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Eyeing Israel Coverage
A
II eyes are on Israel in classrooms around the U.S.
thanks to a compelling new educational initiative
developed by one of America's premier monitors of
Middle East reporting.
The "Eyes on Israel" secondary-school curriculum is the
product of CAMERA, the Committee for Accuracy on Middle
East Reporting in America. This Washington-based nonprofit
organization tracks media coverage of the beleaguered Middle
East. It seeks accurate, balanced and complete reporting,
especially about Israel.
"Eyes on Israel" is presented on a
multimedia compact disk. The easily
grasped content promotes awareness
of media ethics in general and encour-
ages critical thinking about Mideast
news reports. The CD boasts lesson
plans, student handouts, teacher aids
and other materials. It stresses the
power of language to shape ideas
— and how to read about and listen
to the news to detect biased reporting
against Israel.
The course of study opens a window into the spheres of
journalistic integrity, Israel advocacy and analytical expres-
sion.
As we head into the home stretch of the U.S. presidential
race, the idea of our teenagers caring
about the Jewish ancestral homeland
echoes for me. The issue of Israel — not
only its survival, but also its prosperity
— should be crucial for every Jew. It's
one of the prime issues to consider in
casting your ballot next Tuesday.
have been mangled in many media reports. Novick plans to
use this module in her 11th- and 12th-grade English classes
closer to Yom HaAtzmaut, Israel Independence Day. Students
will see a sampling of press articles misquoting the resolution
as well as corrections published at CAMERAs urging. Says
Novick: "It is so important for students to identify misinfor-
mation that appears in the media and to take steps to see that
this misinformation is corrected!"
I asked one of Novick's students, Elizabeth Kirshner of Oak
Park, to confirm the CAMERA curriculum's value. The ninth-
grader called it an eye opener to twisted reporting. In a per-
ceptive response, Kirshner told me: "It's not about taking sides
or defending anyone in the Middle East conflict or otherwise;
it's about fairness and accuracy"
Considering that many people learn about world events
only through print and broadcast reporters, it's scary that sup-
posedly accurate stories actually serve to advance prejudice
and, ultimately, hate, Kirshner said. "When journalists are dis-
honest:' she said, "they take advantage of their positions and
of the general public. I am confident knowing that CAMERA
is taking action by educating and informing!'
CAMERA recommends "Eyes on Israel" for seventh-
through 12th-graders. Federation's Alliance for Jewish
Education especially recommends it for older high school
students. Among the places the CD also has been used locally
are Temple Israel and the Frankel Jewish Academy, both in
West Bloomfield, and Temple Emanu-
El in Oak Park. Schools in Canada,
the United Kingdom, South Africa and
Australia also are hooked.
"It's not about taking
sides or defending any-
one in the Middle East
conflict or otherwise;
it's about fairness and
accuracy.
Battle Smarts
Hillel Zaremba, CAMERA senior
researcher, created "Eyes on Israel"
after the second wave of Palestinian
Ways To Learn
terror began in 2000. That's when col-
More than 500 synagogue and day
lege campuses became a surrogate
schools in America and Europe already
battleground for the Arab-Israeli con-
use "Eyes on Israel: I learned in an e-
flict. Jewish students often have been
mail note from CAMERAS Isabel Smith.
overwhelmed by pro-Palestinian stu-
The curriculum is offered at no cost; no
- Akiva ninth-grader Elizabeth Kirshner dents powerfully indoctrinated against
Jewish school should pass up the offer.
Zionism.
Role playing is a key component of
"We understood that waiting until students got to college
this excellent teaching tool. So is peer review of papers, which
might be too late Zaremba said. "The ability to think criti-
allows students to appreciate the need to write clearly and
cally and analyze media reports was something that we felt
with care to validate arguments through specific examples,
students needed to acquire before they were confronted by
whatever the topic.
propaganda, both from student groups and from professors
Pessie Busel Novick is an English and Jewish philosophy
who played fast and loose with the facts!'
high school teacher at Yeshivat Akiva in Southfield. I liked
Amen.
how she seized the opportunity to teach the art of formulating
persuasive opinion. "Often, students will claim that when a
Of course, much of this teaching is for naught if parents
don't reinforce the newly acquired knowledge at home.
question asks for an opinion, there can be no 'wrong' answer:'
We, the American Jewish community, must come together
she said. "It is very hard to explain to them that these ques-
tions are graded not on the basis of right or wrong, but on the in acclimating Jewish high school students to what they are
sure to experience following graduation: namely, intimidating
validity of the argument offered!'
Too many students maintain that teachers downgrade them bias and hatred toward Israelis and, by extension, Jews every-
where.
because of disagreement over expressed thoughts. "Much
Embracing "Eyes on Israel" is a good way to start. ❑
to my satisfaction:' Novick said, "I was able to compare two
papers that arrived at opposing conclusions and show the
students that each paper was valid and worthy of an W. I was
0
What other ways can we excite teenagers
walking around in 'teacher heaven' for quite some time after-
fr about Israel?
lu)
wards!'
p
Z • Why do so many media reports seem to
The second of four curriculum modules that comprise
"Eyes on Israel" delves into U.N. Security Council Resolution
°°
a. be anti-Zionist?
242, the diplomatic basis of Arab-Israeli peace talks, which
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October 30 v 2008
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