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Rosh Hashanah Greeting Card
(YIVO Institute for Jewish Research) |
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Learning Activity 5:
Culminating Activity
1. Students should now have a fuller picture of what life was like for Jewish immigrants in America. Divide the class into groups of five to seven people and have each group assume the role of a family, with students playing the various parts: mother, father, grandmother, son, etc. Have them imagine they are living in Europe during one of the three time periods explored in the lesson. (If the class has studied all three time periods, have one-third of the groups look at each time period.) Groups must choose a city of residence and create a family history.
2. Each family is considering moving to America, but they have not yet made a decision. They have heard from friends and relatives who already live there, and they must debate whether or not they should make the journey as well. In their discussions, students should use specific examples from the notes they took during individual and group work to support their argument.
Each family should create a chart to help them decide. The chart should list reasons both for and against moving to America, and students should consider the following questions:
- If the family chooses to leave, where in America will they settle?
- What will they do to earn a living?
- What are some of the challenges they will face in this new country?
- What opportunities will they have?
- If they choose to stay in Europe, will they move to another European city or country?
- What is their plan of action for dealing with the hardships they are currently enduring if they choose not to leave?
3. Once each family has made a choice, students should list the five most influential factors in their decision and explain why these things played a large role in what they chose to do.
Have the groups use the atlas to understand how the United States grew over the years, observe what the political and social climate was like in certain cities, and identify the city or area that they wish to move to.  Atlas: US, 1492-1789 and
Atlas: US, 1789-1925 correspond to the time periods covered in this lesson. They may use the atlas of Europe to identify the city or area in which the family resides. If they choose not to move to America, students should decide where they will live in Europe.
4. Have each family share their history, the highlights of their debate, and their final decision with the class.
Research Extension for Culminating Activity
Over the years, Jews have migrated to many areas around the world. Have students research Jewish immigration to countries other than America using the HERITAGE DVD-ROM and other resources.
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