Can Israel Be Both Jewish and Democratic?

Goals:

• Affective –  Students proudly identify as Zionists despite accusations made against Israel, while at the same time acknowledging the complexity inherent in the conflict.
• Behavioral – Students are able to empathize with groups affected by the tension between Israel’s goal to be both a Jewish and a democratic state.
• Cognitive – Students understand the tension between Israel’s goal to be both a Jewish and a democratic state.

Essential Questions

1. How can Israel balance being both a Jewish and a democratic state?
2. How can the State of Israel balance the needs of both its secular and religious citizens?
3. Does the State of Israel appropriately represent its non-Jewish citizens?

Big Ideas

1. Israel views itself as both a Jewish and democratic state.
2. Many secular and ultra-Orthodox Jewish Israelis disagree on many matters of religion and state, from serving in the military to public transportation on Shabbat.
3. Non-Jewish citizens of Israel have full rights but sometimes feel the state does not appropriately represent them.