Between the 1940s and the 1970s, roughly 850,000 Jews left or were forced out of Arab countries and Iran, ending communities that had existed for more than 2,000 years. Most found refuge in Israel. Yet their story is rarely taught. This two session unit from Justice for Jews from Arab Countries, developed with The David Project and approved by the New York Board of Jewish Education, introduces students to the history of these communities, the causes of their flight, and the lives refugees rebuilt, using the documentary The Forgotten Refugees (2005), testimonies, maps, and population data.
Questions Students Explore
- Who are the Jews of the Middle East and North Africa, and how long did their communities exist?
- Why did so many Jews leave Arab countries and Iran after 1948?
- Why has this history been overlooked, and how can it be remembered?
What Students Do
- Watch excerpts of The Forgotten Refugees and complete an advance organizer.
- Analyze population charts and maps of Jewish flight from Arab countries.
- Gather the stories of Sephardi and Mizrahi Jews in their own families or communities.
At a Glance
Grade level: Grades 6 to 12; written for Jewish schools
Time: Two 50 minute sessions, plus optional activities
Source: Justice for Jews from Arab Countries and The David Project
About this resource
This unit was created by Justice for Jews from Arab Countries (JJAC) and The David Project as a pilot edition in 2007. It is not a JIMENA lesson. JIMENA recommends it alongside our own lesson, Forgotten Refugees: Jewish Refugees from Arab Lands. The full unit is free on JJAC’s website.
Downloads
- Introduction Introduction and table of contents (PDF, JJAC)
- Part 1 Teacher’s Guide with lesson plans for Sessions I and II (PDF, JJAC)
- Part 2 Educational materials for Sessions I and II (PDF, JJAC)
- Part 3 Registration and research activity (PDF, JJAC)
- Part 4 Resource and reference materials (PDF, JJAC)
View the full unit on Justice for Jews from Arab Countries Opens on justiceforjews.com
