Like OnceInHS, I am more of a lookjed lurker, but this topic is both extremely interesting and important to me and I thought I would way in. I was quite impressed by OnceInHS's thoughts and think that I might echo many of the ideas regarding critical thinking and nuance.
Stewart, in the stories you shared and in your questions, I heard a general sense that students should be more prepared for challenges they may face in college while at the same time a recognition that many/some day school students already in high school, do not have a positive view of Israel. It would seem to me that the objective of preparing students for what they may face in college misses the boat. Anyone who has access to the internet can encounter potentially difficult news about Israel.
You asked the question, "How much time do schools invest in this critical issue that all of their graduates will face on college campuses?"
I wonder if you could flesh that question out for me more. What specifically is the critical issue that you speak about? Is it just "Israel" - that itself is the critical issue or are the questions more specific. I would like to add to your list of questions, What are the goals of your school's Israel curriculum?
I would imagine that some schools still teach aliyah as the end goal. Others want students to like or feel good about Israel.
Brainstorming some questions that i think Israel curriculum could deal with:
What is the Jewish contribution to the project of statehood?
What are the possible ways to interpret Jewish State?
What does it mean to be sovereign?
In what ways are Jews aloud to exert power as a nation?
What role does Israel play in an American Jewish life?
What role do American Jews get to play in Israel?
Does your school talk about occupation?
What do we do with/ How do we talk about Palestinians?
There are a couple of new resources that are being worked on right now. The Hartman Institute has recently written a new curriculum not necessarily for schools although it could be adopted with people like Gil Troy, Yossi Klein HaLevi, Tal Becker, Rachel Shabbat Beit-Halachmi called Engaging Israel (as is the cool thing to do these days)
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www.hartman.org.il]
Another interesting group is the Community of Practice Israel Educators group that encounterprograms is running with its alumni. Encounter brings Rabbis and educators to Bethlehem to hear from Palestinians and then facilitates inter-Jewish conversation about those very strong encounters. They are working on creating civil conversation among Jews about the conflict. I think Benj Kam
benj@​encounterprograms.​org is running that group.
I mention those two initiatives because both are trying to move beyond the advocacy model. Finally, for another view of the college Jewish world, take a look at Rabbi Lisa Goldstein's, Executive Director of San Diego Hillel, piece in Haaretz.
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www.haaretz.com]
