"Next year in Jerusalem!"This is how every Passover seder (seh-dehr) ends. Every year, Jews hold this special meal where they retell the story of the Israelites escaping slavery in Egypt, crossing the desert and building their own nation. The exclamation symbolizes the yearning of the Jews to return to their ancient homeland, lost to them nearly two thousand years ago. From the earliest days of aliyah (which describes the process of Jews returning to Israel) through today, the new arrivals have had many different reasons for coming to Israel. The first pioneers were motivated to build a modern Jewish state on their historic land. In many cases, they were fleeing anti-semitism or were expelled from their birth country because of it. In other cases, major national upheavals created a general chaos and instability they wanted to leave. Other immigrants have no need for rescue, but leave their birth countries to fulfill their dream of living a Jewish life in the Jewish homeland. Even for those Jews leaving their birth countries in distress, they have a choice as well. Many of the Russian Jews fleeing Russia in the late 19th century decided to immigrate to the United States instead of Israel. Of the nearly one million Jews who fled their homes in Arab countries, around two-thirds of them chose to come to Israel, while others went to France, Canada or the United States. so every Jew making aliyah has chosen to live in Israel. Each one has their own unique set of circumstances and wishes that brought them to the little country. Here are just a few of their stories.
These books correlate well to common core standards that ask students to read stories and literature, as well as more complex texts that provide facts and background knowledge in areas such as science and social studies. Students will be challenged and asked questions that push them to refer back to what they've read. This stresses critical-thinking, problem-solving, and analytical skills that are required for success in college, career, and life.