The Jewish People in Winona

SUGGESTED ACTIVITIES FOR TEACHING ABOUT THE JEWISH AND THE JEWISH RELIGION

Compare the reasons Jews came to this country in the l800's to the reasons newer immigrants have come to Winona. What are the similarities? What are the most commonly repeated reasons?
Use a dictionary, encyclopedia, and electronic resource to find meanings for terms used in this unit. Compare your findings with other sources. Evaluate the sources.
Find recipes for specific Jewish foods. Then talk to an adult, possibly a relative, to find a comparable favorite food in their culture. For example, latkes are Jewish potato pancakes. What kinds of "pancake" food item is typical of the Scandinavians, Native Americans, or specific nationality of your family.
Explore the ways the Jewish tradition of caring for the needy and doing good work for the community has been realized in this community. For example, research the Adith Miller Manor, at Community Memorial Hospital, built specifically for people with Alzheimer's disease.
Read The Diary of Anne Frank, Number the Stars, or other books based on the life of a young Jewish person during World War II in Europe. Explore the Media Center and public library to create a list of books suitable for your age group, that other students might enjoy reading, about the Jews during Would War II.
Find examples of Menorahs. Why do some have seven candles, others nine? Study the different designs, from old and modern artists. Then design a candelabra which reflects the history of your family and cultural background with symbols representing important events. You might draw this or build one out of clay or plasticine.
Research the ways the town of Billings, Montana, stood beside the Jewish members of that community when they were victims of persecution during December of l994. Prejudice and hate crimes awakened the city to become a community.