Studies in the History of Zionism

The Military Struggle to Establish a Jewish State: Suggested Educational Activities

Supplementary Material:
Text book "Reshit HaTzionut", Ch.13, pp. 169-174, Ch.14, pp.180-184;
Encyclopedia Judaica;
Judaica Pocket Library.

Cooperation between Underground Organizations -- A Simulation Game

The activity is designed to cover the first two sections of the background material, as preparation for the later sections (The Underground Organizations after the War -- The United Jewish Resistance Movement). It should follow the unit on the immigrant ships.

Synopsis:

Using the materials and appendices, the 3 defense organizations debate whether to unite. Arguments are presented and reviewed; the last sections of the materials are introduced and reviewed.

Materials to Prepare:

Copies of appendices 2-4 for the groups.
Copies of the information about each movement for everyone.
Candles and blackouts for the windows.
Message "flashes". [seetext below, appendix 5, for when groups send 1-2 representatives to sit in on the discussions of other groups.]

Program Outline:

1. The group is divided into three sub-groups. One group represents the Haganah; the second group represents the Etzel; and the third group represents the Lehi.

Groups are given time to read the information about their own movement. Participants in each sub-group should summarize their movement's mission statement in a few lines and nominate a first representative to present them to the entire forum. If time permits, it would be effective to present them on sandwich boards or on a wall poster.

2. Present the mission statements.
Review the information contained in the second section of this unit.

3. Groups now read the information about the other movements and should summarize the basic differences between the others and their own movement in a few lines.

4. The moderator calls the meeting to order and proclaims that representatives of the three organizations have been summoned to a secret meeting in order to discuss a proposal of the the Haganah national command to unify the underground organizations (see Appendices 2, 3, 4).

The group hurriedly prepares the secret meeting location with candles and blackouts.

5. The moderator, as a representative of the Haganah National Command, reads the proposal, and sends each organization to discuss it separately and return with their decision after 20 minutes.

6. Each group reads their own appendix and discusses the proposal: they need to define their stand on the issue both in principle and at this time of crisis. This should be recorded on a chart.

7. As the simulation continues, there is always the chance that participants may get locked into one position or not come to grips with some of the issues. In order to assist them in raising new ideas, there is a possibility of adding interaction dynamics.

About 5 minutes into the simulation, the moderator calls out "message" and hands out the first flash to each group. If your groups have over 7 participants, each group should choose 2 shlichim [envoys] to exchange with other groups.

Repeat about 7 minutes later. Allow the simulation to proceed for another 7-10 minutes and call everyone together.

8. Presentation: each group presents its findings and another delegate records the decisions taken during the game on a large wall chart.

9. Review: each group is asked to step out of role and think objectively about how they or any of the other groups approached the issues involved, including what their limitations were and their attitude to the use of violence as a means to an end.

10. The moderator introduces a summary of the final sections of the background material in this unit, reminding participants of the unit on immigrant ships, in order to create a broader context.

Questions for review:

• What was/were the fundamental reasons for the existence of these movements?
• What was the immediate cause of their operations against the British?
• Were some or all of these underground movements operating constructively, with hindsight?
• Which were the most effective clandestine operations in the field and in terms of generating a change in British policy?
• What were the different limits set by the organizations on their operations?
• What other issues would we raise today in our evaluation of the struggle of these movements to change British immigration policy?

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