7th Grade B’nei Mitzvah

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Antisemitism: Its History, Contemporary Manifestations, and What Kind of Person Do I Want To Be

Students will engage in discussions, readings, multimedia presentations, and interactive activities to deepen their understanding of the topics and develop critical thinking skills. The students will take a look at antisemitism (historical and contemporary) and the Holocaust.

They will also explore personal values –  how to navigate difficult situations with integrity, conflict resolution, being a role model for others and developing and embodying their most cherished values. These topics will be intertwined throughout the year.

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Antisemitism and Holocaust topics explored may include:

• An Introduction to Antisemitism: A definition of antisemitism, a historical overview from ancient times to the modern era, and the many forms of antisemitism, including religious, racial, political, and social.
• The Holocaust: Historical background leading up to the Holocaust and major events during the time period including an exploration of ghettos, concentration camps, and extermination camps. Additionally, personal stories from survivors such as testimonies and memoirs.
• Antisemitism Today: How does antisemitism manifest itself today? Including hate speech, vandalism, and violence. An exploration of online antisemitism, including social media, forums, and cyberbullying.
• Responding to Antisemitism, Advocacy, and Activism: Standing up against antisemitism, addressing antisemitism in our communities and schools, building alliances by working with other communities to combat hate, and employing coping strategies, including emotional and psychological responses to antisemitism.

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Personal values topics may include:

• Self-Reflection – Identifying Personal Values: What matters most to me? Students will explore their strengths and weaknesses. Understanding my own character and setting goals: How can I develop and embody the values I hold to be important? “What kind of person am I, or do I want to be?”
• Which Middot Are Important to Me: Explore various acts of kindness, including “Tikkun Olam” (repairing the world), and advocating for fairness and equality.
• Building a Middot-Based Community: The importance of creating a covenant by establishing shared values within our community. How to navigate difficult situations with integrity. Conflict resolution: Using Middot to resolve disputes peacefully and how can I be a role model for others?

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