Take the time to read in the Hebrew Bible some of the stories mentioned in the chapter. Many people are surprised to discover that the greatest Israelite heroes are portrayed in a very human way. They are not idealized saints, but flesh and blood people with distinct personalities. They possess both strengths and weaknesses that affect their lives and those around them in dramatic ways. Identify some of these traits and trace the lives of these people. With whom do you identify and with whom do you feel antagonism? This will say much about who you are.
Consider Judaism's many festivals and holidays, each with a particular emphasis and practice. Observing these times with others creates a deep sense of belonging and a connection with an ancient tradition. These practices help shape identity and bring people to the realization that they are part of something much larger than themselves. Certainly, one cannot know what it is like to be part of a practicing Jewish community from the outside. But perhaps those of us on the outside might review celebrations and practices that serve a similar function in our lives. How could you enhance or develop them further? You might want to get one of the popular books on rituals for suggestions.
Rent a DVD of the movie Schindler's List and perhaps watch it with a few friends or classmates. The movie chronicles the Nazi campaign against the Jews and evokes emotions ranging from horror and despair to hope and triumph. Reflect on the terror human beings can do to one another and on the depth of suffering and persecution experienced by the Jews. Also ponder the strength of the human spirit and the power of those who commit to life and goodness.
Two other inspirational movies with holocaust themes include Life Is Beautiful and The Pianist. Life Is Beautiful was directed, co-written, and stars Roberto Benigni. In 1930s Italy, a carefree Jewish book keeper named Guido starts a fairy tale life by courting and marrying a lovely woman from a nearby city. Guido and his wife have a son and live happily together until the occupation of Italy by German forces. In an attempt to hold his family together and help his son survive the horrors of a Jewish Concentration Camp, Guido imagines that the Holocaust is a game and that the grand prize for winning is a tank. The Pianist stars Adrienne Brody and is adapted from the autobiography of Wladyslaw Szpilman, a Polish Jew who developed unique survival skills during World War II. Director Roman Polanski states that "The Pianist is a testimony to the power of music, the will to live, and the courage to stand against evil." If there is a synagogue in your area, you might contact them about organizing a Jewish film festival with members of the congregation and perhaps your class leading discussion groups. The movie Yentl, starring Barbara Streisand as a girl who wished to be a rabbi, can also be explored for Jewish cultural and religious themes and the classic Fiddler on the Roof is another likely candidate.
