Jewed In Jewed Out
Creative Torah education requires a depth of learning and understanding to present multi-disciplinary programs that are relevant, contemporary and engaging. Following are a few examples of how this can be attained.
Haggadah
Jewed Out
Read the Haggadah
Notes
Included in this unit is training by a relationship professional on how to present workshop and students training lay people (married couples etc) in relationship fundamentals
Result
Educates students that Torah is relevant and there is nothing that Torah does not pertain to.
Provides a comprehensive course on relationship development and maintenance
TISHA B’AV
Jewed Out
The destruction of the Beis Hamikdash…tragedies
Notes
This unit includes consulting a psychology professional to brainstorm whether sadness inoculation (antidote) could safely be used in a secular environment.
Result
Particularly relevant content for 16-18 year olds.
Turns a slightly relevant ancient commemoration to a life changing self-help tool.
MATAN TORAH MIDRASH
Jewed Out
Moshe had a debate with the angels…
Notes
Included in this unit is a lesson on what instructional design is and what issues instructional designers and all educators need to address
Result
An esoteric story becomes full of relevant, cool and very useful knowledge
Parshas Noach
Jewed Out
Noach built an ark with 2 of all…
Jewed In
Internet research animal groups ranging from Fly to Elephant – surface area required to house 2 of each species in group, calculate totals, (G&T group worked out displacement/ surface area formula) compare with Teiva (ark) dimensions – discuss whether teiva was miraculous and if so why need a teiva
Notes
A combined unit with the science faculty who train students in valid research methods and tools, biological relevance of surface area etc.
Result
Torah story becomes contemporary, exciting and very relevant, thus engaging. Multi-disciplinary learning experience.
PANKRATION
A year 8 English text about the Roman gladiators, starting with a character who lost his whole family in a plague
Jewed out
Don’t address this book
Jewed In
Learn the Black Plague and how Jews were largely spared because of halacha and hygene. Which great sages lived then? Rebbi Akiva, who’s motto was love your neighbour as yourself. What were Jews focussing on at the time (laws of damages in the Talmud etc.)
Result
Give students a taste of the sophistication of Torah law and the focus of a Godly life. Also, a holistic view of the subject matter way surpassing the average student.