with a magic time machine. To see the teachers’ guide or purchase the text book, click here.
To Be Pioneers (Grade 6)
This educational resource introduces students to the pioneers who settled the Land of Israel, including their guiding values, the challenges they faced prior to the establishment of the State of Israel, and how their values were ultimately expressed through the Declaration of Independence. Students will then examine the challenges facing Israeli society today and how they are being tackled by the “pioneers” of our times. The learning is guided by relatable characters, engaging illustrations, discussion questions, short assignments, and a wide range of online activities. To see a free sample unit and the complete teachers’ guide or to purchase the textbook, click here.
Responsible in the Field (Package of 3 Books, Grade 6)
This package includes three educational resources for sixth grade students: For Every Time: Holidays & Festivals, My Place in the Chain of Generations, and the above, To Be Pioneers.
The fourth book in the holiday series leads students deeper into their journey through the Jewish calendar, with sections that encourage students to delve deeply into the customs, liturgy, Hebrew and general literature, and major characters or events from Israeli and general culture that are associated with each day. The materials invite students to look at the holidays in a new way, engaging in a dialogue between tradition and innovation. To see the complete teachers’ guide or to purchase the textbook, click here.
Each week, this educational resource explores one theme from the weekly Torah portion from many different perspectives, highlighting Jewish rituals and commandments, texts, and Israeli culture. In order to make these subjects relevant to young adolescents, the materials also explore important values, such as commitment and responsibility, designed to encourage students to see themselves as active citizens in the State of Israel and important links in the chain of the generations of the Jewish people. To view three free sample units, view the teachers’ guide or purchase the textbook, click here.
Identity in Blue & White (Grade 7)
This educational resource explores Jewish-Israeli identity in today’s changing world, with chapters on identity, prayer and the siddur, the in-gathering of the exiles, holiday liturgy, and life cycle events. To view three free sample units, view the teachers’ guide or purchase the textbook, click here.
Building Here (Grade 8)
This educational resource is divided into three distinct parts: the first focusing on Ethics of the Fathers, the second on Theodor Herzl’s “Altneuland,” and the third on the different ideas about how we should build a model society are expressed through the holidays and festivals. To view three free sample units, view the teachers’ guide or purchase the textbook, click here.