DafAmerica - from American Scripture Project

When we approach American Scripture, our purpose is not to study history, but to ask how a particular part of our national heritage resonates within the souls of individual citizens. Leaders are clergy, not history professors. This is a spiritual, not an academic, discussion of the text. Even short phrases like “huddled masses yearning to breathe free” or “We hold these truths to be self-evident,” raise big emotions and ideas about our identities as Americans. Especially as we experience a transition between Presidents and political parties, these big feelings need a sacred place to be aired. Synagogues and other Torah study groups can be that place.

The full American Scripture Project requires clergy or other facilitators to invest time in preparing to lead the program’s 90-minute sessions, each of which explores a major American text in depth, with connections to a variety of Jewish sources throughout. DafAmerica uses shorter texts or excerpts and requires less preparation, yet offers the same opportunity to examine foundational American narratives in light of issues raised in the weekly parasha.

DafAmerica is designed for people who lead Torah study. Each session fits on one piece of paper. Side A contains background about the text and its connection to the parasha, with suggestions for how to facilitate the discussion. Side B is a formatted handout for easy use during a study session. The program can be used on Zoom as long as participants have ample opportunity to share and hear from each other.

Ideally, facilitators will be clergy familiar with the dynamics of the community they lead. Clergy have the symbolic role that can hold a group with holiness, compassion, and prophetic vision. Their presence helps keep a Torah study session from turning into political debate. Familiarity with the community allows clergy to build upon known relationships with humor and kindness, which are especially important when people are heated about America.