This is a hands-on, team activity for the week before Sukkot that allows students to build sukkot according to instructions given in the Mishnah.
Type: Lesson Plan
Text Study
Rabbi Leah Richman interprets the Song of Songs.
Blessings for Life's Journey
Each week, Rabbi Sheryl Lewart, z”l, would send out blessings to congregants and friends, offering a modern twist on each week’s Torah portion. Blessings for Life's Journey is a posthumously published collection of her writings.
Type: Book
The Role of Text Study in Congregational Values-Based Decision Making
This article encourages communities to draw on ancient and contemporary texts as they develop and articulate their values.
Type: Article
Teaching Genesis (5th Grade and Up)
This lesson encourages students to compare the two creation stories in Genesis and to relate them to a contemporary midrash, a classical midrash and creation myths from other cultures.
Type: Lesson Plan
Introduction to Midrash (5th Grade and Up)
This lesson about the Garden of Eden encourages students to generate their own midrash. It models an approach that can be applied to other Torah texts.
Type: Lesson Plan
Mussar and Text Sources on Climate Change
These two papers use Jewish texts and sources to offer wisdom on global climate change.
Type: Text Compilation
Sustainability Sources From Jewish Tradition
In 2007, JRF launched its third Omer text-study initiative. That year's theme was sustainability. These texts were compiled from Jewish tradition (including contemporary and Reconstructionist texts) to help participants develop their own teachings.
Type: Text Compilation
A Contemporary Translation of Pirke Avot, Chapter One
This is a contemporary translation of the first chapter of Pirke Avot.
Topics: Education, Text Study
Type: Other
Joseph: Provocative Dreamer (Parashat Vayeshev)
This study guide uses Rashi's commentary to explore Joseph's dream about his family bowing to him.
Type: Text Study