http://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/Archaeology/Masada1.html
INTRODUCTION:
The Rosh Tochniot (Program Director) of Bnei Akiva has selected you to present a program about Masada or Yavneh to Jewish sixth graders who attend public school. Your job is not just to present information. It is to inspire them to be interested in Jewish tradition and history.
Therefore, first you have to learn about what happened in Israel (especially at Masada and Yavneh) at the end of the revolt against Rome. Then you will decide which is more inspiring to you. Only then can you develop a project that can inspire others.
TASK:
In this WebQuest you will need to learn about the events surrounding both Masada and Yavneh.
You will then need to consider which is the more inspirational model for students your own age. You will need to defend your choice in a letter to the Program Director.
Finally, you will then develop a presentation that tells the story and inspires students.
PROCESS:
Step one:
Learn as much as you can about the events of this time period. Read the following web sites. Be sure to take notes in your notebook! You can use the "events" form to keep track of what happened each place. You can use the "response-results" form to keep track of the responses and their results.
Jerusalem during the Second Temple
Rabbi Yochanan Ben Zakkai (biography)
Rabbi Yochan Ben Zakkai (in Avot d'Rebbe Natan- In Hebrew)
Josephus' report of Masada (This is VERY challenging!)
Step Two:
Read some educated opinions about what these events mean today.
Selections from Rabbi Shubert Spero's In Defense of the Defenders of Masada
Masada: Symbol of Jewish Freedom
Rabbi Yochanan Ben Zakkai: Just Following Orders
Rabbi Yochanan Ben Zakkai Saves Torah
Step Three:
Write the Program Director a well written letter in which you discuss which model (Masada or Yavneh) you view as most inspiring. In the letter you must include:
 | a brief description of the history of the era (including the events of both Masada and Yavneh). |
| whether you found Masada or Yavneh most inspiring AND WHY. |
| a plan for how you will present this to public
school 6th graders (examples: magazine, powerpoint, web site, play, video,
radio program, etc.). Remember that your presentation needs to provide
information and inspire others.
|
Step Four:
Once the Program Director has approved your plan, produce your presentation! Remember that your presentation needs to be extremely "polished" and "smooth," provide information and inspire others.
Click HERE to see how you will be evaluated!
Click HERE to see one example of "A" level work. Click here to see another!
Now
that you're an expert about Masada, The Jewish News has hired you to
write a book review for the book Masada: The Last Fortress.
They want you to write a review that not only tells about the book, but also
analyzes its historically accuracy. Of course, you also need (as with any
book review) to discuss if you found the book well written and interesting.
Your book review is to be 2-3 typed pages (about 500 words) and emailed to the
editor.
Click HERE to see how you will be evaluated!
