Can the U.S. Afford to Support Israel?

The Zionist movement continues to have an impact on our world--not just on Danny and Reuven in The Chosen. After reading Chapter 13, it's important to stop and build out schema and understand how U.S. support of Israel effects us. That means, we need to read and dig for answers. Why is the U.S. supporting the state of Israel? What's the cost of that support? Can we afford it in our current economic situation? Should we be involved in something that has such deep political and religious roots?

Visit the following sites, find some of your own, and then share your thoughts.

American poll says . . .
Why the U.S. supports Israel
A Nation Like Ours
U.S. Israel Support Unshakeable
U.S. Threatens World Peace

Hit a Jew Day

In a poll conducted in 2008, the survey found that Americans were tolerant of religions. Yet, in October 2008, several Missouri middle school students at Parkway West Middle School organized an unofficial "spirit week" which included a "Hit a Jew Day." During the school day, 35 Jewish students became targets of slaps and pokes and taps. In New City, a Jewish man is beaten for a Chanukah greeting and in Miami, the newspapers recently read Jewish teacher attacked in Miami. Check out the above links and the below videos.







Are we really tolerant of other religions? If so, why do we often end up debating religious issues/beliefs with others? Why do we become so passionate and angry? Share your thoughts.

Taking a Closer Look at Hasidic Lives

The world of Chaim Potok's novel The Chosen may be somewhat alien for readers who have never attended a yeshiva or lived in a Hasidic community. Yet it provides us an opportunity to better understand the rich diversity of our world and our connection to others who may first appear quite different than us. Over the past few days, you've learned a lot about two religious sects who reside in Brooklyn, New York, and you were left with several questions regarding male and female roles. Below are a couple of links that will help you learn even more and hopefully answer some of the questions you posed after watching A Life Apart.


A Profile of Hasidic Women

Photos from New York

Hasidic women in the U.S.

Separation of boys and girls--marriage

Hasidic Jew Must Leave Movie
After visiting the above links, share your thoughts to the following questions: How is Hasidic life different from ours? Do you believe that it is important that Hasidic Jews live close to one another? Would they be welcomed in your community/your subdivision? What would you say are the primary values of the Hasid culture? And to what degree do we all share those values? What are your thoughts/opinions about Hasidic beliefs/values?

What is Netiquette and Why Should I Care?

You are about to enter a new culture--the blogging culture--and if we're not careful, we may commit a few social blunders. We might offend people without meaning to, or we might misunderstand what others say and take offense when it's not intended. What we have to keep in mind is that blogging is not texting--it's also not facebook. Yes, we are still interacting and communicating, but there's a difference between social blogging and educational blogging.

First, I would like you to visit a couple of blogs--read the comments for some posts and notice what good bloggers do.
Sophomorescholars (Honors English 2009)
Advanced Lit. Survey
St. Louis Post Dispatch (Discussion blogs)

Second, I want to hear from you--after visiting the sites, what do intelligent bloggers do? And what should we not do as bloggers?

What is a blog?

You've probably already heard a lot about how teachers and students are using a variety of websites and technological tools like podcasts, wikis, nings, to assist student collaboration, dialogue, research, etc. But before we jump too far ahead, I thought it might be useful to talk about where all of this started: blogs.

If you don’t know what a blog is, you’re not alone; according to the Pew Internet & American Life Project, nearly two-thirds of Internet users aren't sure what the word "blog" means.

To understand a broader perspective of blogging, watch the video below:

Welcome to Honors English II

I am looking forward to our discussions this year and am eager to get us started. As you log in and create your profiles, I want to remind you how important safety will be for all of us. Keep your profile clear--only complete what is necessary, and please do not include a real picture of yourself--it's amazing what people can do with a photo these days=)