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Herzl Center for Zionist Studies
Activities at the Educational Center
Educational Activities
In addition tothe tours, visitors can participate in a wide variety of educational activities designed to expand their knowledge of Jewish Zionist history, whileat the same time they can determine for themselves in a personal waywhat their own position isregarding national issues. Some of the programs are devoted to general discussions, while others focus on specific issues, such as what it means to be a leader both in the past and the present; milestones in the life of Herzl, the visionary of the Jewish State; the difference between a "vision” and a "dream”; and the travelling exhibition “Herzl: Up Close and Personal.”
There are enrichment workshops combined with creative activities, aimed at bringing the participants closer to Zionist values. Guided activities, role-playing, reading of various works, and incisive discussions are just some of the activities that take place during these hands-on workshops.
Below is a list of the activities that are currently being conducted:
"You Shall Be a Wanderer in the Land” – an introductory activity
Workshop goal:
To enable participants to relate to such concepts as: “aliyah”, “emigration”, “the Jewish People", “Jewish Diaspora” and “shared destiny” in the context of Herzl’s vision.
Activity method:
Participants will look at the influence of Jewish wanderings throughout the generations.
Participants will introduce themselves and tell where their parents and grandparents were born, allowing each participant to examine the reasons why Jews immigrated/made aliyah throughout history, and to acknowledge Herzl’s contribution in formulating the Zionist movement anddealing withthe “Jewish question.”
"Milestones in Herzl’s Life – designing a currency in Herzl’s memory – an introductory activity
Workshop goal:
To enable participants to study key events in Herzl’s life, in preparation for a visit to the museum.
Activity method:
Participants will be shown different pictures from Herzl’s life, and will discuss which of the pictures or events is worthy of being commemorated on a note of currency to be designed in Herzl’s memory.
"Herzl Said" -an activity examining how Herzl’s book “The Jewish State”compares with the reality of the State of Israel – an introductory activity
Workshop goal:
To enable participants to learn several of Herzl’s quotes from his book, Der Judenstaat, and to compare the reality in Herzl’s day with Israel’s present reality.
Activity method:
Participants will discuss Herzl’s feelings on various topics, such as anti-Semitism, the military, religion and state, language, culture, education, etc. They will then be asked to express their own opinions on whether Herzl was right and how relevant Herzl’s statements are in contemporary Israel.
“My Flag is Blue and White” – opening / follow-up activity
Workshop goal:
To help participants understand the significance of the flag and compare Herzl’s proposed flag with Israel’s flag as it appears now.
Activity method:
Participants will suggest a variety of alternative designs for an Israeli flag that is better suited, in their view, to represent the State of Israel.
Jewish Demographics – current status – follow-up activity
Workshop goal:
To enable participants to understand the present demographic status of the Jewish people, a subject that was on Herzl’s agenda more than 100 years ago and continues to occupy our attention even today
Activity method:
Participants will be given information on the current demographic status of the Jewish people and will review the challenges and problems presently facing the Jewish people.
Tours of Mt. Herzl
The Herzl Center offers a wide range of hands-on tours around Mt. Herzl, such as a visit to Herzl’s tomb and those of his family members – his parents and his sister, as a culmination of a visit to the Museum.
Additional tour routes include: Stories of Heroism – Hannah Szenes, Yoni Netanyahu, a visit to the National Heroes Section (presidents, prime ministers, and Knesset chairpersons), a visit to the Military Cemetery, and more.
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