Grade Seven
QUARANTINE AND THE WESTERN WALL
How are Quarantine and the Western Wall related?
Think
We have all been sitting in our homes for quite some time, so this is a perfect time to think about what makes our towns and where so distinct? When you think of your town, what do you think is most recognizable about it?
In America, I’d say the Statue of Liberty. In Weston, Peter’s Market or the Field Club, or the school campus. In Westport, perhaps Compo Beach or the Minute Man Statue.
I grew up in a place called Edison which was named for Thomas Edison who lived there. There was a huge light tower that people used to visit right in our town
When it comes to Jerusalem, the holiest city in Israel, what do you think is the most recognizable place?
Most people would agree on the Western wall.
Watch
Western Wall Facts & Figures >>
Read
The Western Wall is a holy place of prayer and pilgrimage sacred to the Jewish people. The wall was part of the Second Temple of Jerusalem, the center of worship in ancient Israel. The Second Temple was destroyed by the Romans in ad 70. The Western Wall is all that remains.
The Western Wall is about 160 feet (50 meters) long and 60 feet (20 meters) high. It is also known as the Wailing Wall because of the sorrowful prayers of the Jews who pray there. They mourn the destruction of the temple and pray for its restoration. Visitors write prayers and petitions on slips of papers and wedge them into the cracks between the stones.
The Western Wall forms part of the larger wall that surrounds the Muslim Dome of the Rock and the Al-Aqsa Mosque. Jews and Muslims argue over control of the wall. Israel took full control of it after the Six-Day War in June 1967.
What You Can Do:
During this time of quiet quarantine, many of us may feel uncertain or nervous, and we certainly have time on our hands. Think about your concerns. Write down a prayer or concern that you would like to put in the western wall if you could visit at this time.
ANNE FRANK
Option 1
Read the following article
Summarize what you read and give your impressions of what the people of Denmark did for the Jews. Send your answers to Harriet.
Option 2
Learn about Anne Frank’s Life here.
Discuss with a parent or friend: Why do you think it was so important for Anne Frank to keep a diary? Why is it important for us to read books like Anne Frank’s diary today?
Option 3
Go to the following article on Times of Israel, Kveller and Aish and read about Jewish athlete celebrities.
7 Female Celebrities You Probably Didn’t Know Are Jewish
Celebrities You May Not Know Are Jewish
Summarize what these celebrities can do to help the cause of the Jewish people? What should they do? What would you do if you were famous?
Option 4 (mandatory for pre-B’nai Mitzvah students)
If you have not become Bar or Bat Mitzvah, record yourself practicing a prayer (go to our webpage and B’nai Mitzvah prep resources) and send it to Rabbi NB.