HaTikvah: United By Hope

Yoav and the teens dive into the story of HaTikvah, Israel’s national anthem, through a playful competition reenacting its journey to becoming a symbol of hope. As Herzl, Golda, and other icons from Israel's history come to life, the group uncovers the anthem’s power to unite a nation and the challenges of representing a diverse society. By the end, they realize that while the lyrics don’t speak for everyone, the song as a symbol of hope unites even the most diverse voices.

Big Ideas

1. The theme of hope, as embodied in HaTikvah, can inspire people to overcome challenges and work toward a better future.
2. Symbols like anthems can powerfully express a nation's values and history, but may not resonate equally with all citizens.
3. Countries often face challenges in creating symbols that represent all their citizens while maintaining their founding principles.

Essential Questions

1. How can a song represent the hopes and dreams of an entire nation?
2. How can we balance pride in our own identity with respect for others who may feel differently?
3. What should we do when important symbols, like national anthems, don't represent everyone equally?