Spotlight on Gush Katif Education Week

Spotlight on Gush Katif Education Week by Sara L. Shomron

There are many who remain unaware of the controversial forced removal, dispossession and destruction of the Gush Katif bloc of Jewish communities, August, 2005. Those Jewish youth, in Israel and abroad, too young at the time to know of it can now connect to the Zionist imperative and legacy.

This week, February 12-17, 2012, in conjunction with the Knesset’s “Gush Katif and Northern Shomron Memorial Law,” passed in 2008, and with the approval of the Ministry of Education. hundreds of schools across Israel will voluntarily designate a special Gush Katif Day or week by learning about the history and relevance of Gush Katif to the country’s development. The dynamic and engaging programs will include speakers from former Gush Katif communities, relevant videos, and a Gush Katif (Hebrew) educational kit. These kits, produced by the Gush Katif Committee, provide student-friendly, grade appropriate legacy materials.




1) Youtube videos abound in English and Hebrew,and can be pre-screened.


2) Materials available in English include but are not limited to:
Gush Katif: A Celebration of the Settlers
video narrated with a message of hope by teenage Neve Dekalim resident and author, Shifra Shomron



Guide to Gush Katif: A Celebration to the Settlers video
the testimonial and authentic account of Shifra Shomron,
Grains Of Sand The Fall of Neve Dekalim a novel written in third person historical fiction format;
Literature Study Guide for Grains Of Sand The Fall Of Neve Dekalim power point slide–show presentation;
"Grains Of Sand" Post-reading activities and project ideas


3) Suggested Gush Katif books in English can be found here


4) Facebook pages offering a more personal look and awareness of former Gush Katif residents including issues still being grappled.


5) The Jewish Press newspaper is running an exclusive feature on Gush Katif families and their current situation:
THE KALEF FAMILY FORMERLY OF NEVE DEKALIM; NOW OF NITZAN

THE CHEMLA FAMILY FORMERLY OF NEVE DEKALIM; NOW OF NITZAN

THE SHAUL FAMILY - FORMERLY OF MOSHAV GAN OR; NOW NITZAN CARAVILLA SITE


YOSSI AND SARA LAYAH SHOMRON: FORMERLY OF NEVE DEKALIM, NOW NITZAN

THE LILINTAL FAMILY - FORMERLY OF NEVE DEKALIM; NOW NITZAN

THE HADAD FAMILY - THEN NETZER HAZANI; NOW NITZAN


THE SHATZ FAMILY - THEN ELEY SINAI; NOW KIBBUTZ KARMYIA

THE YEFETS - THEN NETZER HAZANI, GUSH KATIF; NOW EIN TZURIM

THE YA'AKOVS - FORMERLY OF GAN OR; NOW IN NITZAN


THE TUCKERS - NETZER HAZANI, GUSH KATIF NOW OF EIN TZURIM

THE ELAZRIS - FORMERLY OF MOSHAV BEDOLAH, GUSH KATIF; NOW NITZAN

5) Veterans: Home, finally AVIN GANGTE representing the Bnai Menashe Community

6) The Gush Katif Museum

7) The Gush Katif Committee updates on the plight of the former Gush Katif residents here

The above select links and a host of others can all help keep the Gush Katif memory and legacy. Gush Katif has an important place in the Zionist enterprise and there are many lessons to learn - and not repeat. Consider the impact by this New Jersey youth's project - read about it here. After all, the forced removal of Jewish citizens and destruction of the Gush Katif communities affected us all regardless of religious and/or political affiliation – and remains relevant to this day.