On January 24, 2021, Reconstructionists gathered for a virtual day of learning entitled "God?: A Reconstructionist Conversation". Videos of the learning sessions are available below.
Educators
Related Resources
As more and more places of worship become vulnerable to hate crimes and gun violence and we increase security measures, young people are particularly traumatized. One congregation has created a mental health and resilience curriculum for its students.
In this classic article, Rabbi Julie Greenberg explores successful mixed-age classrooms in Jewish schools.
This lesson helps children and adults delve into the meaning and feeling of the Hashkiveinu prayer.
Fuller Aleynu prayer for Siddur Kol Hano'ar
Summarized discussion among Reconstructionist educators on childrens' High Holiday services
D'VAR TORAH
Genesis 6:9-11:32
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.
Should children receiving conflicting, non-Jewish, religious education be allowed to enroll in a synagogue school? This question is at core about the differences between how the individual is seen by the community, his status, and how the individual sees herself, her identity
An email discussion between educators about teaching Hanukkah and the implications of different approaches.
This short article reflects on the challenges and opportunities presented by digital technology in Reconstructionist education.
This pilot program for Jewish teen education provides several activities for exploring and sharing beliefs about God.
This short biography of Mordecai Kaplan is written for children from 5th to 9th grade.
This evaluation tool provides a rubric for assessing the contemporary state of Jewish education
This resource on Jewish peoplehood provides tools for Jewish educators, including early childhood educators, to reflect and teach on issues of Jewish identity and peoplehood.
This printable resource pairs selected quotes from Solomon Northup's autobiographical memoir, "12 Years a Slave," with quotes from the Exodus and other Jewish texts.
How can congregations best handle controversial issues and explore the values underlying disagreements about issues?
This three-part family education series addresses issues related to bar/bat mitzvah. It is designed for a large group of parents and students and uses active learning exercises. It covers issues around Jewish identity, the meaning of bar/bat mitzvah, and common concerns that parents and students have about the process.
This is a curriculum for Israel education, from early childhood through adulthood, fostering connections to Israel through language, liturgy, song, trips and relationships.
Archive of a group conversation among Jewish educators about teaching Jewish obligation in a progressive religious setting
An archive of discussions about High Holiday children's and youth services
D'VAR TORAH
Leviticus 22:26-23:44
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.
Jewish values and practical strategies for improving classroom discipline in supplemental religious schools
A play and activities on the life and values of Zionist pioneer Theodor Herzl
This manual provides practical suggestions and tools for lesson planning and classroom management. It includes excellent resources for bringing a "multiple intelligences" awareness into classrooms.
Jewish educators can answer children's questions many ways, depending on the child's developmental stage. This brief essay explores the factors involved in weighing how to answer children's questions on Reconstructionist Judaism.
An extensive set of frequently asked questions about Reconstructionism, for use by Jewish educators.
Listserv thread discussing synagogue membership requirements for religious school enrollment
How can you delight two- and three-year-olds with chanting of Torah in ancient melodies called trope?
This guide explores how to discuss God with children; it relates theological concepts to the natural world, human relationships and other parts of a child's world.
