Visions of Israel Education: The Place of Israel in United States Jewish Supplementary Schools

The existence of Israel is essential for the survival of the Jewish people. The two share a unique relationship that goes back a long time. Israel is the only Jewish homeland in the world and has always been a part of Jewish studies and was integrated into Jewish schools programs. In recent years there has been a shift in Israel education in order to strengthen future generations’ relationship with the Jewish State. The following research examines the place of Israel, not only within the United States Jewish supplementary schools but, also by illuminating a new focus relating to a broader spectrum of International and national education. At the center of this essay are a few lines of inquiry: why do we teach about Israel? What are the goals for teaching Israel? How should Israel be integrated into the school curriculum? And in what ways can Israel education strengthen students’ national and global identity? The methodology used in this paper is twofold: content and space analysis, as well as survey and interviews. In this section I first examine textbooks teaching about Israel including in-depth research with principals and teachers. I continue with a physical space analysis of where students gain in-depth Israel education showing the informal aspect of school environment and its affect on the students’ learning experience. In the last few decades, Israel education has shifted significantly and is facing some challenges. Among them are the need for curriculum prioritizing, working within limited time frame, and cultivating expert teachers. I make a few recommendations for educators on how to revisit teaching about Israel in the United States Jewish supplementary system with the goal of strengthening the students’ identity as Jews. In addition, these recommendations will contribute to strengthening young Jewish students’ identities as national and global citizens