Introduction: 

This program, originally designed as a reflective way to observe Yom Ha’atzma’ut (Israeli Independence Day) is suitable as a year-round program encouraging participants to reflect on their relationship to the Land, Inhabitants, and State of Israel, engage with a variety of texts on those themes, and to articulate their own vision. 

Materials: 

• Printed copies of diverse prayers for Israel source sheet (ideally multiple copies) 
• Paper and writing utensils 

Program Outline (60-90 minutes): 

• Reading Prayers/Poems (30 minutes) 
• Writing (20 minutes) 
• Optional: Gallery Walk (20 minutes) 
• Closing Reflections (10-20 minutes) 

Reading Prayers (30 minutes) 

• Before you begin reading prayers/poems, ask participants if they have heard prayers for Israel before, and what feelings a prayer (or the idea of a prayer) for Israel evokes. 
• Read the poems aloud slowly. As you read, have participants note down words, phrases, or ideas that they find compelling. 

Writing (20 minutes) 

• Put on some quiet music and provide time for participants to use their notes to create their own poem/prayer about Israel. They can adapt an existing poem or write one totally on their own. 

Optional: Gallery Walk (20 minutes) 

• If participants would like, they can place their new prayers/poems around the room (or on a table or wall) for others to read.  

Closing Reflections (10-20 minutes) 

• After writing poems, it’s important to provide participants with an opportunity for group reflection. Consider asking one or more of these questions: 
  • How are you feeling right now? 
  • What did you think of the different prayers and poems we read?
  • What is meaningful for you in a prayer? What is challenging? 
  • Have you written prayers or poetry before? How did this exercise feel? 
  • Did this activity help you learn anything about yourself?  
  • Did this activity help you articulate anything you didn’t have words for?