3-4

• The students will learn about the Seven Species and their unique properties while referring to the custom of eating from the Seven Species on the “Festival of the Trees” (Tu B’Shvat).
• The students will learn about the story of the Menorah, as a symbol of the Jewish people in general, and as a symbol of the State of Israel in particular.
• The students will learn in-depth about the Seven Species Menorah that was given as a gift to the Knesset on its “birthday” on Tu B’Shvat.

The Land of Israel was blessed with the Seven Species, which are usually eaten on Tu B’Shvat.
Tu B’Shvat is not only the “Festival of the Trees,” it is also a festive day for the Knesset because the first meeting of the Knesset took place on Tu B’Shvat in 1949. A sculpture that was given to the Knesset in honor of its fiftieth year combines the Seven Species and the Menorah- an ancient Jewish symbol representing the Jewish people and the symbol of the State of Israel, respectively.
In this lesson, we will learn about the connection between Tu B’Shvat, the Menorah, and the Knesset, which are embodied in the Seven Species Menorah sculpture that stands in the House of Representatives of the State of Israel in Jerusalem

What are the Seven Species, and what are their unique characteristics?
 
What is a symbol? Why do we need symbols? How did the Menorah become a symbol?
 
What does the Seven Species Menorah look like? Why was it given to the Knesset? What parts is it made up of? Who sculpted it

Introduction - What are the Topics that we will Learn Today
 
1. Tu B’Shvat and the Seven Species (matching game between pictures and sayings)
2. The Temple Menorah symbolizes the Jewish people (information page and interpretation of the symbols)
3. The Knesset’s birthday on Tu B’Shvat and getting to know the Seven Species Menorah (puzzle of the statue)
4. Creating a Seven Species Menorah (video with instructions)
If there is still time, or in order to expand on the topic, you can watch the clip “The Knesset,” which provides an introduction to Israel’s House of Representatives (video + question cards)

Presenting the topics covered: Tu B’Shvat, the Seven Species, and the Temple Menorah

What do we know about each of the topics

Tu B’Shvat and the Seven Species:
The teacher will hang a picture of each of the Seven Species around the classroom (each one in a different place). The students will work in groups of three. Each group will receive a card with information about Tu B’Shvat in general and the Seven Species in particular.
Each card will have a different puzzle written on it that describes one of the Seven Species.
The group will read the puzzle and stand under the picture of the correct fruit.
At the end of the activity, the teacher will go through the Seven Species and ask each group to share a unique feature of the fruit (as written on their card).

The teacher hands out the worksheet about symbols and the Menorah symbol.

The Knesset, Tu B’Shvat, and the Sculpture
Print:
a. An A4 page with 9 cubes drawn on it.
On each cube is a sentence or question.
b. Another A4 page with a picture of the Seven Species Menorah sculpture that has been divided up into nine sections that match up to the first page.
c. An A4 page with nine cubes that each have text inside of them (answers).
Sheet B should be stuck on top of Sheet C.
Cut according to the lines so that nine squares are formed.
The children should sit in a circle.
Put Page A in the middle of the circle.
Read the questions and anyone who thinks they have the answer comes and places their square in the right place.
In the end. turn over the nine pieces of the puzzle to see what the sculpture looks like.
(You can also give these pages to groups of nine children. Print 2 or 3 sets according to the number of children in the class.)

1. When was the State of Israel established?
2. When was the first session of the Knesset held?
3. What did the Knesset members do on their way to the meeting?
4. On what date is the Knesset’s birthday celebrated?
5. In what year did the Knesset turn 50?
6. From whom did the Knesset receive the gift?
7. Who made the gift?
8. What form is the sculpture?

What are the branches of the Menorah made of?

The teacher shows the demonstration video and helps the children build a sculpture according to the different stages.

5-6

-The students will learn about the Seven Species and their unique properties while referring to the custom of eating from the Seven Species on the “Festival of the Trees” (Tu B’Shvat).
-The students will learn about the story of the Menorah, as a symbol of the Jewish people in general, and as a symbol of the State of Israel in particular.
-The students will learn in-depth about the Seven Species Menorah that was given as a gift to the Knesset on its “birthday” on Tu B’Shvat.
-The students will learn about the Knesset and its special connection to Tu B’Shvat
The students will learn about the Seven Species Menorah sculpture that is located in the Knesset and will understand the connection between the three topics studied. They will also prepare a sketch of their own sculpture (as part of the internalization process).

The Land of Israel was blessed with the Seven Species, which are usually eaten on Tu B’Shvat.
Tu B’Shvat is not only the “Festival of the Trees,” it is also a festive day for the Knesset because the first meeting of the Knesset took place on Tu B’Shvat in 1949. A sculpture that was given to the Knesset in honor of its fiftieth year combines the Seven Species and the Menorah- an ancient Jewish symbol representing the Jewish people and the symbol of the State of Israel, respectively.
In this lesson, we will learn about the connection between Tu B’Shvat, the Menorah, and the Knesset, which are embodied in the Seven Species Menorah sculpture that stands in the House of Representatives of the State of Israel in Jerusalem

What are the Seven Species, and what are their unique characteristics?
 
What is a symbol? Why do we need symbols? How did the Menorah become a symbol?
 
What is the Knesset? What is the role of the Knesset? What is the Knesset’s special connection to Tu B’Shvat?
 
What does the Seven Species Menorah look like? Why was it given to the Knesset? What parts is it made up of? Who sculpted it?
 
From an abstract idea to art- how an idea is expressed in art. Demonstrated by the Seven Species Menorah and creating their own sketch as part fo the internalization process and making the connection between the topics studied.

Introduction - What are the Topics that we will Learn Today
 
1. Tu B’Shvat and the Seven Species (matching game between pictures and sayings)
2. The Temple Menorah symbolizes the Jewish people (information page and interpretation of the symbols)
3. The Knesset,” - an introduction to Israel’s House of Representatives (video + question cards)
4. The Knesset’s birthday on Tu B’Shvat and getting to know the Seven Species Menorah (puzzle of the statue)
Creating a sketch for their own sculpture as an internalization of the connection between the Menorah, Tu B’Shvat, and the Knesset. It is also the experience of turning an idea into something tangible (from an idea into art)

Presenting the topics covered: Tu B’Shvat, the Seven Species, and the Temple Menorah

What do we know about each of the topics?
What else would you like to know?

Tu B’Shvat and the Seven Species:
The teacher will hand out a picture or information card to each student.
The students will have to find their “partner”- another student's matching card about their fruit.
At the end of the activity, each pair will present their picture and text to the class.

The Knesset:
Viewing guide worksheet for students:
We saw that when the State of Israel was established, it was decided that the Menorah would be the State’s symbol. What else happened when the State of Israel was established? The Knesset- Israel’s House of Representatives- was established too.
Now we’re going to watch a video explaining what the Knesset is.
Watch the video.
Questions about the video (they can be answered while watching).

1. How many members are part of the Knesset?
2. Where is the Knesset?
3. What year was the Knesset founded?
4. What is the role of the Knesset members?

Why is the Knesset called the Knesset?

The Knesset, Tu B’Shvat, and the Sculpture
Print:
a. An A4 page with 9 cubes drawn on it.
On each cube is a sentence or question.
b. Another A4 page with a picture of the Seven Species Menorah sculpture that has been divided up into nine sections that match up to the first page.
c. An A4 page with nine cubes that each have text inside of them (answers).
Sheet B should be stuck on top of Sheet C.
Cut according to the lines so that nine squares are formed.
The children should sit in a circle.
Put Page A in the middle of the circle.
Read the questions and anyone who thinks they have the answer comes and places their square in the right place.
In the end. turn over the nine pieces of the puzzle to see what the sculpture looks like.
(You can also give these pages to groups of nine children. Print 2 or 3 sets according to the number of children in the class.)

1. When was the State of Israel established?
2. When was the first session of the Knesset held?
3. What did the Knesset members do on their way to the meeting?
4. On what date is the Knesset’s birthday celebrated?
5. In what year did the Knesset turn 50?
6. From whom did the Knesset receive the gift?
7. Who made the gift?
8. What form is the sculpture?

What are the branches of the Menorah made of?

Each student receives a framed A5 page.
The following is written on the page:
The artist Eliezer Weishoff took the idea of the Seven Species representing Tu B’Shvat, which is also the birthday of the Knesset, and incorporated it into the sculpture together with the Menorah, the symbol of the State and of the Jewish people in general.
It is not easy to take an idea and to turn it into a piece of art.
Try and think of what kind of statue you would create to express the connection between Tu B’Shvat and the Jewish people.
Draw a sketch of it here:
 
 
 

Artist’s Name:
If you have a name for your creation, write it here:
Name of Piece:

1-2

• The students will learn about the Seven Species and their unique properties while referring to the custom of eating from the Seven Species on the “Festival of the Trees” (Tu B’Shvat).
• The students will learn about the story of the Menorah, as a symbol of the Jewish people in general, and as a symbol of the State of Israel in particular.
• The students will learn in-depth about the Seven Species Menorah that was given as a gift to the Knesset on its “birthday” on Tu B’Shvat.

The Land of Israel was blessed with the Seven Species, which are usually eaten on Tu B’Shvat.
Tu B’Shvat is not only the “Festival of the Trees,” it is also a festive day for the Knesset because the first meeting of the Knesset took place on Tu B’Shvat in 1949. A sculpture that was given to the Knesset in honor of its fiftieth year combines the Seven Species and the Menorah- an ancient Jewish symbol representing the Jewish people and the symbol of the State of Israel, respectively.
In this lesson, we will learn about the connection between Tu B’Shvat, the Menorah, and the Knesset, which are embodied in the Seven Species Menorah sculpture that stands in the House of Representatives of the State of Israel in Jerusalem

What are the Seven Species, and what are their unique characteristics?
 
What is a symbol? Why do we need symbols? How did the Menorah become a symbol?
 
What does the Seven Species Menorah look like? Why was it given to the Knesset? What parts is it made up of? Who sculpted it

Introduction - What are the Topics that we will Learn Today
 

1. Tu B’Shvat and the Seven Species (matching game between pictures and sayings)
2. The Temple Menorah symbolizes the Jewish people (information page and interpretation of the symbols)
3. The Knesset’s birthday on Tu B’Shvat and getting to know the Seven Species Menorah (puzzle of the statue)

Creating a Seven Species Menorah (video with instruction

Presenting the topics covered: Tu B’Shvat, the Seven Species, and the Temple Menorah

Tu B’Shvat and the Seven Species:
The questions that the teacher reads to the students:
 
My fruit is red. I have a hard shell. I have juicy kernels hidden inside of me. It is customary to eat me on Rosh Hashanah. Who am I? (For the teacher- the answer: pomegranate).
 
My fruits are small and green. They can be used to produce a very healthy edible oil. That oil was also used to light the fire of the Menorah that stood in the Temple. Who am I? (For the teacher- the answer: olive)
The central branch of my tree is used as a Lulav on the festival of Sukkot. My fruit is very sweet and, when dried, can keep for a long time (For the teacher- answer: date).
My fruit is sweet and juicy, green or purple. You can dry my fruits, and they can be preserved for a long time. The leaves of my tree are very large and covered Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. Who am I? (For the teacher- answer: fig)
My fruits are small and juicy and can be used to make wine which is blessed with a special blessing at Kiddush on Shabbat and festivals. Who am I? (For the teacher- answer: grape)
I grow in the field and have small, hard grains. You can grind these grains into flour and use the flour to make bread and cakes. Who am I? (For the teacher- answer: wheat)
I am a kind of grain that grows in the field. You can make flour from my grains and use the flour to make baked goods. My flour is less expensive than my friend, wheat, but my grains can also be used to make beer and other drinks. Who am I? (For the teacher- answer: barley).

The teacher can either project the slides or read without the slides:
What is a symbol?
A symbol is a drawing or image that describes a certain idea or institution/enterprise.
What symbols do you know?
Game: The teacher will show the children a picture or symbol, and they will say (by voting) what it symbolizes, in their opinion.
Do you recognize these symbols?

The teacher will hand out a page about the Menorah symbol. The teacher and the children will read the page together and complete the story:
The Jewish people also have a symbol. This symbol is really old (the Star of David became a symbol at a much later stage).

What is the Jewish symbol? And where did it come from?
Many years ago, the Temple stood in Jerusalem. It was the holiest place for the Jews. In the Temple stood a special, goldenMenorah with _ _ _ _ _ (seven) branches that always lit up the  Temple. The High Priest would light the Menorah with pure         _ _ _ _ _ (olive) oil.
 +   (2000) years ago, the Romans destroyed the  _ _ _ _ _ _ (Temple) in Jerusalem and took the precious Temple vessels with them back to Rome.
Among the vessels that they took was also the       _ _ _ _ _ _ _ (Menorah).

Even though the was taken to Rome, it was a Jewish symbol.
It symbolized the  Temple, and after the Temple was destroyed, it symbolized the Jewish people.

The Knesset, Tu B’Shvat, and the Sculpture
Print: An image of the Seven Species sculpture that has been divided into nine parts. Each part is printed onto an A4 page, and the teacher sticks a numbered sentence on the back of the page.
Every 2-3 students get a page.
Each group comes up to the board (according to the number on the back of their page) and hangs their page on the board.
 

1	2	3
4	5	6
7	8	9

 
The teacher should make sure that the pictures are hung in a 3*3 formation.
After everyone has hung their picture up, they will have created a complete text about the Menorah.
You can then stick the pages together (using adhesive paper) and turn the pages over so the colored sides are visible.
You will now have a perfect picture of the Seven Species Menorah sculpture.

The teacher shows the demonstration video and helps the children build a sculpture according to the different stages.