לומדים אנגלית / קוראים ספרי ילדים

The general subject of the unit that we are starting today is Aliyah – A unique kind of Immigration.

Today, we will talk about one of the aspects of Aliyah.

Look at the following cartoon:

Aliya1

Let's talk about it.

Describe the characters you see in the cartoon.

• Where, do you think, they come from?
• Where does the scene take place?
• How do they feel? (Look at the expression on their faces.)

Helpful Vocabulary

immigration   –   הגירה

immigrant   –   מהגר

newcomer   –   עולה חדש

long for   –   להתגעגע / לשאוף ל

excited   –   נרגש

disappointed   –   מאוכזב

frustrated   –   מתוסכל

worried   –   מודאג

frightened   –   חושש  / מפחד

embarrassed   –   נבוך

Talking about it

Are there any newcomers in your class? in your neighborhood?

If there are, ask them to talk about: 

their aliyah to Israel

their first impressions.

their adjustment problems.

Israel is expecting large waves of Aliyah.

Where from? Why now?

What can the government do to ease the newcomers' adjustment process?

What can you do?

What should we do to make newcomers feel welcome?

Can we learn from mistakes made in the past? Explain.

Helpful Vocabulary

Jewish Agency   –   הסוכנות היהודית

representative   –   נציג

take off   –   להמריא

land   –   לנחות

Getting Ready to Read

The passage you are about to read is about Aliyah.

The first paragraph begins as follows:

   Aliyah is the Hebrew word for immigration of …

The last paragraph begins as follows:

   Israel may not be the paradise …

Leading Questions

• What is the difference in meaning between aliyah and immigration?
• What is the word in Hebrew for immigration?
• Complete the first sentence of paragraph 1. What do you think the paragraph is about?
• Complete the first sentence of the last paragraph. Does the paragraph present an idealistic or realistic view of Israel?

Before you read the whole passage, make sure you know the meaning of the following words. (Look them up in the dictionary.)

particular

unique

pioneers

century

identity

Reading Passage

Read the following passage and then answer the questions that follow.

1. Aliyah is the Hebrew word for the immigration of Jews from all over the world to Israel. The very fact that there is a special word for this particular kind of immigration shows its unique significance. Israel has always been considered the Jewish homeland and Jews have never stopped coming to Israel or, when that was impossible, dreaming of returning to Israel.

2. Although idealistic pioneers have been coming to Israel since the end of the nineteenth century, the large waves of aliyah started only in 1948, when the gates of Israel opened to all Jews. The Law of Return was passed to assure the right of every Jew to come and settle down in Israel

3. Aliyah meets the mutual need of Israel and the Jews. Israel need people to settle down here, develop the economy and defend the borders. Jews need a home, a refuge, after centuries of struggling as a persecuted minority.

4. Israel may not be the paradise that newcomers sometimes expect. Traditionally known as "the promised land", "the land of milk and honey", it may disappoint newcomers at first. Its political situation is unstable; the threat of another war is always in the air. The economic situation is problematic: We are still a long way from economic independence. There are social problems resulting from the deep-rooted differences between Jews from different countries, cultures and traditions, all looking for a new national identity. And yet, it is the most wonderful place in the world because … it's home.

Questions

1. Aliyah is a special word for a special kind of immigration (paragraph 1). What does this imply?
…………………………………………

2. When did Jews dream of returning to Israel? (paragraph 2)
………………………………………………………………………

3. Who or what does the word that in line 5 refer to?
……………………………………………………………………….

4. When did the massive immigration to Israel (paragraph 2) begin?

a. in 1948.

b. at the end of the 19^th century.

c. before 1948.

d. when the large waves of immigration started.

5. By mutual need ( paragraph 3) the author refers to:

a. the Jews

b. the State of Israel

c. both a and b

d. a home and a refuge

6. Why does Israel need newcomers? (paragraph 3)

a. ……………………………………………………………………..

b. …………………………………………………………………….

c. ……………………………………………………………………..

7. Complete the following sentence (paragraph 3):

Jews have ………………………for centuries and that's why they ……………………………

8. Israel may not be the paradise that newcomers expect (paragraph 4).

Explain the meaning of this sentence in your own words.
…………………………………………………………………………………..

9. Which problems are not mentioned in paragraph 4?

a. economic problems

b. political problems

c. social problems

d. scientific problems

10. Which paragraph in the text

     describes the history of Aliyah?          paragraph ……       

     states the problems Israel faces?        paragraph ……              

     defines the term Aliyah?                         paragraph ……                        

     explains the needs of the state?           paragraph ……       

And that's all for today. More texts and suggestions in my next post.