Jewish Studies Collaboration Project

יונה

Jonah’s Second Chance

A group movie about the man who ran from God’s command, and the God who asked him again.

Grade 11TanakhSefer Yonah, the Book of Jonah

Learning goal

Why did Jonah run, and why did God ask again?

You will learn how Jonah fled God’s command and how God still gave him another chance.

Responsibility

What does Jonah owe to the mission he was given?

Forgiveness

What does it mean that the command comes a second time?

Jonah’s choices

What is behind each decision he makes, and what does it cost him?

The assignment

Make a short movie of the story

3

students per group

1 week

to plan, film and edit

3–5 min

final movie, shown to the class

Use simple costumes, props and different locations. A phone or camera and any editing software are fine. Your sources are the Book of Jonah in the Tanakh and your class notes.

The movie must include

Three moments from the text

Scene 1 · Yafo

Jonah runs away

God tells Jonah to go to Nineveh. He heads for Tarshish instead, going down to Yafo to board a ship.

Yonah 1:1–3

Scene 2 · The sea

Swallowed by the big fish

God appoints a great fish to swallow Jonah. He is inside it three days and three nights.

Yonah 2:1

Scene 3 · Nineveh road

Given another chance

The word of God comes to Jonah a second time, and he is sent again.

Yonah 3:1–2

Every event has to follow the Tanakh and your class notes. Check each scene against the text before you film it.

What you can use

Simple is fine. A phone and a bedsheet will do.

Phone or cameraFilm every scene. Hold it steady or prop it on books.

CostumesA robe from a sheet or a long shirt, a scarf, a sash.

PropsA cardboard boat, a paper fish, blue cloth for waves.

LocationsA pier, the school yard, a hallway, a path, a pool.

Editing softwareCut the clips, add titles, music and sound. Keep it 3 to 5 minutes.

Sources to check as you plan: the Book of Jonah and your class notes.

What you can do

Plan one shot for each scene

Scene 1 · Wide shotJonah walks away from the camera toward the boat. Film from behind.

Scene 2 · Dim close-upLights low, blue cloth around Jonah, a flashlight on his face.

Scene 3 · Low sunJonah stands on a path at sunrise. Film into the light and let it glow.

These are ideas to start from. Your group decides the real shots when you write the script together.

Working as a group

The movie only works if everyone plans it

Everyone plans together. All three discuss the story, choose the scenes and write the script before anyone films.
Roles are yours to choose. Acting, filming and editing. Pick what suits each person.
You talk in class. Share ideas out loud. The teacher watches how the group works.

If you disagree

Listen first. Hear every opinion before anyone argues back.
Then vote. With three people, two votes decide.

2 of 3 settles it

Individual component

After the movie, write your own reflection

Written on your own. It shows what you understood and whether you did your fair share.

What I learnedAbout Jonah and his second chance.

What I didMy own part in making the movie.

How I helpedWhat I did for the group beyond my own task.

What I learnedAbout working with other people.

Assessment · 100 marks

Teamwork is worth the most

Teamwork and communication

35

Understanding Jonah

25

Movie quality and creativity

20

Individual contribution

15

Individual reflection

5

Group, 80 marks. The teacher marks the final movie and watches you work in class.Individual, 20 marks. You explain your own work so everyone is marked fairly.

Rubric · Group, 80 marks

What the group is marked on

Criteria	Excellent	Satisfactory	Poor
Teamwork and communication35 marks	Everyone shares ideas, listens respectfully, plans together and helps solve problems.	Most members work together, but some participate or communicate less.	There is little communication, and one person does most of the work.
Understanding Jonah25 marks	The movie accurately shows key events and clearly demonstrates the lesson of Jonah’s second chance.	The movie shows the main events but misses some details or explanations.	The movie has major mistakes or shows little understanding.
Movie quality and creativity20 marks	Organized, creative, easy to follow, and 3 to 5 minutes long.	Understandable, but could be more organized or creative.	Incomplete, confusing, or does not follow instructions.

Rubric · Individual, 20 marks

What each of you is marked on

Criteria	Excellent	Satisfactory	Poor
Individual contribution15 marks	Fully completes their role and helps the group beyond their own task.	Completes some work but contributes less than others.	Contributes little or does not complete their responsibilities.
Individual reflection5 marks	Clearly explains learning, contribution and teamwork.	Answers the questions but with little detail.	Incomplete, or does not explain the student’s learning.

Before the camera rolls

Agree on the story, the scenes and the script. Then film.

Jonah ran, and he was asked again. Your group gets one week to show it.

FledSwallowedSent again