Key Theme for 5757 and 5758:

"The Centenary of the first Zionist Congress
&
Fifty Years since the Establishment of the State of Israel"

Director-General's Circular

Preface

The central theme for the coming two years will focus on experience-based projects, as well as value-related and national aspects relevant to the Jewish people and the State of Israel.

This present circular presents and addresses the rationale, goals, and objectives felt to be common to the entire educational system and of particular relevance to the coming year, which will primarily be focusing on Zionism. An additional circular will be issued for the 1997-98 school year, on the theme of fifty years since the founding of the State of Israel.

The rationale and the goals described below are designed to allow different emphases/ highlights to be developed and adapted for each specific target population (by sectors, age groups, special populations, and discipline).

The key to the success of the theme throughout the educational system will lie in the learning and reflection among teaching personnel themselves, during training sessions and at the meetings of in-service teams.

Please note that the subject is not intended for history classes alone - all teaching personnel should be involved in it. We recommend that educational systems encourage a variety of further training formats for teachers, in order to help as many teachers as possible to participate. The academic framework for the theme will be provided in Israel by Yad Ben Zvi.

The planning and administration of the central theme are being provided jointly by the Committee for the Implementation of the Shenhar Committee Report, together with the Education and Diaspora Coordinator (Dov Eisen), the various departments of the Jewish Agency and the World Zionist Organization, and other bodies involved in various areas and aspects of Zionism.

Finally, my sincere thanks go out to the many people who have provided input for this circular -- including philosophers, historians, educationalists, and large numbers of students and subject specialists. They were all interviewed, and their ideas and thoughts have contributed to the final version of this document.

Educational agencies and teachers are invited to reciprocate by contributing syllabuses developed for the central theme.

Wishing all those involved in the topic success, interest and enjoyment.

Dalia Goren
Central Theme Supervisor,
The Pedagogic Secretariat,
Israel Ministry of Education

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