WAR WEEK
Many of us have had moments when we feel the pressure of life—those last few push-ups or that last hour of cramming for
exams—when you feel that if you learn one more thing your head is going to explode.
Eden’s soldiers are experiencing a different kind of pressure.
week of training.
PLAY FILM WAR WEEK (3:12 Minutes)
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ASK:
his soldiers to learn from this week?
EXPLAIN
TAKE-AWAY
#1
You are capable of
more than you think
because we all
have unlimited
potential.
TAKE-AWAY
#2
circumstances are
opportunities for
personal
growth.
Example: Oren feels like his commander Eden pushes him and his fellow soldiers more than any of
their other commanders. Eden wants each soldier to give 200%.
•
Example:
exhaustion.
•
take home?
•
TAKE-AWAY
#3
Mistakes are an
opportunity to
learn and grow.
Example:
•
A JERUSALEM U
THE ROUGH DAY
We all have hard days—days when we’ve blown a test or had a misunderstanding with a friend. Whatever it may be, we do not
always meet the expectations of others or our own expectations of ourselves.
PLAY FILM ROUGH DAY (3:13 Minutes)
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ASK:
EXPLAIN
TAKE-AWAY
#1
Small things
can have big
consequences.
Example:
No detail seems too small for him.
•
•
TAKE-AWAY
#2
We become
great by taking
responsibility.
Example:
He comes down very hard on them when they don’t.
•
•
Example:
TAKE-AWAY
#3
Learn to fail or
fail to learn.
•
•
•
A JERUSALEM U
LONE SOLDIER
Sometimes there are things we want badly—we work toward them, we plan for them and we give our all to get them. But
Oren really wants to serve in a combat unit so that he can protect Israel and the Jewish people in his own way. It’s his life-long
dream, and it prompts him to come to Israel and join the IDF as a lone soldier. The term “lone soldier” means that he serves
in the IDF without the support of home and family. Mekonen is also considered a lone soldier because his family’s economic
situation prevents his mother from giving him the basic support that is considered standard for Israeli soldiers.
Halfway through training Oren collapses, and the doctors are concerned that he may have a serious health issue that will
prevent him from serving as a combat soldier.
PLAY FILM LONE SOLDIER (5:17 minutes)
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ASK:
EXPLAIN
TAKE-AWAY
#1
The Jewish People
are one family.
TAKE-AWAY
#2
Friendships grow
through giving.
TAKE-AWAY
#3
When life gives
you lemons, make
lemonade.
Example: Oren and Mekonen come from completely different backgrounds, yet they feel as close as
real brothers.
Example: Oren and Mekonen had both gone through a very strenuous training session when Oren
collapsed. Though completely exhausted, Mekonen mustered his strength and ran to get help.
Example: Oren’s entire future as a combat soldier hangs in the balance, yet he makes the extra effort
to remain positive.
A JERUSALEM U
PRODUCTION
COMMANDER CORAL
As a commander of lone soldiers, Coral is responsible for much more than just their basic military training—she also plays
a nurturing role, helping them adjust to Israeli society both mentally and physically. Lone soldiers need this extra support
because they come from many different countries around the world to serve in the Israeli army. They leave their family, friends
and support networks behind and must adjust to a totally new environment.
PLAY FILM COMMANDER CORAL (3:35 minutes)
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ASK: In what way is Coral like a parent?
EXPLAIN
TAKE-AWAY
#1
Example: Coral gets up before her soldiers and goes to bed long after they’ve gone to sleep. She
barely has time to shower or make phone calls—and she loves her job.
ASK
• Why do you think Coral loves her job so much?
•
Example: Coral is a female commander who must lead and take responsibility for several hundred
male trainees—but she takes what comes in stride and doesn’t allow the soldiers to intimidate her.
TAKE-AWAY
#2
ASK
• What do you think would be difficult about being the only woman in charge of several
hundred men?
• In what way does valuing yourself help you succeed in life?
TAKE-AWAY
#3
Example:
wearing their uniform properly.
ASK
• Why do you think it is more meaningful to teach these basic army skills to lone soldiers?
• Is there something in your life that from one angle seems mundane, but if looked at differently
would be inherently meaningful?
A JERUSALEM U
THE CANDID CONVERSATION
What does it mean to be loyal? What does it mean to be loyal to Israel? Is it enough to like a pro-Israel post on Facebook? Does
it mean standing up for Israel at school? Does it mean making aliyah or serving in the IDF?
Clearly, loyalty and responsibility can mean different things to different people.
lives if necessary. In this clip, the commanders have a discussion with the soldiers about loyalty to prepare them to make this
commitment.
PLAY FILM THE CANDID CONVERSATION (4:57 minutes)
??
ASK: • Why is it important for the soldiers to discuss loyalty and understand their oath?
• If you were sitting with the soldiers, how do you think your answers would differ with theirs?
EXPLAIN
TAKE-AWAY
#1
Clarity leads to
commitment.
Example:
they take their oath at the Western Wall. He took valuable time away from training to have this
discussion.
• How does clear direction help you stay loyal and committed?
• Think of a time when you did not have a clear direction. Did it affect your commitment?
Example: The soldiers all have different opinions about what constitutes loyalty, and Commander
TAKE-AWAY
#2
Loyalty expresses
itself in different
ways.
TAKE-AWAY
#3
Loyalty requires
•
• Do you feel responsibility toward Israel?
• In what way does living outside of Israel shape your understanding of loyalty to Israel?
Example:
Israel—Israel is not here to serve them.
•
• Why do you think Commander Ofir feels that selflessness is such an important part of loyalty
to Israel?
A JERUSALEM U
PRODUCTION