NOTE: If you are short on time, watch the video and complete this See, Think, Wonder activity: What did you notice? What did the story make you think about? What would you want to learn more about?
SUMMARY
For millions of Jews around the world, Hanukkah ended Monday evening at nightfall. A holiday centered on dedication and perseverance, the Festival of Lights is particularly special in Israel, and especially for survivors of Oct. 7, their families and the families of the lost. The News Hour's producer in Israel, Karl Bostic, sent this report from two kibbutzes shattered by terror, and now reviving.
View the transcript of the story.
News 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.
Key terms
kibbutz (kibbutzim pl.) — a voluntary and communal living situation originally based on agriculture, which first began in 1910 on land that would become Israel by "young Jews from eastern Europe who believed in the Zionist mission of building a Jewish homeland in Palestine," according to NPR. Over the years, kibbutzim grew (270 as of 2010) and have become more industrial, tourist and high-tech based while still maintaining a strong community.
WARM-UP QUESTIONS
- Where are the kibbutzim located in this story?
- When (year) were the Oct. 7 attacks?
- Who are Gadi Moses and Yuda Simon?
- What did Moses ask his captors to listen to, and what religious holiday did he figure out was being celebrated?
- Why do lights play a significant role in the Jewish faith, including during Hanukkah?
ESSENTIAL QUESTIONS
- How does Hanukkah provide hope for the people in the kibbutzim after the Oct. 7 attacks?
- Is there a cultural or religious celebration that you have experienced that gives you hope? Explain.
Media literacy: Why do you think the News Hour's producers decided to focus on two kibbutzim, Nir Oz and Be'eri, as opposed to discussing Hanukkah events throughout Israel?
WHAT STUDENTS CAN DO
Write a critically reflective response (about a paragraph long) based on the statement by Netta Asher, 23-year-old Nir Oz resident, and choose which question(s) to answer:
Pen on notebook page filled with handwriting. Selective focus.
"You're not really safe anywhere. And once you let go and you accept, that's when serenity comes. I think it's the best cure for anxiety in a very paradoxical [opposing] way."
- Do you agree with Asher's view about safety? Why or why not? Why do you think she made this statement?
- Was there a time when you didn't feel safe? What did you do? Did you talk to anyone about your experience? What did you learn about yourself or other people from this experience?
If you feel comfortable, share this lesson and your written response with a family member, neighbor or friend, and talk together about what you learned.
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