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Lost Tribes of Israel

Viewing Ideas

Before Watching

1. Discuss and record characteristics of a traditional Jewish belief system. Some of these include circumcision, opposition to marriage outside of the faith, kosher food system, and observance of holidays. As they watch, have students note the characteristics of Lemba tribe traditions.

2. Have students brainstorm and list the challenges European scientists might encounter as they cross Africa to collect tissue samples for DNA research.

After Watching

1. Return to lists students made of traditional Jewish customs and compare and contrast those with characteristics of Lemba tribe traditions. How many characteristics of the Lemba tribe match? How much confidence do students have in the Lemba tribe's claim? What impact do the genetic tests have on their conclusions?

2. The anthropologist in this program uses DNA to try to establish relationships between groups of people. Discuss other ways DNA is used to determine relatedness or identity.