Teacher's note: Check in with students as to how they are feeling. Let them know you, school counselors and administrators are there for them and are available to talk.

See our previous lessons on Israel-Hamas conflict here.

Summary

The conflict in the Middle East has been a fraught subject for decades, including in the U.S., and especially within American Jewish and Muslim communities. And for almost as long, interfaith groups have sought to bring those communities together to find common ground. That doesn’t make witnessing and talking about the current war any easier. Ali Rogin reports.

For a transcript to read alongside as you watch the video, click here.

News wrap alternative: Check out recent segments from the NewsHour, and choose the story you’re most interested in watching. You can make a Google doc copy of discussion questions that work for any of the stories here.

Warm-up questions

• Who are the two guests for this story, and what are their backgrounds?
• What is New Ground and what is its purpose?
• Where is New Ground based?
• How do the guests plan to unite Jewish and Muslim communities despite the conflict?
• Why do the guests say continuing to have conversations about feelings around the conflict is important?

Focus questions

Do you think it's important to talk about the Israel-Hamas conflict with friends and family? Why, if so? How do you think keeping conversation open might help you personally or help your community?

Media literacy: Why do you think the interviewer started this interview by asking how the guests were feeling?

Alternative: See, Think, Wonder: What did you notice? What did the story make you think? What story would you want to find out more about? Where would you go to learn more?

For more

What students can do: How can you set up ground rules to have a difficult conversation around traumatic world or national events? You can start with this guideline from Facing History and Ourselves.

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