HaTikvah: Does Israel's National Anthem Mean Hope for All?

Unpacked’s 10-minute video on Israel’s national anthem, HaTikvah, takes students on a journey from the song’s origin as a once-controversial poem to its role as a source of cultural and spiritual resistance during the Holocaust, and onward to its censorship at international events and place in the modern world.

Suitable for students in grades 6-12, the video explores how HaTikvah – a message of hope centered on the Jewish people’s return to their homeland – emerged, and after considerable debate, was ultimately adopted by the World Zionist Congress. Students examine the meaning of the song’s lyrics, the origins of its melody, and the ways it has been used across time and place by Jews seeking connection and return. They also reflect on its powerful use by Jewish victims of the Holocaust, including those forced to march to their deaths.

The video addressed contemporary controversies, including instances in which Israeli athletes and delegations have been barred from playing HaTikvah at international events, despite the song’s lack of militarism or triumphalism. Finally, students consider the anthem’s role within modern Israel, a diverse society that includes many non-Jewish citizens.