The Haskalah Movement

Are there situations when it is important to remain true to oneself while also trying to be accepted or fit into a group? Through engaging activities such as the jigsaw technique learners dive into the history of the Haskalah movement and discuss the realities of antisemitism in the past and today.

All you need to end antisemitism is reason, equality and tolerance.  At least that’s what a group of Jews in 19th century Europe believed. This movement, led by Moses Mendelssohn, is known as the “haskalah”; the European Jewish enlightenment. The “maskilim” believed that when Jews integrated socially, culturally and economically into non-Jewish society, they would gain acceptance, and this in turn would bring an end to anti-Semitism. To what extent did the enlightenment movement succeed? What were the positive and negative aspects of this movement?   In this resource, learners will explore the complexities and tensions that arise when trying to balance remaining  true to one’s core identity while also trying to be accepted and fit into a group. Through engaging learning experiences such as the jigsaw technique, students will dive into the history of the Haskalah movement, confront their own “multiple identities”, and discuss the realities of anti-Semitism past and present .