Jerusalem: Then and Now (Grades 6-8)
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Jerusalem: A Virtual Journey Through Time and Faith! 🕍⛪🕌
Why has Jerusalem been at the heart of history, religion, and culture for thousands of years? What makes this city holy to three of the world’s major religions—Judaism, Christianity, and Islam? How have its ancient streets, sacred sites, and towering walls witnessed some of the most pivotal events in human history? Now, your upper elementary students can take an extraordinary virtual field trip through this one-of-a-kind city, exploring its past, present, and lasting significance!
📽️ “Jerusalem: Then and Now” is a visually rich, curriculum-aligned educational video that transports students to the hills of Jerusalem, where the past meets the present. From the Western Wall and the Church of the Holy Sepulchre to the Dome of the Rock, students will experience the deep history, faith, and culture that define this remarkable city.
💡 What Your Students Will Learn:
✅ The historical and religious importance of Jerusalem to Judaism, Christianity, and Islam
✅ The story of Abraham, King David, and the founding of Jerusalem
✅ The significance of the Western Wall, the last remnant of the Second Temple
✅ The meaning behind the Dome of the Rock and the Night of Ascension in Islam
✅ The journey of Jesus through Jerusalem and the Church of the Holy Sepulchre
✅ The contrast between East and West Jerusalem, where ancient traditions meet modern life
✅ The four quarters of the Old City—Jewish, Christian, Muslim, and Armenian
✅ The holidays, traditions, and daily life of the people who live in Jerusalem today
🌟 Why Teachers Love This Video:
🕒 No-Prep, Standards-Aligned Content – A complete, engaging lesson ready to go!
🎥 Visually Captivating & Thought-Provoking – Keeps students engaged and curious.
🎯 Brings History, Geography & Religion to Life – Helps students develop a global perspective.
📚 Perfect for Social Studies, Geography & World Religion Lessons – Encourages critical thinking and cultural awareness.
Video length: 20:45 minutes.
Learning Resources with this Video*
Quizzes – PDF & Online
Religions of Jerusalem
Set in Jerusalem Writing Prompt
Draw a Scene
Universal Resources
National Standards
*Links are active on Full Video page.
Classroom Ideas
Jerusalem: Then and Now
Timeline of Jerusalem
Create a timeline showing the history of Jerusalem from ancient times to modern civilization.
Mapping
Have students print out a map of Jerusalem and identify where the sites in the video are located.
International Cuisine
Explore signature foods from Israel.
Local Festivals
Have students research Israeli festivals at the local, state, and national levels.
Religion in Jerusalem
Compare/contrast the history and central beliefs of the three major religions (Judaism, Christianity and Islam) in Jerusalem.
Music
Listen to music from Israel.
Art
Draw a scene from the video you just watched.
Creative Writing
Write a story with Jerusalem as the setting. The main character could be from another country (compare and contrast characters).
Classroom Ideas for ALL Videos
Here are dozens and dozens of ideas that you can use in your classroom along with our videos!
Topics Covered In This Video
Jerusalem – global location
Geography
Dome of the Rock
Abraham & monotheism
City of David
Temple Mount
Western Wall & Judaism
Gardens of Gethsemane
Church of the Holy Sepulchre
Mohammed
East Jerusalem – Old City
Citadel, Tower of David, & Rampart Walk
Jewish, Muslim, Christian, & Armenian Quarters
Via Dolorosa
Yemin Moshe
Mea Shearim
West Jerusalem
The Knesset
The Israel Museum
Yad Vashem
The many religious observances
Cuisine
Videos in this Series
Jerusalem: Then and Now (Grades K-5)
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