When Is It God? When Is It Me?
Rabbi Jacob Staub asks the question, "How do we know when we are acting of our own volition, versus acting with God's divine spirit guiding us?"
Topics: Spirituality, Teaching Text
Type: Essay
Teaching Text
Jewish Values and People With Disabilities—Appreciating the Variety of Life
This compilation of quotes from various text sources conveys Jewish values regarding people with special needs.
Type: Text Compilation
Rashi's Method: A Model For Students
This article explores Rashi's approach to text and cites it as a model for students. He gives permission to pose different questions and answers without declaring any one to be correct.
Topics: Education, Teaching Text
Type: Essay
The Daily Renewal Of Creation: A Treasure Hunt
This treasure hunt challenges students to find things corresponding to each day of creation in Bereshit.
Topics: Education, Teaching Text
Type: Class Activity
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
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
Parashat Noah">"Where Was God?"—Learning About Natural Disasters From Parashat Noah
During disasters and their aftermaths, many people wonder about God’s role in their suffering. This lesson seeks to explore God’s role in tragedy from a Jewish Reconstructionist perspective. This lesson is intended for children ages 8-12.
Type: Lesson Plan
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
The Binding Of Isaac: What Is the Nature Of the Test? (Parashat Vayera)
This study guide poses questions about Abraham's test in parashat vayera.
Type: Text Study
Parsing the Meeting of Jacob and Esau (Parashat Vayishlah)
This study guide for parashat Vayishlah uses Rashi's commentary to explore Jacob's departure from Laban's house and his subsequent meeting with Esau.
Type: Text Study