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Teacher resource for the exhibition To Build & Be Built: Kibbutz History, on view Oct 3–Jul 8, 2014 at The Contemporary Jewish Museum, San Francisco.

Inspired by two exhibitions related to kibbutz history and artistic explorations of utopia, this guide provides background information, suggested activities, and links to resources, as well as two teacher-written lessons related to teaching about the kibbutz.

special thanks

Special thanks to the following educators who shared their knowledge and ideas for this resource:

  • Debby Arzt‐Mor
  • Vavi Toran
  • Donny Inbar
  • Heather Erez
  • Irene Resnikoff
  • Lisa Bialkin
  • Rachel Biale
  • Ilona Shechter
  • Mallory Rome
  • Rabbi Joshua Ladon
  • Deb Sagan Massey
  • Haley DeLugach
  • Ophira Druch
ABOUT THIS RESOURCE

Contents

  • Introduction
  • Kibbutz History and Background Information
  • Teaching the Kibbutz: Ideas for the Classroom
    • Artmaking: What is Your Utopia?
    • Performance and Writing: Collaboration, Cooperation, Utopia 
    • Discussion: Advantages and Disadvantages of Kibbutz Life
    • Teacher‐Written Lesson (Middle School), Written by Ilona Shechter, Gideon Hausner Day School
    • Teacher‐Written Lesson (Fourth Grade), Written by Lisa Bialkin, Congregation Rodef Sholom
  • Additional Kibbutz Resources
Download PDF
supporters

Work in Progress: Considering Utopia and To Build & Be Built: Kibbutz History are organized by The Contemporary Jewish Museum, San Francisco. Major sponsorship for the exhibitions is provided by Gaia Fund. Supporting sponsorship has been provided by The Lucius N. Littauer Foundation. Additional support provided by Eta and Sass Somekh.

Major support for The Contemporary Jewish Museum’s exhibitions and Jewish Peoplehood Programs comes from the Koret Foundation.

School and Teacher Programs at The Contemporary Jewish Museum are made possible by Pacific Gas and Electric Company. Leadership support comes from The Horace W. Goldsmith Foundation with additional generous support from Ullendorf Memorial Foundation. 

MORE ABOUT JEWISH HISTORY

Image Credit

Header image: Kibbutz Yagur, Israel, 1950-1959. Kibbutz Yagur Archives.