Israel in 600 Words or Less with Etgar Keret 

Camp Kadimah

Overnight

Peter Svilik

Michael Soberman (sobermaneducationalconsulting@gmail.com)

The text-reading program for older campers and staff delves into the complexity of the human condition in Israel. The program is based on Etgar Keret’s October 31, 2023 blog entry, “Israel in 600 words or Less”. By grounding the vast conflict in individual human stories, campers understand that there is no single monolithic narrative.

Etgar Keret, storytelling, complexity, empathy

Multiple Narratives

Participants will:

• Move beyond simplistic, binary understandings of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict through reading a personal, self-reflective piece by a well-known Israeli author.
• Gain a more mature, resilient, and personal connection to Israel
• Cultivate skills of empathy, critical thinking, intellectual humility
• Grapple with multiple, conflicting truths (Holocaust survivor trauma, Palestinian daily humiliation, and Israeli grief from terrorism)
• Move from either/or thinking to a more nuanced both/and perspective
• Feel empowered not to win an argument, but to listen thoughtfully and hold complexity. This fosters a connection to Israel that is strong enough to acknowledge its pains and contradictions, making it more meaningful and durable.

13-18 year old campers and 18-23 year old staff

Groups of 6 participants

Etgar Keret text: One per participant (at end of write up)


Brief bio of Etgar Keret

Program leader 
1 facilitator for each group of 6

Space where participants can divide up into groups of six


Quiet or not distracting space

For small groups

• Introduction 5 minutes
• Small group conversations 35 minutes
• Debrief of small groups and wrap up 20 minutes

Introduction – 5 minutes

This program is about listening and gaining insight into perspectives different from our own. We will be using a text by the Israeli author Etgar Keret as a springboard to explore current issues.

Small group conversations – 35 minutes

Distribute the text. Ask participants to go around and read it aloud, stopping for any clarifications.

Questions for discussion:

• What, if anything, would you like clarified (something you didn’t quite understand)?
• Keret references a text from 25+ years ago. In what ways is this piece still relevant and on point today?
• Why did Keret choose to re-release this piece when he did?
• What is the message he seeks to convey?
• What is the common thread among the three “stories”?

Note: Take note of Israeli campers and staff and give them space to share their perspectives and answer questions.

Debrief and wrap up – 20 minutes

Bring groups back together. Ask participants to share:

• What surprised you?
• What became clearer for you?
• What became more confusing or unclear?
• What questions does this leave you with?

Ask participants to take a minute to come up with a 6-word phrase or sentence that reflects their thinking at the moment. For example, “I have more questions now.”

Wrap up: The goal of this program was to open up for you the idea that multiple truths and realities can exist simultaneously. It’s not always clear who is right and who is wrong – we can be both at the same time. We call this “both/and” thinking (as opposed to “either/or” thinking). We hope that as you continue to learn and talk about Israel, you will lead with questions and curiosity, a drive for understanding not for being “right.”

Download: Israel in 600 words or Less with Etgar Keret - PDF