10a+Ruth+HaDagNachash

I selected HaDagNachash's (HDN) video "Elohim Sheli", which is a take on the original by Uzi Chitman. The lesson plan that's supposed to accompany the video is no longer active. This video has many cultural implications, and some are unique to the Israel experience. The overall message however can be applicable to any people searching for a peaceful existence. After hearing this I decided to hear the original song (which I hadn't until now), and the song was entirely different in tone and feel. That became an interesting opportunity to present to students so I decided do some poking around on youtube, I was motivated to outline a possible lesson using several videos.

The HDN video by itself is pretty raw stuff, and very powerful. I loved the imagery and the melody was haunting. It turns angelic dreams on it's head (literally) with turning and spinning images of angels. The peaceful time of evening that is supposed to be part of a night slumber escapes the dreamer...as does peace in general. In the end, there's no doubt that this is a part of the Israel story and the story of the Jewish people in general: a plea for being treated like every other people. This is something that the teacher can easily transition to Jewish liturgy (specifically tefillot said during fast days--- for example, Lamentations). This video speaks teen language through many ways: not only the dialogue, and music, but the urgency and some of the angst of adolescence.

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I can see using this material in several ways:with students in grades 10 - 12 taking an Education course (to help them see other ways of teaching tefillah), or a class on Tefillah and/or Tehillim. The topic would take from 2 - 3 lessons.

Since Uzi Chitman had such a great impact on Israeli music, I would begin the lesson with a trigger by asking students to brainstorm (and sing) as many melodies as they can of Adon Olam, perhaps asking why they think there are so many, if they know the meaning of the tefillah, when it was written, etc. I'd play this composition by Chitman with his version of [|Adon Olam] to see if they were familiar with it. The class would discuss the words, lyrics, and if/in what ways the melody enhanced the meaning. Next class: I'd play the short video about [|Uzi's Chitman's life] Then, I would have the class break into groups to discuss the lyrics of "Elohim Sheli", ask them to create images that go along with it, feelings, etc. and then play Chitman's [|original version]. The students would share in what ways the melody and lyrics relate to each other, and what feelings and images the song brings up. Were the images the same? Different? Why? (a side journey could be discussions about what makes a song, what makes a prayer). We'd then listen to the HDN's take on the same song, and discuss their reactions and responses both to the music, the images, and the feelings conveyed. I would imagine that there would be much to talk about: anger, belief, power/falliblity of a Higher Being, Man's role vs. God's role, etc. This could lead into very powerful and personal discussions about their experiences vs.Israeli teens', plus discussions about the univeral messages of Adon Olam versus this song. There are endless paths to take! I can't wait to use this material.