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Mindfulness and the Brain

People who practice meditation and mindfulness have long reported health benefits, from lower blood pressure to reduced anxiety. New research released this week shows that such practices can actually change your brain. "To meditate mindfully demands 'an open and receptive, nonjudgmental awareness of your present-moment experience,'"says J. David Creswell, who led the study and is an associate professor of psychology and the director of the Health and Human Performance Laboratory at Carnegie Mellon University in this week's announcement.

How to Host an Inclusive Passover Seder

Jewish Disability Awareness and Inclusion Month (JDAIM)may be coming to an end, but with help from Gateways: Access to Jewish Education, we can continue our inclusive mindset through the year.  Last year we introduced The Gateways Haggadah: A Seder for the Whole Family, which offers something truly amazing - a place for all at the Passover table. 

Hot Topics: Is the Final Four Fair?

The latest Hot Topics wants to know, should the NCAA pay its athletes? While the NCAA and TV networks make billions off of the Final Four college basketball tournament, the players themselves do not make any money for their efforts. In this lesson, students learn about the Jewish view on employment rights, and negotiate and draw up contracts for college basketball players based on these rights. 

Save on Your Passover Haggadot Today!

It's time for the annual Haggadah sale at Behrman House!  Starting February 24, and continuing through March 30th, take an extra five percent off on Passover haggadot, on top of your regular discounts, and get free shipping* on orders of 50 books or more! You can mix and match any of the titles below to get to 50 books.  Haggadah Sale Titles Include:

Crazy Weather Got You Anxious? Try Coloring!

Adult coloring books are all the rage these days, and for many reasons.  Coloring for adults offers mental benefits. In 2005, research proved that anxiety levels dropped when subjects colored mandalas.  We took this into consideration when we published Shalom Coloring: Jewish Designs for Contemplation and Calm in 2015. 

Everyone is Welcome

How can we welcome all children, regardless of their physical, emotional, or intellectual challenges, into our classrooms and the community of their peers? This question often tears at the hearts of professionals and leaders of the Jewish communities. Building an inclusive program in your school doesn't need to be overwhelming. With help from Everyone is Welcome, previously published by URJ Press, authors Rabbi Steven Rau and Stacey Levy offer a proven and accessible approach to creating a culture of inclusion in your community. 

The Healing Power of Music

Music holds a special power. Just ask Rabbi Ron Isaacs.  Apples & Honey author and rabbi emeritus of Temple Sholom in Bridgewater, New Jersey, works part-time as music therapist for patients receiving palliative care.  "I play my guitar, I sing for (and sometimes with) them, I encourage them to keep the beat with rhythm instruments, to make any special requests, even to talk about memories that the songs evoke," Isaacs explains. 

Your First 2016 Golem Package is Shipping Soon!

It's almost time! The first Golem package is scheduled to ship the first week of March. This Golem package features a new Passover title from Apples & Honey Press, two student journals, new cross-platform Hebrew curriculums, and a new approach to the popular Hineni series. 

What Can We Learn Through Song?

Music plays a regular part in our worlds, from the radio playing during our commutes and music sessions during Shabbat to prayers in school and songs at summer camp. How are the songs we are exposed to in our daily lives shaping us and our values?

Where Do You Go for Your Resources?

We believe that real teachers create the most relevant and engaging educational resources.  That's why we've reorganized Babaganewz as an open marketplace for Jewish educators to find, share, and even sell original, teacher-created resources. The Babaganewz open marketplace model promotes resource quality, quantity, and availability. 

What Would You Ask Miriam?

From the courage of the midwives as they save the Israelite babies to Moses standing up for justice to Miriam's thankfulness at the Sea of Reeds, students can learn something new about how to apply Jewish values to their own everyday challenges. 

Join Kayla and Kugel's Almost-Perfect Passover Seder!

The adorable duo of Kayla and Kugel from the Apples & Honey Fall 2015 list are back to celebrate Passover.  In Kayla and Kugel's Almost-Perfect Passover, join Kayla and her lovable dog, Kugel, as they prepare for their Passover seder with family. 

The Power of Inclusion

February is Jewish Disability Awareness and Inclusion Month (JDAIM). How can we collaborate to raise awareness and encourage inclusion of people with disabilities and the people who love them? You can make a difference in your Jewish organization!

Meet the 79-Year-Old World-Class Race Walker and Israeli Olympian

Most people wouldn't consider competing in any long-distance race walking at age 79, much less at a world-class level. But for Dr. Shaul Ladany, race walking has been a way of life. He practices for several hours every day and continues to compete in 35 events a year. 

Harness the Power of Music and Prayer with Hebrew in Harmony

Long used to beautify the words and act of prayer, music creates a safe and welcoming environment rich with opportunities for learning.  Rooted in music, Hebrew in Harmony encourages students to create meaning from personal prayer and make emotional connections through communal prayer. The flowing words help students learn Hebrew through the music. 

Committed to Inclusion

A recent article in eJewish Philanthropy described how many Jewish youth of color feel disconnected from the community and have experienced prejudice within our ranks, most notably at synagogue services.

New Student Journal Connects Students with Jewish Values and Food

Easily engage students in Jewish values and one of their favorite topics - food - with the new Min Ha'aretz student journal.  Our relationship to the foods we eat has been a concern of Judaism from our earliest writings. Using classic texts as a starting point, Min Ha'aretz guides students through myriad food-related issues and dilemmas of our time. 

Teacher Tip: Recording with Hineni OLC Edition

Last summer we brought Hineni to life in the Online Learning Center. To ensure students are getting the most out of their Hebrew practice, we have put together a couple tips for success. 

Hot Topics: Dealing with Iran

Iran has earned its reputation as a terrorist state and enemy of the West. How should the international community deal with Iran? U.S. President Barack Obama and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu don't see eye to eye about the international community should deal with Iran's nuclear program. In the latest Hot Topics, students will learn about the history of relations between Iran and the West and apply the Torah's models of conflict resolution to the current political situation. 

Engage Students on Current Issues with Hot Topics

Getting teens to engage in school lessons can be tough. Thankfully, we have a resource to help.  Our Hot Topics series helps students discuss today's thorniest issues and provide opportunities for teens to develop personal responses to them.  This week, with NFL playoffs winding down and the 50th Super Bowl approaching, we feature Hot Topics: Making Football Safer. 

Teach Israel

 Experience Modern Israel

New from Behrman House. Fly to Israel without a plane ticket.

Discover Israel

 Let's Discover Israel

Offer younger children an exciting and age-appropriate introduction to the Jewish homeland