Our Story on the Line

Our Story on the Line

This module can be used at camps, schools, after-school programs, and Jewish community centers. In this activity, the group is introduced to the Timeline and invited to sort and learn about the events on it by recreating the timeline together.

Age Group: 12+

Group Size: Up to 20 participants

Time: 45–60 minutes

Materials Needed

• Copies of the Jewish Timeline brochure

• A long roll of large paper (to serve as the timeline)

• Cards with historical dates

• Separate cards with corresponding historical events

• Markers and tape to attach the cards

Instructions

Step 1. Setting up the Timeline

• Roll out the large paper along a table or on the floor.

• Draw a long, empty line. Mark a starting point on the left and leave an open ending on the far right, with space at both ends to show room before the first event and after the last.

• Distribute the date cards randomly among participants.

• Distribute the event cards separately.

Step 2. Forming the Timeline

• Participants collaborate to match the events with the correct dates.

• Once confident, they place the dates on the timeline and match them with the events.

• The group discusses and adjusts the placement as needed.

Step 3. Reflection Questions

• “When do you think the Jewish story begins?”
  - Does it start with Abraham? Creation? A key historical event?

• “Does Jewish history have an endpoint? What does that mean to you?”
  - Is there a natural conclusion? Is Jewish history still unfolding?

• “Do you see moments of persecution and moments of renewal? Which stand out?”
  - Does persecution ever end? What would an end to persecution look like?

• For older teens/adults: “What does this timeline say about Jewish resilience or responsibility today?”

Step 4. Open Discussion

• The facilitator encourages discussion, emphasizing that there are no definitive right or wrong answers.

• Participants share thoughts, feelings, and insights about the events placed on the timeline.

• The leader highlights patterns, resilience, and key themes that emerge from Jewish history.

Step 5. Closing Statement by the Leader

• “We may not have a clear answer about when this timeline truly begins or ends, but what matters is that we are engaging with it, learning from it, and understanding our role in continuing the story.”

• Emphasize that history is ongoing and that the Jewish people have always found ways to endure, evolve, and shape the future.

• Invite participants to add themselves to the timeline by writing their name, birth year, or family migration story on a sticky note. This makes the closing more personal and reinforces the message that “we are part of the story.”

Facilitator Tips

• Encourage critical thinking and discussion rather than just fact placement.

• Keep the conversation open-ended to allow students to explore different perspectives.

• If there is time, invite participants to add their own dates and events that they believe should be included.

• Homework assignments can be given to investigate a particular event and present a short report.

• Use modern references (e.g., Israel today, Jewish diaspora communities, current challenges) to connect history with present realities.

Optional Extensions

• Personal history integration: Ask participants to add a family story or event (e.g., a grandparent’s immigration, a Bar/Bat Mitzvah). This connects the broader Jewish story with their own narratives.