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Tuesdays with Adam

Adam teaches the elderly how to use all of the newest technology, and was surprised at how much he learns in return. Studying inventions and other changes of the last 70 years will help your class understand how younger people can help the elderly by teaching them, and will help them honor and cherish previous generations. $0.00$0.00When Earl Gibbs was growing up in the 1930s, a mouse was a rodent, a web was a spider's home, and windows were holes in a wall. But for 17-year-old Adam Singer, a mouse, the Web, and Windows are all entries into the world of computers- important tools that he's introduced to Earl and more than 40 other senior citizens at the ONEgeneration senior center in Reseda, California. "Blessed is the generation in which the old listen to the young. And doubly blessed is the generation in which the young listen to the old." Talmud, Rosh Hashanah 25b Lesson Summary:  Students will create a technology timeline to learn how much the world has changed during the lives of the elderly. They will consider ways to help the elderly by teaching the elderly skills that the younger people take for granted. Printable Lesson:  4402lesson.pdf Additional PDFs:  Source Sheet

A Helping Hand at Any Age

Read about how different generations come together to help those in need of medical aid.  Then, bring generations together to discuss how youth and elderly view each other.  The lesson plan, designed for a class to learn together with a group of seniors, can be adapted for use with the class alone. $0.00$0.00  The woman glances frantically around the supply room, her eyes darting from shelf to shelf like a frenzied bumblebee hunting for the last drop of pollen in late autumn. By her side, stands her daughter, silent, unassuming, and frightened. They've hurried to the Jerusalem headquarters of Yad Sarah- the largest lender of free medical supplies in the world- to borrow a tank of oxygen, which the girl needs to breathe. Lesson Summary:  This lesson is designed to be used with both feature articles, which address the value of seniors and young people’s interacting with each other. Seniors are invited to the classroom for this lesson to participate in drama activities and Jewish text study with the students. Students will discover ways to help the elderly and to learn from them. Printable Lesson:  4408lesson.pdf Additional PDFs:  Source Sheet Organization Chart Additional Resources:  Lyrics to "Bookends": http://www.paulsimon.com Yad Sarah: http://www.yadsarah.org.il/English Newsletter on Intergenerational Service-Learning http://www.crf-usa.org/network/net8_4.htm

Reality Teen Views: What Teens and Seniors Really Think About Each Other

Teens and seniors get to know each other and talk about real life issues that affect them all.  In an intergenerational lesson, students first consider their stereoty[esabout the elderly, then have a chance to interact with them and clear up some of the misconceptions.  $0.00$0.00  With reality shows popping up on every TV network, BABAGANEWZ decided to produce its own reality experiment. The seniors and teens had never met before. How would they react when placed in a small room where they would be forced to confront each other- sharing their deepest hopes and fears as well as their misconceptions about each other? Would the teens vote off the seniors, or would they present them with a red rose of approval? First, let's meet the teens, and find out their initial impressions about the elderly: "Thirteen years is the age for the performance of mitzvot...Fifty years is the age for giving advice. Sixty years is old age...Eighty years is the age of special strength." Pirkei Avot 5:24 Lesson Summary:  This lesson is designed to be used with both feature articles, which address the value of seniors and young people’s interacting with each other. Seniors are invited to the classroom for this lesson to participate in drama activities and Jewish text study with the students. Students will discover ways to help the elderly and to learn from them. Printable Lesson:  4408lesson.pdf Additional PDFs:  Organization Sheet Source Sheet Additional Resources:  Lyrics to "Bookends": http://www.paulsimon.com Yad Sarah: http://www.yadsarah.org.il/English Newsletter on Intergenerational Service-Learning http://www.crf-usa.org/network/net8_4.htm

Prism

Prisms refract light, scattering it into the beauty of a rainbow. Similarly, observing mitzvot and setting ourselves apart thtough positive actions refracts God's holiness and spreads kedushah. Students can draw up a kedushah contract of positive behaviors that will foster kedushah in the classroom. $0.00$0.00Ready, Set, Glow *Some mushrooms glow in the dark! These "bioluminescent" mushrooms can be found in tropical rainforests. Their glow is caused by a chemical reaction. *Light can travel from the sun to Earth in approximately 8 minutes. Traveling that distance by car (at 60 miles per hour) would take 177 years! *In South America, some people carry fireflies in net bags to help them find their way in the dark! Let There Be Light! "A mitzvah is a lamp, and the Torah is the light." proverbs 6:23 Lesson Summary:  The teacher creates a rainbow in the class and students explore the metaphor of the prism to deepen their understanding of kedushah. Printable Lesson:  3407lesson.pdf Additional PDFs:  Source Sheet Blessing when seeing a rainbow after a storm Additional Resources:  An artist who creates rainbows to promote world peace: http://www.rainbowmaker.us/homeframe.htm More about how rainbows are created: http://science.howstuffworks.com/question41.htm Sample of a kedushah contract for a classroom: http://www.beth-elsa.org/be_Kedushah.htm

Jennifer Recant: To Cuba With Love

Read about how one girl pays the gift of her Bat Mitzvah forward. Then work with your students on planning tikun olam projects in your community. $0.00$0.00  "They shall teach my people the difference between holy and unholy, and cause them to discern between pure and impure." Ezekiel 44:23 Lesson Summary:  Students will examine how meeting the challenge to help other Jews creates a sense of purpose and holiness. Students will begin planning tikun olam projects. Printable Lesson:  3402lesson.pdf Additional PDFs:  Source Sheet Additional Resources:  Charity organizations: http://www.charitablechoices.org http://www.just-tzedakah.org Food donation: http://www.uja.org http://www.mazon.org Volunteerism: http://www.pointsoflight.org

Tunnels and Chambers

In this article, students join a virtual tour to search for oil in the Beit Hamikdash, the Holy Temple. In the accompanying lesson, students will explore the concept of kedushat makom, sanctity of place, to understand what makes a place holy. By embarking on a kedushah treasure hunt in your school or synagogue, your students will apply their definitions of holy space to their immediate surroundings. $0.00$0.00A critical reminder: Although your experiences in the tunnel feel real, keep reminding yourself that you're inside a video game, exploring a model of the Beit Hamikdash (the Holy Temple) in Jerusalem, the holiest site for Jews. "There are ten degrees of holiness: The land of Israel is holier than any other land...The walled cities of the Land of Israel are still more holy...Within the wall [of Jerusalem]...the Sanctuary is still more holy..." Mishnah, Kelim 1:6-9 Lesson Summary:  Students will explore the concept of kedushat makom, sanctity of place, to understand what makes a place holy. By embarking on a kedushah treasure hunt in the school or synagogue, students will apply their definitions of holy space to their immediate surroundings. This lesson is especially well-suited for a family education activity. Printable Lesson:  3408lesson.pdf Additional PDFs:  Source Sheet Kedushah Treasure Hunt Worksheet Kedushah Treasure Hunt Scoring Mishnah Text Mah Tovu in Hebrew and English Mah Tovu in Hebrew and English with Highlighted Points for Teachers Additional Source for Students Additional Source for Teachers Additional Resources:  Virtual panoramic tours of the Beit Hamikdash (note that a wealth of historical and archaeological information is included on other parts of this site): http://www.archpark.org.il/panorama.shtml A 3-D tour of the vessels used in the Beit Hamikdash: http://www.yucs.org/~rweiser/mik.html

Inside the Pentagon with Dov Zakheim

In the interview with Dov Zakheim,  the former Under Secretary of Defense for the United Statesexplains about his position and how despite the numerous responsibilities and demands of hisjob, he is a committed and observant Jew who always makes time for Judaism in his life. Inthis lesson, students will conduct holiness interviews as a means of exploring the concept of sacred time. $0.00$0.00  It covers 29 acres, has 17.5 miles of corridors, and is the workplace of more than 23,000 employees- each working to defend the United States. The Pentagon- a massive five-sided building located near Washington, D.C.- houses the U.S. Department of Defense, including the office of Under Secretary of Defense Dov Zakheim, the man responsible for operating the military's $380 billion annual budget. "Now then if you will obey Me faithfully and keep My covenant, you shall be My own treasure from among all peoples, for all the earth is Mine. You shall be to me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation." Shemot 19:5-6 Lesson Summary:  In this lesson, students will conduct holiness interviews as a means of exploring the concept of kedushat zman, sacred time. Printable Lesson:  3404lesson.pdf Additional PDFs:  Source Sheet Holiness Questionnaire for Peer Interviews

Web Filters and the First Amendment

Read about a debate about limiting Internet access in public libraries with your students. The article focuses on censorship of indecent material. The lesson can be used to help your students consider the broader issue of Internet censorship. Jewish values present a lens through which to examine such conflicts. In this lesson, students will complete a visual organizer to help sort out the various sides of the issue and the relevant Jewish ideas. $0.00$0.00Two years ago, Congress passed a controversial law to protect you from inappropriate material on the Internet. Known as the Children's Internet Protection Act (CIPA), the legislation requires public libraries to install content filters on their computers. Although Internet filters are programmed to block indecent materials only, critics of CIPA complain that Web filters amount to government censorship, violating the First Amendment, which guarantees the freedom of speech. THE GREAT EQUALIZER Lesson Summary:  In this lesson, students will complete a visual organizer to help sort out the various sides of the issue and the relevant Jewish ideas. Printable Lesson:  3401lesson.pdf Additional PDFs:  Visual Organizer Jewish Values List

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Talk  about holiness with your students using this text and lesson plan..Through discussion of a hypothetical situation and text study your students will think about difficult choices one may encounter in life. $0.00$0.00To be holy means that you follow in God's footsteps. You have to be the best you can be. You have to go above your standard self. Miriam Cleeman, 5th grade God commanded the Jews to be holy, for holiness implies distinction. God wished for the Jewish people to stand out from other peoples, even if they were looked upon as different. It is this holiness, this acceptance of being different, that makes one Jewish. Sam Roth, 7th grade To be holy, you have to give a lot more thought to how you live and how you act toward others. Lesson Summary:  Students will discuss a hypothetical situation about cheating and apply the commentaries of Rashi and Nahmanides to Vayikra 19:2 to help them figure out how one makes difficult choices. They will also consider what it means to be kadosh, holy, because God is kadosh. Printable Lesson:  3403lesson.pdf Additional PDFs:  Source Sheet Lyrics to Mah Tovu's "You Shall Be Holy" Additional Resources:  "You Shall Be Holy" on Turn It by Mah Tovu, music and original lyrics based on Vayikra 19 by Josh Zweiback © 1991. Divrei Torah about holiness: http://www.jewishaz.com/jewishnews/000505/torah.shtml http://roshhashanah.torah.org/learning/hamaayan/5759/achareimos.html

Light Up Your Nights

Enjoy a candle making activity with your students. After creating the candles, students will explore Jewish texts tohelp them consider the significance of candles in conveying kedushah in various Jewish practices. Appropriate for use before a shabbaton or family shabbat event or at camp. $0.00$0.00Chandler is the funny, sarcastic guy on the TV sitcom "Friends," but did you know that his name means "candle maker"? Jacob Rodriguez Rivera (1717-1789) certainly was not a famous TV star, but he was the most famous chandler in American Jewish history. He used sperm-whale oil to make candles that were firmer than tallow candles and therefore less likely to melt in the summer. "When the...Hasmoneans were victorious, they searched and found only one jug of oil....enough to burn of one day. But a miracle happened and the oil lasted for eight days. Talmud, Shabbat 21b Lesson Summary:  Students explore Jewish texts to help them consider the significance of candles in conveying kedushah. Printable Lesson:  3409lesson.pdf Additional PDFs:  Source Sheet Hanukkah Candle Blessings Additional Resources:  Additional Activities How to make Hanukkah candles for kids Make Real Candles

Rick Recht Rocks!

Read how Rick Recht uses ancient Jewish words and messages to create a modern musical sound. In the accompanying lesson, students will explore how Jewish music combines important words and shared experiences to create a special sense of community.  $0.00$0.00  Wearing a baseball cap backwards over his shoulder-length hair, lead singer Rick Recht leans into his microphone. Sweat trickles down his forehead, as he belts out the Hebrew phrase od yavo shalom (peace will come someday). Moved by the contagious rhythm, audience members jump to their feet and echo the Hebrew refrain. It's loud, it's lively, it's rock 'n' roll- Jewish style. "Who is like You, O God, among the heavenly powers! Who is like You, majestic in holiness, awesome in splendors, working wonders!" Shemot 15:11 (Mi Chamocha) Lesson Summary:  Students will explore how Jewish music combines important words and shared experiences to create a special sense of community. Printable Lesson:  3405lesson.pdf Additional PDFs:  Source Sheet Additional Resources:  Rick Recht’s web site: http://www.rickrecht.com

Fluorescent Camels

Read about why Israel has started adorning camels in the Negev Desert with reflective strips. $0.00$0.00This Hanukkah, Israel will be lit up by more than just the glow of holiday candles. Camels sporting fluorescent strips will shine brightly throughout the Negev Desert. Israel started putting the reflective strips on camels this summer to reduce the number of car crashes involving camels. Ten people are estimated to have died in such accidents during the past two years. Israeli officials hope that the fluorescent camels will help shed some light on the problem.

Frank & Stein

In the delightful short story, a young man confides to his diary the jitters and worries he has about his upcoming bar mitzvah. As his bar mitzvah nears, the protagonist learns to appreciate the joy of reaching adulthood in Judaism. Students will explore the meaning of “milestone” and the relationship between reaching a milestone and hakarat hatov, appreciation. Through art and personal reflection, students will create personal milestone maps that depict both the achievements that they have reached in their lives and appreciation for those who have helped them reach those milestones. $0.00$0.00Dear Frank, I hate you. Don't take it personally. Right now, there are more things in my life that I hate than I like. Sorry, will explain myself later. I hear Sidney coming, and I don't want her to know about this. Dear Frank, It's me again. I guess I should introduce myself. (I can't believe I'm doing this.) Formally, my name is Benjamin Stein. Okay, Benjamin Milton Stein. My family calls me Benjy. Kids in school call me Stein. Lesson Summary:  Students will explore the meaning of "milestone" and the relationship between reaching a milestone and hakarat hatov. Through art and personal reflection, students will create personal milestone maps that depict both the achievements that they have reached in their lives and appreciation for those who helped them reach these milestones. Printable Lesson:  2408lesson.pdf Additional PDFs:  Source Sheet Questions Worksheet

Zach Gartenberg: Brotherly Love

Zach appreciates so much about his Autistic brother, even when the going gets rough. He wants others to appreciate the talents and qualities God gives to every individual. Simulating various disabilities will inspire students to understand the differences between people and to appreciate that what may seem as a weakness could be considered a strength. $0.00$0.00When Zach Gartenberg's younger brother Mori was two years old he stopped talking and never spoke again. He had trouble following directions, and sometimes would get so mad he would bang his head on the floor. Once, he took ice cream out of the freezer, dumped it on the floor, and ate it. Another time he grabbed ice cream off a woman's ice cream cone. "To understand, to have insight, to hear, to learn to reach to observe, and to have the ability to do and to fulfill the teachings God revealed to us in love." Ahavah Rabbah Prayer Lesson Summary:  Students will simulate certain disabilities to gain an understanding of two aspects of hakarat hatov: appreciating that God gives talents to every human and appreciating those God-given talents in every individual. Printable Lesson:  2402lesson.pdf Additional PDFs:  Source Sheet

Is America's Democracy for Sale?

The article looks at two important ideas—free speech and unfairinfluences—through the lens of the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act.  This lesson highlightsthat Jewish law supports both the value of speaking out and the value offair, unbiased judgment. $0.00$0.00  In 1999, a 90-year-old activist known as Granny D, walked from California to Washington. D.C., to dramatize the need for campaign finance reform. She wore out four pairs of shoes, but her enthusiasm for reform never faded. For 14 months, Granny D walked 10 miles a day, warning Americans that democracy "is drowning in a flood of money." ONE PERSON- ONE VOTE Lesson Summary:  The lesson demonstrates the potential values conflict between the value of speaking out to defend the downtrodden and the importance of unbiased judgments. Printable Lesson:  2401lesson.pdf Additional PDFs:  Source Sheet Word Definitions

It's In the E-Cards

It’s hard to find time in our busy lives to send thank-you cards for gifts. The article describes how e-cards can be a time-saving, fun alternative. In this lesson students will discuss how to use technology to express hakarat hatov, appreciation for the good things that come our way. $0.00$0.00  Your heart raced with anticipation as soon as you saw the package waiting on the kitchen table. You quickly ripped off the "Happy Birthday" wrapping paper, revealing the CD you've been wanting. "Wow, that was cool of my aunt to remember," you thought. In the two weeks since then, you've listened to the CD countless times- almost as many times as you've heard your mom remind you to send your aunt a thank-you note. But you've been busy with schoolwork, activities, and friends, and haven't had a chance. "Let giving and receiving all be in writing." Ben Sira 42:7 Lesson Summary:  Students will discuss the appropriate use of technology to express hakarat hatov. Printable Lesson:  2407lesson.pdf Additional PDFs:  Source Sheet Situation Cards

Lemony Snicket: The Man Behind the Misfortune

Read what Daniel Handler, that is, Lemony Snicket, has to say about writing and life in general.  In the accompanying  lesson, students will engage in a drama activity to help them identify what they are thankful for in their daily lives. They will then explore how our tefillot help us to show appreciation.  $0.00$0.00  If you show up for a book reading by Lemony Snicket hoping to catch a glimpse of the popular author, you'll find the mysterious Mr. Snicket missing. Instead, Lemony Snicket's "associate" Daniel Handler heartily greets fans. Daniel explains that, once again, misfortune struck Mr. Snicket- a shark bit his armpit- incapacitating him. A misfortune magnet, Lemony Snicket chronicles the miseries and woes of the Baudelaire orphans in his best-selling "A Series of Unfortunate Events." "Into the well from which you have once drunk water, do not throw clods of dirt." Bava Kama 92b Lesson Summary:  Students will participate in a drama exercise to help them identify what they are thankful for in their daily lives. Students will explore how hakarat hatov is expressed in traditional berakhot and tefillah. Printable Lesson:  2404lesson.pdf Additional PDFs:  Source Sheet List Of Blessings and Prayers that Express Appreciation in English List of Blessings and Prayers that Express Appreciation in Hebrew Additional Resources:  A guide to blessings: http://www.torah.net/eng/kids/brachot/index.htm 30-minute 2001 interview with Daniel Handler on "Fresh Air": http://www.npr.org/dmg/dmg.php?prgCode=FA&showDate=10-Dec-2001&segNum=1&mediaPref=RM (requires Real Player)

Torah Page 540

. In this lesson, students will explore the concept of hakarat hatov as it relates to one’s parents. Using sentence completion and role-playing in conjunction with a  text from Sefer Hah. inukh, students will consider various dimensions of appreciation. This lesson could be adapted for use at a family education event with parents and children present. $0.00$0.00There are millions of reasons to bless our parents. If I could bless my parents for anything, it would be for life. Thank your parents with love and kindness. Today I told my mom I loved her and gave her a big hug. I saw her face light up. That was the best gift I could give. Love. Hannah Wolff, 6th grade In the morning blessings, we thank God for clothing the naked and giving food to the hungry. These are things my parents do for me. They take care of all my necessities. They love and care for me, shelter and protect me. Everything I have is because of them. Lesson Summary:  Using sentence completions and role-playing, students will consider various aspects of how hakarat hatov applies to their parents. Printable Lesson:  2403lesson.pdf Additional PDFs:  Source Sheet Sentence Starters Worksheet Role-Playing Scenarios Additional Resources:  Divrei Torah about hakarat hatov: http://www.tfdixie.com/parshat/vaera/004.htm http://www.lchaimweekly.org/lchaim/5757/483.htm

Baba Bloggin'

Read these blog posts about life in Israel by eight Israeli teens. Then have your students write “foundpoems” using the descriptions that the Israeli youth provide to discoveressential reasons for appreciating life in Israel. $0.00$0.00Google the word "blog" and you'll unearth 16 million results. Blogs are online diaries and the newest Internet craze. The best bloggers lure you to their web pages with colorful writing and captivating opinions. BABAGANEWZ asked eight Israelis to each write a blog entry about living in Israel. Keep reading to see the inviting web they spun for us. Niv's Blog September 15, 2003 Although Israel is a small country, there are many unique things about it. For example, the mentality in Israel is different from any other place. Lesson Summary:  Students will write “found poems” using the descriptions of life in Israel and Israel’s Declaration of Independence to discover the essential reasons for appreciating life in Israel. Printable Lesson:  2406lesson.pdf Additional PDFs:  Life in Israel Worksheet 2406id.pdf Israel's Declaration of Independence in Hebrew Found Poems Instruction Sheet Additional Resources:  Listen to David Ben-Gurion read Israel's Declaration of Independence: http://www.knesset.gov.il/docs/heb/megilat.htm (Hebrew text with Hebrew audio) http://www.knesset.gov.il/docs/eng/megilat_eng.htm (English text with Hebrew audio) Israel Museum Web Site: http://www.imj.org.il/eng/shrine/building.html (May be useful in conjuction with virtual tour of Shrine of the Book in Virtual Israel.)

More Than "Idol" Chatter

Kelly Clarkson has an important message to share. $0.00$0.00Just a year ago, Kelly Clarkson was struggling to make ends meet by working as a waitress. But that changed in September 2002 when Kelly was crowned the first winner of "American Idol" and won a recording contract. Her debut CD, "Thankful," hit No. 1 on the Billboard charts earlier this year. In the title track, Kelly says she's thankful for the blessings in her life and the lessons that she's learned- that hits a chord with BABAGANEWZ.

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