Behold The Land - Helen Fine

WE FIND THE STATEMENT IN RABBINIC LITERATURE that “the land of Israel is the holiest of lands. Many similar statements underscore the singular significance which Eretz Yisrael has always held in Jewish life and thought. Since the establishment of the State of Israel in 1948, diaspora Jews have become increasingly conscious of its unique importance in their lives and its incalculable impact on their institutions. An essential medium for conveying the pro- found effect of Israel is the curriculum of the Jewish school. Several years ago, the Commission on Jewish Education recognized this by endorsing the book Israel Today by Essrig and Segal. The commission once again emphasizes the importance of teaching Israel with this new edition of Behold, the Land. Behold, the Land reaches children who did not experience the miracle of Israel’s rebirth and early development. They have had little contact, if any, with the land and its people. Therefore the author concentrates not on events of the distant past but on present forces which make Israel what it is. Through this emphasis on the con- temporary character of people and country, it is hoped that Jewish children will develop personal and lasting identification with their fellow-Jews of Eretz Yisrael who struggle to exist in peace and to live the ancient Covenant in modern terms. Daniel B. Syme National Director of Education