Updated 11-4-20
From The Jewish Education Project
ALL EDUCATION IS POLITICAL. JEWISH EDUCATION SHOULD BE, TOO. | David Bryfman | Forward
"For 21st century education to be relevant and meaningful, then it must empower our youth to be active and vibrant members of the societies in which they live.
The same holds for Jewish education."
Dr. David Bryfman is the CEO of The Jewish Education Project
AND YOU SHALL TEACH YOUR CHILDREN… Civic Responsibility, Leadership, and Civil Discourse | Ellen Rank, Educational Consultant | The Jewish Education Project
This guide through Jewish texts focuses on three critical themes at this time. Divided by grade level (K-4, 5-8, 9-12) with discussion questions for each text. Prepared especially for parents who are often the frontline educators for their children, especially now. Also helpful for educators looking to engage with the questions and possible answers from our tradition.
INTRODUCING YOUNG CHILDREN INTO THE CONCEPTS OF DEMOCRACY AND CITIZENSHIP | Sasha Kopp, Community Educational Consultant for Early Childhood and Family Engagement | The Jewish Education Project
A guide for Early Childhood educators which provides practical ideas (including a mock election) to explore themes and concepts relating to elections from both a universal and Jewish lens. Also recently published by NAEYC (National Association for the Education of Young Children) as part of their "Our Votes. Their Futures" campaign.
Featured Resources
REFLECTION 2020: AN ELECTION TOOLKIT FOR TEENS | Moving Traditions
Includes activities and discussion guides for teens, for parents, and for educators to meaningfully engage around the election. They help anticipate and process the variety of feelings they may have before, during, and after the election as the next president is selected; identify middot (Jewish approaches to character traits) to guide them; reflect on how gender is at play during the election; and deepen connection to themselves and others through meaningful engagement. There are also discussion questions and activities that can be done at any time, before, during, or after!
ELECTION 2020: THROUGH JEWISH EYES, A RESPONSE CURRICULUM | Jewish Education Center of Cleveland (JECC)
Designed to help educators identify and explore with their students three main concepts within the context of the upcoming general election: Jewish views on leadership, Jewish views on good government, and Jewish activity in the political system. Originally developed in 2016, updated in 2020, and appropriate for Middle and High School Students.
MAHLOKET MATTERS: NAVIGATING INNER CHALLENGES AND SOCIETAL DISCORD THROUGH JEWISH TEXTS AND SOCIAL EMOTIONAL LEARNING | Pardes
Mahloket Matters integrates Jewish text study and Social Emotional Learning to equip students with cognitive, emotional, and interpersonal skills to better manage internal and external conflicts, which have been intensified in today's toxic environment of political polarization and demonization of the other. In partnership with The Jewish Education Project, the Pardes Center for Jewish Educators is sharing Unit 1 of this curriculum free of charge (after you complete a short form). The three lessons, geared for 5th-8th and 9th-12th graders, can be used individually or in sequence, with a class or at home. The full curriculum is also available in exchange for feedback - contact Sefi Kraut for more information.
Civic Spirit is a growing coalition of eleven Jewish and Catholic independent schools in the New York Metropolitan area committed to teaching civic virtues and building civic leadership. Civic Spirit takes a three-pronged approach to education for engaged citizenship, consisting of (1) professional development for teachers, (2) high-level academic classes for students, and (3) a community-based “action civics” project for the school.
Dr. Tamara Mann Tweel, a Co-Founder of Civic Spirit, was one of our keynote presenters at our Jewish Futures Conference. You'll find a video recording of her presentation further down on this page.
- Developing Civic Agency: Leadership and Personal Responsibility (grades 5-8)
Jewish, historical and contemporary sources provide the backdrop to uncover and examine key components of leadership and personal responsibility. Adapted from Civic Spirit's Civics-Learning-in-a-Box and is suitable for class and home settings.
- Civil Discourse: Love Thy Neighbor (grades 5-8)
Adapted from Civic Spirit’s Civics-Learning-in-a-Box model, includes texts and tools designed to enhance student understanding and engagement in civil discourse through the lens of Jewish texts. Also provides a 5-Step Framework that will support young tweens in developing civic agency.
- The First Amendment (grades 9-12)
Case studies, sources, and discussion prompts to gain a fuller understanding of the First Amendment. Designed for class use and can be easily used at home.
- Media Literacy Challenge; Can You Trust Your News Feed? (grades 9-12)
Many of us are primarily exposed to articles, messages, and posts that reinforce our existing way of thinking. There is tremendous power in understanding the logic of "the other side" for the purposes of problem-solving. This lesson guides students to create a newsletter reflective of multiple perspectives on a civic issue.
- Restoring Faith in Democracy (grades 9-12)
A guide to developing individual and group prayers for America and Democracy, drawing on examples of liturgy from Jewish and other traditions.
CIVILLY SPEAKING: A CURRICULUM ON CIVIL DISCOURSE | Covenant Foundation
A six-lesson curriculum, commissioned by the Covenant Foundation in 2019 and written by master Jewish educators Joel Lurie Grishaver and Ira J. Wise, on the topic of teaching civil discourse, with Jewish and general material appropriate for 6th/7th grades, 8-10th grades, and 11th grade-adult students.
JEWISH TEXTS ON CIVIC ENGAGEMENT | Religious Action Center (RAC) and NFTY (Reform Youth)
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.
THE RAC 2020 CLERGY TOOLKIT | Religious Action Center
The Religious Action Center (RAC)'s resources for clergy (and other leaders in religious settings) has webinars, recordings, and readings for those working toward supporting their communities during this tumultuous election season
TEACHING KIDS ABOUT VOTING AND ELECTION DAY | PJ Library
This collection of books and family activities can help teach young children about the importance of elections, voting, forming their own opinions, and even arguing (or dialogue and discussion with others:). There are also PJ Library book suggestions that relate to issues and the Jewish values that may be represented on the ballot.
TEACHING RESOURCES FOR THE 2020 US ELECTION | Facing History and Ourselves
Facing History offers a number of Teaching Ideas, resources, and workshops divided into six areas including "Understand Voting Rights" and "Make Informed Decisions." All materials include appropriate grades and settings.
TEACHING ABOUT ELECTIONS | ADL
A collection of education resources including lesson plans, tools and strategies, family resources, and other election-related content, for middle and high school student, designed to assist teachers and parents teach and talk about before, during, and after elections.
REMOTE LEARNING TOOLKIT FOR FAMILIES | iCivics (Be sure to look through the rest of the site as well.)
This set of non-partisan games and resources for younger children and families is designed to increase knowledge, interest, and engagement in issues relating to government and promoting civil conversation. iCivics was founded by former Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor.
Other resources:
- MitzVote: Jewish Civic Education Resources | Hillel International | Designed for College students but may be appropriate for High School use
MitzVote has developed resource modules to infuse civic engagement and voting into your Jewish education and programming. Each topic module includes Jewish, historic, and contemporary texts along with discussion questions. Each also includes recommended next-step action items for participating students.
- Vote by Design | Voting By Design
A free immersive, non-partisan, digital learning experience designed to promote more civic engagement, agency, and action among all voters, and particularly next-gen voters. The project was incubated and launched in the fall of 2019 by an interdisciplinary team of educators at the Stanford d.school. The curriculum has since been delivered in high schools, universities, and community organizations across the country. Includes:
- My Political Autobiography | Essential Partners
This is a workbook designed to help students (and adults) think through and inventory the values and beliefs that shape their political views. It can be a meaningful opportunity for students to engage in dialogue with their parents about voting.
FREE & FAIR: OUR DUTY TO DEMOCRACY | Lippman Kanfer Foundation for Living Torah
Powered by Lippman Kanfer Foundation for Living Torah in partnership with ignite: action, a new initiative and campaign to empower the Jewish American community to navigate this extraordinary election cycle. Designed to serve as a clearinghouse of trusted resources that the Jewish community can turn to in the following three areas:
- Educating the community about rules and procedures uniquely relevant to this election cycle;
- Promoting trainings that will prepare communal leaders in ways that put democracy before partisanship;
- Encouraging Jewish organizations to close and offer paid time off on Election Day.
VOICE YOUR VOTE | BBYO - B'nai Brith Youth Organizations (BBG & AZA)
A non-partisan campaign for BBYO communities to help ensure registration, plans, and fair access to vote on election day with roles and responsibilities for Jewish teens, including those not yet able to vote. Also includes events to learn more about the issues.
