Teaching Civic Engagement in an Election Year
Curated Series
The Jewish Education Project
We hope that your efforts to engage your students and your children will further foster our belief about civic responsibility and the democratic process, that every citizen has the right to vote and that every citizen should vote. These non-partisan resources will aid in discussion and programming for educators and families.
Save to library
This work supports the most central goal of American public education: preparing students for life in a democracy.
This resource includes texts and tools to enhance student engagement with civic life through the lens of Jewish texts.
Strategies and activities to help students analyze issues of bias, discrimination, diversity, civil rights and justice.
PJ Library offers books and activities can help teach your children about the importance of elections and voting.
This resource includes texts and tools meant to enhance student engagement with civic life through the lens of Jewish texts.
This list by the ADL provides pathways for civic involvement on a local or national level.
These stories feature bold characters, historical figures, and inspiring personalities.
A source sheet with discussion questions related to the importance of voting as a Jewish value.
This lesson provides selected Jewish texts to help youth process responses to the current state of our nation.
A Discussion Guide for Civic Engagement and Civil Discourse
Explore the history of democratic and anti-democratic efforts in the United States.
David Bryfman writes that all education is political. Jewish education should be, too.
Civic Responsibility, leadership, and civil discourse texts and discussion questions.
A guide to introducing young learners about democracy and civic engagement.
In a lead-up to the election, David Bryfman has a timely conversation with Aaron Dorfman, founder and executive director of A More Perfect Union: The Jewish Partnership for Democracy.
This article from A More Perfect Union explores the definition of civil society from a Jewish perspective.
A guided partner (havruta) text study on power and the political process.
A 6-part curriculum including grade-specific materials and materials for adults.
A varied collection of eight different Jewish texts and commentaries, traditional and contemporary, each with a set of discussion questions. Appropriate for teen and adult learning.
Inside this booklet, you’ll find a treasure trove of ideas and approaches to ignite creativity and passion for civic learning within Jewish spaces.
A 6-part exploration of encounters, possibilities and obstacles of Judaism and Democracy.
Come together with Dr. Betsy Stone to debrief, to console, to share, to celebrate. All views are welcome!
In this time of polarization, when civil discourse is more elusive than ever, many of us avoid or dread conversations with those whose perspectives and opinions differ from our own. We worry that any attempts at discussions will devolve into arguments and acrimony. This is particularly challenging when it is happening between youth professionals and the teens they serve (and, of course between the teens themselves). We need more connection, compassion, empathy, and understanding.
The Shabbats proceeding an election offer an opportunity to center the Jewish commitment to Civic Engagement.
Some constructive ideas you can apply to your life, family, school and community.