Focus on Judaism

The Suffolk Agreed Syllabus makes Judaism a focus in Key

Stage 1 alongside Christianity. Four Learning Themes must
be considered for Judaism (Ag. Syll. p.23):

Believing Prayer and Worship

Belonging Leaders and Teachers

If you love ‘festivals’ you can use these as a way into a particular learning theme e.g.
‘Shabbat’ can be the basis of your ‘Belonging’ work, Rosh Hashanah can be the basis of
‘Believing’.

In Key Stage 2 the equivalent of a term must be spent revisiting Judaism ‘touching on
various themes or looking at one in detail’ (Ag Syll. p.26). The same is true in KS3 but in
neither key stage is a particular Learning Theme specified. This means you have lots of
choice in how to approach Judaism.

You could:

 select a ‘Learning theme’ studied in Christianity, Hinduism or Islam and look at

Judaism through this same window e.g. ‘Inspirational People’ or ‘The Journey of Life
and Death’.
 set up a research project using the Learning About Religion and Learning From
Religion questions for Judaism (non-stat guidance p.95ff). SELECT the most
appropriate – don’t do them all!
 make a link with a history or literacy project e.g. using ‘Good Night Mister Tom’, or
work on Ann Frank
 build work around a Jewish story book such as those mentioned below and then
connect it back to one or more of the 9 ‘Learning Themes’.

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A good book for all primary ages, ‘Opening Up: Judaism offers
imaginative ‘Learning about’ and ‘Learning from’ lessons through
encounter with Jewish children, festival, story, synagogue, beliefs
and concepts.

The book addresses Jewish diversity, responses to the holocaust and

gives advice on accurate representation of the Jewish community in
GB and the world today

Available from: www.retoday.org.uk/

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Countdown to good teaching in Judaism ….
Six key concepts:

Ensure that you explore, and use, these key concepts, discovering how the Jewish
community might use them.

COVENANT – an agreement between God and the Jewish people

TIKKUN OLAM – ‘healing of the world’, responsibility to care for creation

TZEDAKAH – the regular giving of charity

MITZVOT – commandments of God, good deeds

SHABBAT – to cease from work, to rest, a day of rest

TESHUVAH – repentance, putting right wrongs

Jewish heroes –from Akhlah website

Five good websites:

www.hitchams.suffolk.sch.uk/synagogue/index.htm Tour of Colchester synagogue with

info re artefacts etc

www.torahtots.com/home.htm Jewish children’s site with music,

colourful info
about festivals etc
www.reonline.org.uk gateway to many sites with topic
search
www.bje.nsw.edu.au Choose Learning Resources > Basic
Judaism
www.akhlah.com/ stories and customs, blessings

Four great story books:

The Hardest Word - Jacqueline Jules

(Kar-Ben)

The Ziz, a clumsy, big-hearted bird, asks God for advice after
accidentally destroying a vegetable garden. He learns the importance
of repentance, or an apology. A simple fun book - a great starting
point for discovering Yom Kippur, the day of atonement.

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 The Always Prayer Shawl – Sheldon Oberman

(Picture Puffins)

When Adam's family leaves Russia for America, Grandfather gives

him an ancient prayer shawl that has been passed down from
generation to generation, and in time, an older Adam passes the
prayer shawl down to his own grandson.

Some things change and some things don't…. the strength of Jewish
tradition underpins this lovely story.

In God's Name – SE Sasso ((Jewish Lights)

In this modern fable from the Jewish community, the peoples of the
world come up with their own names for God, each drawn from their
experience of life: Source of Life, Creator of Light, Shepherd. Maker of
Peace, My Rock, Healer, Redeemer, Comforter, Ancient One, Mother,
Father, and Friend.

When all the people come together they realize their diversity but
discover a unity when they call God ‘One’.

Sammy Spider’s First Sukkot – Sylvia Rous

(Kar-Ben)

From inside the house, Sammy notices Josh and his father
hammering wooden beams together. Of course Sammy asks his
mother: "What are they making?" and then "Can we celebrate
Sukkot, too?" His mother answers, "Silly little Sammy...Spiders
don't celebrate Sukkot. Spiders spin webs." So we start to learn
about one of the Jewish harvest holidays.

One of a whole series on Jewish holidays.

Three sources of Judaica:

 ARTEFACTS e.g. www.articlesoffaith.co.uk/categories/Judaism

 CRAFTS e.g. www.freekidscrafts.com/iris_folding_applee485.html
 JEWISH ON LINE SHOP e.g.
www.worldofjudaica.com/judaica/tzedakah-boxes

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Two long-lived resources:

A Child’s Eye View of Festivals - The Jewish festival of Hanukkah is

included on this popular and engaging DVD. It shows children
celebrating with families and friends, but also shows work with a class
in school. Great for Reception and KS1. Costs £29.95

Two Candles Burn contains simple songs for

Jewish Festivals e.g. Shabbat, Rosh Hashanah,
Sukkot, Simchat Torah, Chanukah. The songs
introduce some facts about the festivals and are
sung in English using key Hebrew words. Printed lyrics are included.
Cost £9.20

Both available from: www.retoday.org.uk/

And one re-discovery!

A great discovery, the Jewish

version of Sesame Street re-
launched in 2010. Try the dozens
of excellent video clips on the
website or on the 12 part DVD
series. You will also find ‘sneak peeks’ on You-tube. Children get a
“Grover’s eye-view” of Israel, learn Hebrew words, delight at animated
stories from the Jewish tradition and laugh at the antics of the Muppets
as they learn more about Jewish culture.

The website offers games, videos, activities and printables on the Jewish
festival cycle, Jewish values, Shabbat, Israel and Hebrew language. With
additional material for teachers, Shalom Sesame is a resource for Jewish
parents and children, but also for teachers wanting to learn more and
find really simple authentic information.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ SHALOM CHAVERIM ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~