MAKING A DIFFERENCE
Putting Jewish Spirituality into Action, One Mitzvah at a Time
By Bradley Shavit Artson and Gila Gevirtz

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Inspire your teens with an action-based view of the Jewish spiritual tradition! Based on the best selling book It's a Mitzvah! by Rabbi Bradley Shavit Artson, Making a Difference presents both ethical and ritual mitzvot, such as Rodef Shalom, Tzedakah, Kashrut, and Tefillah, as well as practical and creative suggestions on how to observe them. Students study the wisdom of Jewish sacred texts and examine through a Jewish lens who they are, the kind of adults they want to become, and how the mitzvot can help them achieve their goals. Each chapter presents a mitzvah and includes the following writing activities: Self-Portrait (exploring the mitzvah in personal terms) You Don't Say! (finding meaning in the wisdom of ancient and modern sages) It's a Dilemma! (responses to real-life situations) Mitzvah Journal (a record of each teen's experience of observing the mitzvah) In addition, the book presents the stories of Jewish teens who have made a difference in their communities through mitzvah projects, such as spending a month teaching in Cuba's Jewish community and creating a mural in a children's hospital. The book uses the same dynamic graphics and layout that teens respond to in popular magazines and on websites. More than 130 photographs illustrate and enrich the text. Contents: Getting Connected Taking Action Tzedakah: Giving Justly Rodef Shalom: Peacemaking Shabbat: An Extraordinary Day Ahavat Tziyon: For the Love of Israel Bal Tashhit: Every Day Is Earth Day Title-at-a-Glance Making a Difference Grades 7-9 144 pages 8" x 11" 188 photographs Includes activities       Also take a look at.... Jewish Heroes, Jewish Values It's a Mitzvah! (Grades 8-9) How Do I Decide? Kashrut: You Are What You Eat Sh'mirat Habriyut: Be Your Best Friend Bikkur Holim: Reach Out and Touch Someone Kibbud Av Va'em: The Most Difficult Mitzvah? Sh'mirat Halashon: Weigh Your Words Tefillah: An Open Line Talmud Torah: Learning Matters Going Forward Resources "We love Making a Difference. It’s everything the rabbi wanted to teach, all in one book. The kids are enjoying it because the rabbi is enjoying it. It helps the children truly understand what it means to become a bar or bat mitzvah. It’s the best mitzvah book we have found." - Marci Goldberg Director of Education Adat Elohim Thousand Oaks, CA Teacher's Edition