Teachers & Educators

Preview the Newest Materials in Jewish Education with Golem Express

When you join Golem Express, you automatically receive a review copy of all our new educational materials as soon as they are published. We will releasing some exciting new titles in 2017 that you really won't want to miss, including a brand new family haggadah, seven new prayer modules for our groundbreaking Hebrew in Harmony curriculum, a guide chock full of creative ideas for Jewish educators by Batsheva Frankel, some fun new Jewish-themed coloring books, and a new resource to making t’fillah more meaningful for children.

Stephen Covey and Yom Kippur: A Text Study for the Busy Jewish Professional

The High Holidays are traditionally times of reflection. We are called upon to take time to consider the year just ending and the one to come. Of course, those of us in the “business” of Judaism—educators, clergy, teachers, staff—may find ourselves asking, “And with all I have going on right now, when exactly is that reflection supposed to happen?” This time of year can feel so hectic for us that this particular moment may not feel at all like a good time to reflect.

Big Idea for Jewish Learning #3 - Living Our Values

As you plan your curriculum, we have created a Big Ideas Guide that identifies three areas that encompass the key values and purpose of part-time Jewish education programs. The Big Ideas in this small downloadable guide help you think through the enduring understandings you want your learners to grapple with as they form connections with Judaism, as well as point to specific Behrman House texts and materials that support the learning and help you guide students.

New Help to Keep Parents Informed

Back to school just got a little bit easier.  We've created customizable sample letters that you can share with parents to keep them informed about the Online Learning Center, and the exciting new digital materials for Hebrew in Harmony and Shalom Hebrew their children may be using this school year. 

Big Idea for Jewish Learning #2 - Belonging to a Spiritual Community of Practice

As you plan your curriculum, we have created a Big Ideas Guide that identifies three areas that encompass the key values and purpose of part-time Jewish education programs. The Big Ideas in this small downloadable guide help you think through the enduring understandings you want your learners to grapple with as they form connections with Judaism, as well as point to specific Behrman House texts and materials that support the learning and help you guide students.

How Yoga Connects Teachers to Judaism

Yoga has long been known for its powerful effect on calming the mind and relaxing the body. Educators in particular, who in many corners are struggling with stress and burnout, can reap its benefits both personally and professionally. 

Small Groups as a Way to Reimagine Congregational Life

Imagine small groups of people coming together regularly to learn and connect around topics of shared interests or life stages. Some pioneering synagogues are doing just that, drawing on the notion of chavurot - typically small groups of friends who gather to learn or worship together - to transform their congregations into destinations for meaning and relationships.

Big Idea for Jewish Learning #1 - Deep Connection to Our Sacred Texts

As you plan your curriculum, we have created a Big Ideas Guide that identifies three areas that encompass the key values and purpose of part-time Jewish education programs. The Big Ideas in this small downloadable guide help you think through the enduring understandings you want your learners to grapple with as they form connections with Judaism, as well as point to specific Behrman House texts and materials that support the learning and help you guide students.

Break Through the Hebrew Reading Summer Slide

As students head back to school, help them break through the Hebrew reading summer slide with a variety of tools for students of all ages and levels.

The Gateways Shabbat Family Companion: Q&A with Author Rebecca Redner

Coming October 1, The Gateways Shabbat Family Companion invites families with children of all ages and abilities to experience the joy of Friday night Shabbat celebrations. A companion to the bestselling Gateways Haggadah, The Gateways Shabbat Family Companion features many of the same elements, such as vibrant photographs and prayers illustrated with picture communication symbols developed by Mayer-Johnson™, the leading creator of symbol-adapted special education materials.

Second Hebrew in Harmony Cohort Begins Sept. 1

It's not too late to join the second cohort of teachers training to use Hebrew in Harmony, the groundbreaking new music-based curriculum for 4th-6th graders to ensure an engaging and musical Hebrew experience for your students.

Generosity of Spirit: The Performers at NewCAJE

If you were to ask me about what stood out at the NewCAJE conference, I’d say the incredible generosity of the musicians and performers. Generosity—and humility. As far as I could tell, they:

Presidential Elections and Other Hot Topics Through a Jewish Lens

What qualities do you think voters should look for in a presidential candidate? That's the question you can help teens explore through a Jewish lens as the general election heats up. 

The Sukkah that Ricardo Built

Sky-High Sukkah, a new Apples & Honey Press picture book, tells a heartwarming story about friendship and community. Author Rachel Ornstein Packer shares the real-life inspiration behind her book.

Add New Apples and Honey Press Titles to Your School Collection

Enrich your school or classroom library with our new crop of Jewish children's books. Apples and Honey Press has published seven new titles, just in time for the new school year and your fall lesson planning. Eligible for our educator discount and with free teacher resource pages available, Apples and Honey Press books are accessible, affordable, and make a wonderful addition to any Hebrew or Judaics curriculum.

Join the Second Cohort of Hebrew in Harmony Teachers

Thanks to high interest in an online teacher training course for Hebrew in Harmony, we have opened registration for the second cohort sooner than planned!  The first cohort, currently in session, filled up quickly and is now oversubscribed. Don't miss out on this key learning of how to use the new prayer-through-music curriculum Hebrew in Harmony. 

Resources for Your High Holiday Family Services

As you prepare for the fall busy season, consider ways to create supportive and joyful worship opportunities for families these High Holidays with services full of warmth and spritual significance. Organizing meaningful family services takes thoughtful planning. Here are some simple tips to get you started.  1. Enlist parents to help keep down adult noise levels by deputizing them as officials "shushers." 2. Embrace the unique opportunity for creative expression and experiential learning. Enourage movement, dancing, singing, hand motions.

Free Teacher Resource to Complement Storybooks

Educators work hard all year long preparing the perfect lesson plans. Why not enjoy the rest of your summer and let us do some of the planning for you?

Look Who's Just Joined Hebrew in Harmony

The roster of acclaimed musicians and performers on the Hebrew in Harmony team continues to grow as we create more music-inspired materials for this groundbreaking curriculum.  Scheduled for release early next year, the second phase of Hebrew in Harmony will feature work by the following artists:

Fall Holiday Stories Focus on Warmth of Friendship

  The fall holidays offer a special opportunity for learning. Beyond shofars, apples, and prayer services, the holidays are ripe for exploration about community, friendship, and connection to Jewish identity. Our holiday storybooks, including two coming soon from Apples & Honey Press, provide easy entry for children to grasp deeper meaning of the celebrations.

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