What Does It Mean to Be Jewish? | The Center for Jewish-Inclusive Learning Portal

YV-T

Yad Vashem - The World Holocaust Remembrance Center

Topics

Jewish Identity
Jewish History

Summary

What is Jewish identity? This 4-minute-long video examines Jewish religion, peoplehood and ethnicity which combine to form one’s Jewish identity. Beginning with the origins of the Jewish people and their introduction of monotheism to the world, this video will then study four thousand years of history to explain Zionism, the connection to Israel, and some Jewish contributions to the world.

This video is from Yad Vashem, the Anti-Defamation League, and the USC Shoah Foundation, and is aligned to Echoes & Reflections, a comprehensive Holocaust education program that empowers middle and high school educators with dynamic classroom materials and professional development. Through their Holocaust education programs and resources, educators gain the skills, knowledge, and confidence to teach this topic effectively.

This video complements the Contemporary Antisemitism Unit. It addresses key historical context, supports teaching, and provides classroom content to equip teachers for effective instruction of the Holocaust and resonant themes of today. Professional development programs for middle and high school educators are also taking place online in webinars and asynchronous courses, as well as in person around the country.

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