Book of Esther: The Power of Family in our Lives
An exploration of the Book of Esther through the lens of multiple identities.
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Explore the multiple identity themes coming up from the story of Purim with a special nod to the world of adoption in this lesson plan for religious schools from Second Nurture.
Consider the importance of preceding generations in Jewish life and texts (it’s why we are called to the Torah with our parents’ names). We honor the impact of one generation on another, leading to us today, and our children in the future. This impact comes from genetic heredity and also from relationships, life exposure and experience. We all have them all, in some form, but for some of us each influence stems from different sources. This is true in adoption. This is true or Esther.
Even though Mordecai was likely (although not definitely) biologically related to his forebears, he is still described by the rabbis with characteristics developed in relationship, not necessarily genetically inherited.
Esther, who is adopted by Mordecai, is disconnected from her biological family, and may not even know who they were. Yet she becomes a strong self-assured woman through her relationship with her father, as well as decidedly influential on their future generations—on all of us here!
Second Nurture's mission is to radically increase the number of families who choose to foster and adopt waiting children and teens, and do so successfully. They provide support, resources and community to foster and adoptive family.
In addition to the lesson plan, you might use this video from Chaya Lev as a conversation starter on the topic.
Find more Jewish Programming Materials from Second Nurture here.
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An exciting and diverse collection of resources to learn and celebrate the story of Purim.
Peninsula Temple Beth El (PTBE), San Mateo, CA. Families in small groups with similar age kids begin learning together, move into separate groups for parallel study and then come back together for a family activity followed by participation in Shabbat worship.
Living Judaism is an all-inclusive experiential learning model of Jewish Education. The purpose of the model is to engage every learner, provide carefully constructed learning experiences, build a strong identity, root students firmly in tradition, and create memories to last for years to come.
Permission to Feel inspires a new mindset around the power of emotions to transform our lives. Using science, passion, and lively storytelling, this book serves as a guide for understanding our own and others’ emotions, as well as provides innovative strategies for developing emotional intelligence
Demonstrating authenticity and vulnerability in the classroom means educators thoughtfully share their genuine questions, struggles, and personal connections with Jewish primary texts, creating a model of honest engagement with tradition. This approach embraces wrestling with texts as a sacred act
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