A friendly and slightly comical guide for parents on how to raise proud Zionist children by teaching them confidence, resilience, and the ability to counter misinformation with knowledge and humor.
I would also argue that the pro-Israel community needs to produce many more, mainstream, high quality, children's (and youth) books focusing on this topic. I mean DK-style (https://www.dk.com/) factual books laying things out clearly and graphically.
Some of the discussions you recommend above need to be supported with better underlying materials.
"Among the significant number of children’s books published in the UK (particularly those focused on history, the ancient world, mythology, inspiring real-world characters, etc). it is noticeable how almost all Jewish characters or stories have been excised or obscured (other than the ever-present, token, reference to Anne Frank).
The Jewish people were sovereign in the Land of Israel for over 1,300 years (from 1258 BCE to 70 CE), each of the Temples stood for centuries, and our history (both in the Holy Land and elsewhere) is fascinating and complex. But I challenge anyone to find current mainstream children’s books focusing on any of these topics. There are countless books about the ancient Egyptians, Greeks, Romans, and other peoples, but none I am aware of about Ancient Israel.
There are scores of books about ancient travellers and explorers, but barely a mention of Benjamin of Tudela and numerous other Jewish travellers. There is a strong focus on women pioneers, but no current mainstream books about Doña Gracia Mendes Nasi or Glückel von Hameln (or even Golda Meir, for that matter).
The reason is pretty obvious: if you accept and celebrate the historical truth that Jews have lived in the Land of Israel for millennia (and done much else besides), this undermines the prevailing antisemitic slander that the founding of the State of Israel was a settler colonial enterprise."
The Jewish people were not sovereign in the Land of Israel for 1300 years. Your timeline goes from 1258 bce to 70 ce.
Let's start at 70 ce. It was Pompey who conquered Judea a century before that date in 63 bce.
The Jewish revolt in 66 ce was against Roman occupation. The Jews were not sovereign.
Before that the Maccabees revolted against the Seleucid Empire who had been in control of Judea. The Seleucids took control of Judea from Ptolemaic Egypt.
These Hellenistic empires owe their origin to Alexander the Greats conquests beginning in 338 bce.
Nebuchadnezzar II destroyed Jerusalem in his 18th year (587 BCE)
The Assyrians conquered the Kingdom of Israel between 732 and 720 BCE.
Theres lots of history in that timeline period that you omitted.
In reality the Jewish people have had little experience with true sovereignty over the many centuries of their existence, which only makes the existence of modern Israel the more remarkable.
In our own time today we can see the enormous cost in blood and treasure it takes to maintain Israeli sovereignty.
A nice soft touch for an often thorny subject, when it shouldn't be. Just what was needed. In essence, what other nation has been almost wholly formed of refugees? That alone should be something for the left wing to get behind and praise strongly - which they used to do. Their change of stance has been one of the most disgusting and dishonest about-turns of this generation.
Good point! And so many wonderful and amazing Jewish role models for children, from both secular society and biblical history to aspire to, including intellectuals, warriors, athletes, statesmen, actors, comedians, entrepreneurs; Einstein, Maccabees, Freud, Mier, etc., etc..
I think I need to use this strategy for my older friends.
Very Interesting points, thanks.
I would also argue that the pro-Israel community needs to produce many more, mainstream, high quality, children's (and youth) books focusing on this topic. I mean DK-style (https://www.dk.com/) factual books laying things out clearly and graphically.
Some of the discussions you recommend above need to be supported with better underlying materials.
See a similar point being made in a letter to the JC from a few years ago (https://www.thejc.com/opinion/letters/letters-to-the-editor-september-22-2023-ww20z6g2):
"Among the significant number of children’s books published in the UK (particularly those focused on history, the ancient world, mythology, inspiring real-world characters, etc). it is noticeable how almost all Jewish characters or stories have been excised or obscured (other than the ever-present, token, reference to Anne Frank).
The Jewish people were sovereign in the Land of Israel for over 1,300 years (from 1258 BCE to 70 CE), each of the Temples stood for centuries, and our history (both in the Holy Land and elsewhere) is fascinating and complex. But I challenge anyone to find current mainstream children’s books focusing on any of these topics. There are countless books about the ancient Egyptians, Greeks, Romans, and other peoples, but none I am aware of about Ancient Israel.
There are scores of books about ancient travellers and explorers, but barely a mention of Benjamin of Tudela and numerous other Jewish travellers. There is a strong focus on women pioneers, but no current mainstream books about Doña Gracia Mendes Nasi or Glückel von Hameln (or even Golda Meir, for that matter).
The reason is pretty obvious: if you accept and celebrate the historical truth that Jews have lived in the Land of Israel for millennia (and done much else besides), this undermines the prevailing antisemitic slander that the founding of the State of Israel was a settler colonial enterprise."
The Jewish people were not sovereign in the Land of Israel for 1300 years. Your timeline goes from 1258 bce to 70 ce.
Let's start at 70 ce. It was Pompey who conquered Judea a century before that date in 63 bce.
The Jewish revolt in 66 ce was against Roman occupation. The Jews were not sovereign.
Before that the Maccabees revolted against the Seleucid Empire who had been in control of Judea. The Seleucids took control of Judea from Ptolemaic Egypt.
These Hellenistic empires owe their origin to Alexander the Greats conquests beginning in 338 bce.
Nebuchadnezzar II destroyed Jerusalem in his 18th year (587 BCE)
The Assyrians conquered the Kingdom of Israel between 732 and 720 BCE.
Theres lots of history in that timeline period that you omitted.
In reality the Jewish people have had little experience with true sovereignty over the many centuries of their existence, which only makes the existence of modern Israel the more remarkable.
In our own time today we can see the enormous cost in blood and treasure it takes to maintain Israeli sovereignty.
A nice soft touch for an often thorny subject, when it shouldn't be. Just what was needed. In essence, what other nation has been almost wholly formed of refugees? That alone should be something for the left wing to get behind and praise strongly - which they used to do. Their change of stance has been one of the most disgusting and dishonest about-turns of this generation.
Beautiful article Joshua - only need to go to Israel once to fall in love with the country
Once your little one travels down this path, they should be taught something else that is exclusively Israeli. Krav Maga.
Good point! And so many wonderful and amazing Jewish role models for children, from both secular society and biblical history to aspire to, including intellectuals, warriors, athletes, statesmen, actors, comedians, entrepreneurs; Einstein, Maccabees, Freud, Mier, etc., etc..
I have no children but my cat is a proud Zionist too.
Is your cat named Katz?
Kitty Kashrut…