CURRICULUM
Looking for a way to empower Jewish students to engage in Tzedakah?
Then check out Tzedakah in Action.
The Tzedakah in Action teacher’s guide and curriculum
is written by author Aaron Dorfman. It is based on the Temple Isaiah Seventh Grade
Fund, the Jewish youth foundation of Temple Isaiah in Lafayette, California.
San Francisco State University (SFSU), in partnership with the
Bureau of Jewish Education and the Spark Center for Jewish Learning at Jewish Funds
for Justice, is offering an innovative certificate program in Jewish Service Learning—the
first university program in Jewish service learning in the country.
“Jewish service learning is a modern application of the ancient
tradition of giving back to the community,” says Marc Dollinger, professor of Jewish
Studies and Social Responsibility at SFSU. “It [linking hands-on service with Jewish
academic study, critical reflection, and opportunities to impact social change]
is empowering because it reaches across all sorts of boundaries that typically divide
the Jewish community.” To find out more about the nation’s first university-level
Jewish Service Learning Certificate training program, email Professor Dollinger
at mdolling@sfsu.edu.
In August 2007, PANIM will host the first ever National Educators’
Institute for Jewish Service-Learning. Jewish professionals from across the country
will gather on the College Park campus of the University of Maryland for a five-day
training designed to prepare them to create and teach Jewish service-learning programs
in their communities.
Participants will hear from leaders in the fields of service-learning,
Jewish education, and civic engagement; discover how to make Jewish values come
alive through service; and learn how Judaism can inspire deep engagement with social
problems around the world.
Produced by the Religious
Action Center of Reform Judaism
Families, social action chairs, educators, youth group and other
synagogue leaders will find many projects that join together the themes of Sukkot
with social action in this wonderful guide produced by the RAC.
The Union of Reform Judaism’s (URJ) Commission on Social Action
has an excellent new guide for social action programming around Hanukkah. We hope
you find it helpful!
MyJewishLearning.com is a trans-denominational website of Jewish
information and education geared toward learners of all ages and educational backgrounds.
By DANNY SIEGEL
BabagaNewz Magazine
This study guide for Danny Siegel’s book proposes classroom discussions,
service projects, and writing activities to teach Jewish social action.
BabagaNewz Magazine
This study guide for Barbara Cohen’s book, about the man who
broke the color line in baseball, proposes classroom discussions, writing activities,
and projects.
BabagaNewz Magazine
According to Maimonides, some forms of tzedakah (philanthropy)
are better than others. The lowest rung on the ladder of tzedakah is giving
begrudgingly and embarrassing the recipient. The highest is giving or loaning money
to help the recipient become self-reliant. Here are ways to drive the lesson home.
Temple Beth Elohim
Temple Beth Elohim of Wellesley, Massachusetts, has program guides
(Grade
6, Grade
7) as part of its B’nai Mitzvah Magical Mystery Tour.
The JECC’s Curriculum Resources Department has a variety of materials
to offer teachers.
Reviewed by REBECCA E. KOTKIN
More than a testimonial to incredible kids, this book is a how-to
manual for young social activists, from identifying problems, right down to lobbying
etiquette.
By JONATHAN SPIRA-SAVETT
Isaiah’s words, speaking for God, are part of the Yom Kippur
service: “This is the fast I desire: To unlock the fetters of wickedness, and to
share your bread with the hungry.” In response, a man stands and calls out: “We
can’t continue this service while people are oppressed and hungry.”
By RABBI DAVID ROSENN
A person reciting the Amidah prayer should not interrupt
it “even if a King greeted him, or even if a snake wound around his ankle.” What
if you were praying the Amidah, and a person asked
you for change?
Report on Existing Tzedakah and Gemilut Hasadim Curricula
Prepared for the Solomon Schechter Day School of Greater Boston
By ROBIN KAHN
This project identifies existing teaching materials related to
tzedakah and gemilut hasadim; explores service-learning and its relationship
to teaching tzedakah and gemilut hasadim; helps Jewish educators identify
curricula and other resources that address tzedakah, gemilut hasadim and
related topics; and helps establish a library of materials related to tzedakah
and gemilut hasadim appropriate for use in a Conservative Jewish day school.
