Themes

Make an Israel Memory Box

Aim: To create a symbolic reminder of Israel.

Materials: Small wooden or cardboard boxes such as shoe boxes, found items, construction paper, markers, scissors and glue

Procedure:

1. Moses Formstecher created his model in a bottle as a reminder of the ancient Temple that once stood in Jerusalem. (A more common type of reminder is what is known as a mizrah. Mizrah is Hebrew for “east.” It is traditional for Jews living west of Israel to pray toward the east, the site of the Temple. A mizrah plaque is sometimes placed on the eastern wall of a home or synagogue as a reminder of the direction of prayer.)

2. Show students Formstecher’s model and discuss its design and function. Then have students create their own memory boxes to remind them of Israel and Jerusalem.

3. Have students collect stones, postcards, colors, or other textural elements that symbolize Jerusalem to them.

4. Distribute boxes to students along with markers, paper, scissors, and glue.

5. Students can arrange and attach their found items inside the boxes or hang them from the outside. They can also decorate the inside and outside of the boxes with traditional or personal images, including the letters of the Hebrew word mizrah (מזרח).