Teaching Independence and Helping Others Through Pirkei Avot: A Jewish SEL Lesson
Help children explore what it means to take care of themselves while also caring for others through the wisdom of Pirkei Avot. This Mishnafari sample lesson is based on the saying, “If I am not for myself, who is for me? And if I am only for myself, what am I?” (אִם אֵין אֲנִי לִי, מִי לִי? וּכְשֶׁאֲנִי לְעַצְמִי, מָה אֲנִי?).
This resource includes:
A sample from the third book in the Mishnafari series, Who Is Helping?
A discussion prompt
A hands-on activity
An interactive poster
A sing-along song by Robbo
Designed for children ages 4–8, this resource can be used in Jewish day schools, Hebrew and Sunday schools, at home, or as part of a Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) curriculum.
These samples are taken from Unit 3, based on the third book in the Mishnafari series, Who Is Helping?, which focuses on independence, responsibility, helping others, and building a caring community. Explore the complete unit at www.mishnafari.com for additional stories, lesson plans, games, songs, discussion guides, printable activities, and classroom resources.
- Empathy
- Self-care
- Social Emotional Learning
- Age 3-4
- K - 3
- After School and Beyond
- Charter/ Independent School
- Early Childhood Education
- Congregational Learning
- Day Schools and Yeshivas
- Family Engagement
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