Lesson

Saddam's Dignity: What's It Worth?

United States policy says that immoral treatment of prisoners during interrogation is wrong. But Jewish values state that saving many lives at the price of one is more important than any other commandment. In the case of Saddam Hussein, the former Iraqi leader, what do you think is right?  Use of a visual organizer will help students sort out the conflicting Jewish values. $0.00$0.00United States policy says that immoral treatment of prisoners during interrogation is wrong. But Jewish values state that saving many lives at the price of one is more important than any other commandment. In the case of Saddam Hussein, the former Iraqi leader, what do you think is right? Trained interrogators from the CIA and FBI are grilling Saddam Hussein, the former Iraqi dictator, who was captured by U.S. soldiers as he hid in a shallow hole in the ground on December 13. The interrogation, however, has been unproductive. Lesson Summary:  Students will use a visual organizer to help them consider how to choose between maintaining Saddam Hussein’s dignity and using questionable tactics to gain potentially life-saving information. Printable Lesson:  6402lesson.pdf Additional PDFs:  Source Sheet Visual Organizer

The Secret of Giving

The article about Od Yosef Chai describes how the organization distributes money to needy families in Israel.  In the accompanying  lesson, students will explore the relationship between matanot la’evyonim and Purim; discover connections between tzedakah and other Jewish holidays and life-cycle events; and design tribute cards to raise funds for their school’s or synagogue’s tzedakah funds. $0.00$0.00  "[The Jews] were to observe [the days of Purim] as days of feasting and gladness, and of sending food to their friends and gifts to the poor." Megillat Esther 9:22 Lesson Summary:  Students will explore the relationship between matanot la'evyonim and Purim; discover connections between tzedakah and other Jewish holidays and life-cycle events; and design tribute cards to raise tzedakah funds. Printable Lesson:  6408lesson.pdf Additional PDFs:  Source Sheet Jewish Timeline - Holidays Jewish Timeline - Life Cycle

Sap

How does sap travel up a tree anyway? Students will visualize themselves as trees, and think about hope rising in them like sap in a tree after studying texts on trees, hope and new years. $0.00$0.00Tree-mendous Facts *The world's tallest living tree, the Stratosphere Giant, grows in Humboldt Redwoods State Park in California. It is 369 feet tall, meaning its sap must rise from the ground to heights taller than a 30-story building. *You'll need 35 to 40 gallons of tree sap to make one gallon of maple syrup. *When the sap of lime trees becomes exposed to air, it often ferments, turning into alcohol. When bees drink this sap, they become drunk and bump into trees on their way back to the hive! Rising to the Challenge "There is hope for a tree. If it is cut down, it will renew itself...At the scent of water, it will bud and produce branches like a sapling." Job 14: 7,9 Lesson Summary:  Students will examine inspirational stories and role models to determine what helps someone inspire hope in others. They will then create comic strips of what they have studied. Printable Lesson:  5406lesson.pdf Additional PDFs:  Source Sheet Additional Source with Study Questions How to Collect Sap for Maple Syrup

Larry Brown: Hoop Dreams

Read this interview with professional basketball coach Larry Brown. In the accompanying lesson, explore the concept of hope with your students by examining inspirational storiesa nd role models, and creating comic strips of the stories. $0.00$0.00  With only seconds left in the first half of a close NBA game, Detroit Pistons Coach Larry Brown huddles with his team during a time-out. His Pistons trail the Washington Wizards by five points, but Brown never quits, and he demands the same attitude from his squad. Shouting above the roar of the crowd, he calls a play that he hopes will trim Washington's lead and silence the hometown fans. It doesn't, but Coach Brown heads to the locker room determined to turn the game around. "Be strong, and let your heart take courage, all you who wait for God." Psalms 31:25 Lesson Summary:  Students will examine inspirational stories and role models to determine what helps someone inspire hope in others. They will then create comic strips of what they have studied. Printable Lesson:  5404lesson.pdf Additional PDFs:  Source Sheet Quotations About Hope Additional Resources:  Professional resources and tips for creating comic strips: http://members.shaw.ca/creatingcomics

Hila Arie: Planting Seeds of Hope

Read about the Seeds of Peace summer camp experience which brings young Israelis and Palestinians closer.Then explore with your students the relationship between wishes, prayers, and the actions that make hopes “come true.” $0.00$0.00  Some kids return from camp with archery trophies, swimming certificates, or their bunkmate's sweatshirt. But teenager Hila Arie returned to Israel from a special camp in Maine two summers ago with something precious: renewed hope for peace in Israel despite the continuing violence. "May God, Who makes peace in the universe, bestow peace upon us and upon all Israel. Amen." Oseh Shalom (Siddur) Lesson Summary:  Students will explore the relationship between wishes, prayers and the actions that make hopes “come true.” Printable Lesson:  5402lesson.pdf Additional PDFs:  Source Sheet Additional Resources:  Seeds of Peace http://www.seedsofpeace.org

Russia Today and the Jews

Despite the difficult political situation in Russia and the increase of anti-Semitism there, it is possible to address the situation with hope. Learn about the Jewish community in Russia and the challenges it faces, study some texts about hope, and then take action to inform your community of the issues, give the Russion Jews hope, and advocate with your political leaders.  $0.00$0.00Vladimir Zhirinovsky (pronounced Jheer-in-ov-ski) has been the leader of a political party in Russia that spreads hatred toward Jews and other minorities. He regularly blames Jews for Russia's economic hardships, repeating the anti-Semitic lie that the world's largest banks and corporations "are ruled by Jews." Lesson Summary:  In this lesson, students will study a variety of Jewish texts and consider how this article fits into an issue dedicated to the theme of tikvah, hope. Printable Lesson:  5401lesson.pdf Additional PDFs:  Source Sheet Russian Jews Action Plan Additional Resources:  NCSJ http://www.ncsj.org Jewish Telegraphic Agency http://www.jta.org Union of Councils for Soviet Jewry http://www.ucsj.org

Hold On to Hope

In this lesson, students will visualize and verbalize their individual concepts of hope. They will also brainstorm ways to hold on to hope and then compare their ideas with the tikvah tips cited in this article. $0.00$0.00When our troubles make us feel as if we need a lifeline, we can cling to these tikvah tips, and the buoyancy of hope will keep us afloat. Each of us will face problems, challenges, and crises in our lives. As sad as that seems, it is certain. But equally certain is the fact that we'll move past the dilemmas that drag us down, eventually learning to solve them, cope with them, or adapt to them. Lesson Summary:  Students will think about hope in their own lives and compile their own list of tikvah tips for use in times of trouble. Printable Lesson:  5407lesson.pdf Additional PDFs:  Source Sheet

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

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

Jews and Jedi

By studying the quotations of Star Wars character Yoda, students will learn that the aged Yoda is revered by other Jedi masters for his wisdom. Students will play a game before reading the article to match Yoda’s sayings to quotations from “even older” Jewish sources, which they will study in greater depth. $0.00$0.00  A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away lived a 900-year-old being named Yoda. Although the pointy-eared, elfin Jedi was masterful with a lightsaber, wielding wisdom was his truest strength. "Who is wise? The one who learns from every person." Pirkei Avot 4:1 Lesson Summary:  By studying the quotations of Star Wars character Yoda, students will learnthat the aged Yoda is revered by other Jedi masters for his wisdom. Studentswill play a game before reading the article to match Yoda’s sayings to quotationsfrom “even older” Jewish sources, which they will study in greater depth.  Printable Lesson:  4405lesson.pdf Additional PDFs:  Source Sheet Source and discussion questions worksheet Additional Jewish Texts Yoda Quotations Additional Resources:  Official Star Wars web site: http://www.starwars.com

Haim Reizes: The Spy Kid

In the interview, Haim Reizes shares his experiences as a member of the underground, fighting for Israel’s independence from the British in the early 1940s. In this lesson, students prepare to learn more about their older relatives' history. $0.00$0.00  Lesson Summary:  Students will learn and practice skills for conducting oral histories and will be asked to interview an older person to learn how an historic event made an impact upon the life of the older person. Printable Lesson:  4404lesson.pdf Additional PDFs:  Source Sheet Effective Interviewing Techniques List Photograph of Haim Reizes (printable) Hebrew version of this article Additional Resources:  History of the Irgun (Etzel): http://etzel.org.il/english http://www.us-israel.org/jsource/History/irgun.html Virtual tour of Etzel Museum

A Wealth of Data Reveals Jewish Poverty

This article exposes students to the unfortunate decline and poverty of the Jewish community of the United States. The accompanying lesson offers age-appropriate ways for students to discuss the statistics and develop plans to help Jews in need. This lesson could be used with a bar and bat mitzvah class to inspire students' mitzvah projects.  $0.00$0.00  Even though the blessing of prosperity enriches the majority of the American Jewish community, an alarming number of Jews live in poverty. This finding, announced last September by Jewish community leaders, shattered the myth that Jewish poverty exists only in New York City. Anita Friedman, director of a Jewish social service agency in San Francisco, warns that despite the community's preoccupation with its spiritual survival, Judaism can't survive "at the expense of the poor and vulnerable among us." A SHIFT IN DEMOGRAPHICS Lesson Summary:  This lesson is an opportunity for students to learn some important statistics about Jewish poverty; to discuss which segments of the Jewish community suffer most from poverty; and to develop an action plan to help change the situation. Printable Lesson:  4401lesson.pdf Additional PDFs:  Source Sheet Excerpts from chapters 1 and 2, the Book of Ruth

Neurogenesis

In this article students read about how learning and thinking actually makes your brain grow. In the lesson sudents will use scientific understanding about brain function to plan activities during a visit to a senior-living facility. $0.00$0.00Brain Power *There are approximately 100 billion neurons (nerve cells) in the human brain. That's 100,000,000,000! *If you were to count all the neurons in the brain (one cell per second), it would take you about 3,171 years. *Lined up side by side, the neurons in your brain would stretch close to 600 miles. A Cell Is Born "For [the words of Torah] will give you length of days, years of life, and well-being." Proverbs 3:2 Lesson Summary:  Students will use scientific understanding about brain function to plan activities during a visit to a senior-living facility. Printable Lesson:  4407lesson.pdf Additional PDFs:  Source Sheet Additional Resources:  Excellent article about being young of mind: http://www.exploratorium.edu/exploring/exploring_memory/index.html

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

Torah Page 543

Use this text and lesson in a program for parents, grandparents and students. They  will explore the maxim “with age comes wisdom”by analyzing Jewish textx. $0.00$0.00This verse implies that a certain wisdom comes from living a long time. The wisdom is what you learn from other people; it doesn't come from books. It comes from your heart. Rebecca Young, 5th grade Every time I speak to my grandfather, he asks, "What's new?" I answer, "Well, at school today..." I tell him what I learned. I show him my projects, and he reads every single word. After every conversation he says, "You see, you learn something new every day." Yetti Steinman, 7th grade Every other week, my sixth-grade class visited a nursing home. Lesson Summary:  Students will analyze the text from Job and complete a "wisdom worksheet" about the "wise" people in their lives and in the Torah. Printable Lesson:  4403lesson.pdf Additional PDFs:  Source Sheet Wisdom Worksheet Additional Resources:  D'var Torah on Parashat Bo about learning from elders: http://www.torah.org/learning/lifeline/5759/bo.html

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

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

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

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

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