Redeeming Captives:
The Mitzvah of Pidyon Shevuyim

OUR ISRAELI MIA'S:

A Unit for Jewish Schools & Groups
prepared by Fred Greene
American Zionist Movement

PREFACE

This unit is geared for high school students and can be adapted for junior high school students. Suggested length: 2-3 sessions/3-4 hours total.

This unit is a guide for you to follow. The unit was developed to be easily adaptable to suit the needs of traditional day schools, afternoon religious schools, and youth groups. Take the suggestion and adapt them to your needs. For example, a youth group may choose to follow the suggested lesson plan, but may unable to use all of the texts provided; while a yeshiva class, instead of breaking up into groups, will remain in a formal classroom environment.

GOALS

* To impart to Jewish students a sense of responsibility for the four Israeli soldiers missing in action.

* To inspire the students to take an active role in their communities, religious and secular, on behalf of the Israeli MIA's.

* To generate enthusiasm amongst these youngsters, thus, contributing to their development as informed, concerned Jewish adults who will work actively in the Jewish and non-Jewish communities to promote peace and justice.

* To promote the development of the students' feeling of personal connection to Israel and its citizens.

OBJECTIVES

The students will:

• study and discuss the texts and concepts of Pidyon Shevuyim and Tikkun Olam.
• take action on behalf of the MIA's by writing to their U.S. or parliamentary representatives and raising public awareness.
• encourage peers and the synagigue community to join in the efforts of this campaign.

MATERIALS

• Monologues: 1) Miriam Baumel, 2) an Israeli soldier, and 3) a Jewish American high school student.
• Classical Texts relating to Pidyon Shevuyim and Tikkun Olam.
• Background information on Pidyon Shevuyim, prepared by Dr. Moshe Sokolow, WZO Torah Education Department.
• Israel's MIA's/Pidyon Shevuyim: Teacher's Background Information.
• AZM Action Fact Sheet
• Sections from "Redeeming Captives - Pidyon Shevuyim", Tzorchei Tzibur: Community and Responsibility. New York: United Synagogue Youth Department, 1986.
• "Repairing the World", The Book of Miracles: A Young Person's Guide to Jewish Spirituality. By Rabbi Lawrence Kushner. New York: UAHC Press. pp. 47-50
• Reprint of "AZM Launches Campaign to Work for Release of Israeli MIA's", San Diego Jewish Times, July 16, 1993.
• Paper, envelopes, stamps (try to have school contribute the postage), and pens - NOT included.

Optional materials not included:

• Your Jewish Lexicon by Edith Samuel (New York: UAHC Press 1982). Suggested chapters: Shalom, Justice, Loving-kindness, Remembering, To Do Justice.
• Video: Free Our Sons: The Families Speak. 7 min. Hadassah Audio / Visual Department, 50 West 58th Street, New York, NY 10019 (212) 355- 7900. Free.
• "Hatikvah: A Discussion Guide Exploring the Meaning of Hatikvah to American Jews", prepared by American Zionist Youth Foundation (AZYF) & World Zionist Organization (WZO) Department of Jewish Education and Culture. Distributed by American Zionist Movement.
• Postcards to Iranian and Syrian Government officials, buttons, army-style dog tags. (See AZM order form)
• Map of Middle East to illustrate which countries are allegedly involved.
• "Redeeming Captives/Pidyon Shvuyim", Jewish Literacy by Rabbi Joseph Telushkin. New York: William Morrow and Company. pp. 519-520
• "Ransoming of Captives", Encyclopaedia Judaica.
• "Shabbat Ne'edarei Zahal: Shabbat of Remembrance for the Israel MIA's". A Compilation of Materials for Prayer and Activism. Prepared by the Institute for Public Affairs and the Department of Synagogue Services, Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America, 333 Seventh Ave., New York, NY 10001 (212) 563-4000.
• Music Video: Free Ron Arad. Hebrew & English lyrics by Ehud Manor. Composed and sung by Boaz Sharabi. Arabic version by Naim Rejwan. Free Ron Arad, Campaign Head Office, 143 Brondesbury Park, London, NW2 5JL. Fax: 081/4598766.

TEXTS FOR FURTHER STUDY (suggestions for day schools)

• Additional primary-halakhic-sources can be found in "Shabbat Ne'edarei Zahal: A Compilation of Materials for Prayer and Activism", prepared by the Union of Orthodox Congregations of America. The sources which were selected by rabbi Dr. Jacob J. Schachter, include:
  Gittin 45a, 58a (+Tosafot: Kol Mammon)
  RAMBAM: Hilkhot Rotzeiach 7:8 (+ Or Sameiach, ad. loc.)
  Pitchei Teshuvah, Yoreh Deiah 252:4
  Responsa: Kenesset Yechezkel, no. 38
• Rabbi Yehuda Gershuni: "Pidyon Shevuyim le - Or ha-Halakhah", HaDarom 33 (1971), 27-37.
• Yisrael Melammed: "Pidyon Shevuyim Meiaz uveYameinu", Shanah BeShanah (1986), 241-246.
• Rav Avraham I. HaLevi Kilav: "Releasing Terrorists", Crossroads: Halacha and the Modern World. vol. 1 (Gush Etzion, 1987), 201-210.
• Additional essays on the halakhic and legal aspects of Pidyon Shevuyim can be located either in Otzar HaMishpat (vol. 2, p.198; entries #3225-3247), or in the Multi-Language Bibliography of Jewish Law (p.466; entries #23-26).