Program Bank

Pinat Chinuch (USY Educator’s Corner)

This site will be updated periodically- please come back and visit. If you are an educator and planning your school curriculum now, and there is a topic listed that you would like material for immediately, e-mail Amy Dorsch at dorsch@uscj.org.

Please visit the Resources section of our website to order educational sourcebooks at a variety of great topics. The brochure can be viewed by clicking on the link on the Resources page.

This material, although created for experiential/informal settings of USY and Kadima, can be used within a congregational school environment as well. To see additional ideas for Congregational school-youth group collaboration click here. Please note that some of this material may appear out of date and may need to be revised, however content is still useful and relevant.

These programs differ slightly from what you will find on the program bank page. Most sessions use experiential learning techniques and are best used for:

USY Sicha/Limud/Kitah
Hebrew High and Congregational School settings
Camp programs such as Encampment
Summer Programs education sessions

Scroll down to find sessions divided by topic.

Please feel free to request an educational session or submit one by emailing Amy Dorsch at dorsch@uscj.org.

Teaching Techniques and Resources

Skills for teaching in USY- includes higher level question types, how to lead a discussion and more tips specific to USY settings
Leading a Discussion- excellent tips for leading a discussion specific to a USY-type setting. Includes tips on getting teens to talk, “classroom management” and sample modes of discussion.
Active Learning Techniques- Ideas for making Jewish learning active
Lesson format for experiential/active learning- focuses on process over content- what you want learners to do in order to gain knowledge.
Have you checked out MediaMidrash, a site owned and operated by Jewish educational publishing company, Behrman House? Media Midrash offers Jewish and secular video and other media on a variety of Jewish topics. It’s a fantastic, creative way to transmit Jewish knowledge the ways youth today learn best. See Links to Jewish Resources on the USY homepage, for more great websites you can access to help you teach!
Leading a Discussion- Courtesy of the USY Program Bank
Description and Lesson Plan for Informal Ed/Active Learning

Anti-Semitism

Anti-Semitism through “Humor”
Anti-Semitism Panel Discussion- a “talk show” panel of a Holocaust denier, KKK member and skin head
Anti-Semitism

B’tzelem Elohim

Recommended: please order a copy of USY’s “Love Your Neighbor, Love Yourself: Building Healthy Relationships,” for an entire chapter on B’tzelem Elohim, covering topics such as body image, self esteem, tzinut and sexuality. Sample pages can be viewed here.

Body – Tzniut, Sex, alcohol
Body Image- Student packet- Courtesy of Hagalil USY
Body Image Teacher’s Guide- Courtesy of Hagalil USY
Beauty and “Ugliness”
Gender Stereotypes- uses Ashrei Ha’ish and Eishet Chayil to teach gender appreciation, uses Disney characters to discuss gender stereotypes
Gender Streotypes II- Courtesy of CHUSY Region
Man Vs. Maam: Gender Differences Sourcebook
Shmirat Haguf- Exercise, Nutrition and Stress Management
Texts on Healthy Relationships and Sex- courtesy of Rabbi Aaron Alexander, prepared for Koach Kallah 2013
USY on Wheels B’tzelem Elohim 2008 Material
Body Image- Coutesy of CHUSY Region 2012
Self Confidence Exploration Activities
Self Esteem in Judaism- Courtesy of EPA USY
Sex and Judaism- Courtesy of Seaboard USY
Sex and Judaism- excellent sources
Shmirat Haguf/Guarding One’s Body
This is My Beloved, This is my Friend: A Rabbinic Letter on Intimate Relations- written by Rabbi Elliot Dorff, this includes a Conservative Jewish response to intimacy and sexuality
Tattooing, Body Piercing, Organ Donation
Tzniut You Are What You Wear
Tzniut Appropriate Dress
Peer Pressure and Acceptance
Sex and Healthy Relationships sources- Courtesy of Koach (Prepared by Rabbi Aaron Alexander)

Community Responsibility

Community Responsibility Cantata
Jewish Community ‘Cafe’- use this “menu” to build a Jewish community with limited “funds.”
Responsibility Toward Others
I am Not for Myself- Jewish mutual responsibility
Conservative Judaism and Responsibility to the Community
Ethics of Community Responsibility

Conservative Judaism

ConservativeJudaismWheels2008
Conservative Judaism- Teacher’s Guide- Courtesy of NERUSY Region
Conservative Judaism- Sudent Packet- Coutesy of NERUSY Region
Conservative Judaism- God, Tefillah and Halacha- Courtesy of EPA Region
Questions and Answers on Conservative Halacha
Conservative Judaism Lesson Plans- International Convention 1996
Emet V’emunah: Principles of Conservative Judaism
Emet V’emunah Mini Course
Conservative Judaism map of Halachik authority
Conservative Judaism Halachik decisionn making process

Derech Eretz

IC 2011 Derech Eretz Limud Guide- to be used with the Derech Eretz Texts Bifold below
Derech Eretz Texts and Sources Bifold (IC 2011)
Ethical dilemma and debate
Menschlechkeit
Be a Mensch Board Game (Kadima)
Being a Mensch using stories (Kadima)
NFL Lockout- ethics of greed using the NFL
Pidyon Shvyim: Redeeming Captives – Bringing Israel’s Soldiers Home- courtesy of AZM (American Zionist Movement)
Pidyon Shvuyim 2- courtesy of Hagalil USY
Pidyon Shvuyim - sources only
Pidyon Shvuyim 3
Derech Eretz and Rambam’s Ladder of Tzedaka- Courtesy of CHUSY Region

USY has published an enitre sourcebook on mitzvot relating to community responibility, including a chapter dedicated to Pidyon Shvuyim which includes activities on the topic. To order a copy of Tzarchei Tzibur: Community Repsonsibility, visit USCJ Book Service (look for a yellow coverd book). For sample pages, please email Amy Dorsch at dorsch@uscj.org

Disabilities

Differently-Abled - You will need the sourcebook “Who Makes People Different” for these sessions, available through USCJ Book Service.
Jewish Sign Language
Jewish Sign Language Workshop 2
Recognizing Differences Among Us
Disabilities and Language
Disabilities Awareness Program
Disabillities- taking action
Judaism and Disabilities- created by Ari Yares (see sources below for handout material)
Judaism and Disabilities sources
You’re a-MAZE-ing just the way you are- Simulations 1
Disabilities Simulations 2

Environment

*Check out the 2011 USY publication “Mah Gadlu Ma’asekha: Judaism and the Environment” available through USCJ Book Service. Complimentary lesson plans are available with book purchase by contacting Amy Dorsch.

Destrcution of the World- a reading, courtesy of the old USY Program Bank, comparing Creation in 7 days to destruction
Bal Taschit: Do not waste- Texts and discussion from CRUSY
Bal Taschit and Environment
Eco-Kashrut- Texts and discussion from Pinwheel USY
Environment 2008
The Giving Tree

Holidays

Channukah vs. Christmas- a story, discussion and values clarification exercise
Channukah Beyond Dreidels- a complete study packet courtesy of METNY USY
Don’t Be a Slave to the Seder
Tikkun Leyl Shavuot
High Holiday Program Book
Tu B’shvat Family Seder- a fanily program, courtesy of Foundation for Family Education (Rabbi Dov Barry Lerner)
Tisha B’av
Tisha B’av 2- Material formerly used on USY Israel Pilgrimage

Israel

*For online Israel Education sites, click on USY’s Jewish Resources page and scroll down to “Israel.”

59 Reasons to Love Israel- list of what makes Israel unique for Jews, add more depending on year of Israel’s Independence.
8th grade Israel Leadership/Teambuilding Program
Art of the Heart- Israel through Art
Israeli Stereotypes- Courtesy of ECRUSY
American-Israel relationship and the AB Yehoshua Debate- AB Yehoshua controversy on whether Israel needs American Jewish support courtesy of the American Jewish Committee.
Advocating for Israel 1
Advocating for Israel from Afar
American-Israeli streotypes- excellent to use before a trip to Israel to understand Israeli-American cultural differences
Anti-Israel activity on campus- for Seniors
Blessings for Israel- Blessings we say for Israel, creating your own
Build Israel- what does it take to build a Jewish state- Courtesy of SWUSY Region
Cafe Dilemma- a “menu” of dilemmas facing Israeli society
Israel in Birkat Hamazon
Images of Israel-Does an image, like a flag, affect the way we associate with Israel-COurtesy of Pinwheel
Jewish Idenity and Israel exercises

Aliyah

The following 5 programs are a joint collaboration between MERCAZ, the Zionist organization of the Conservative Movement and USY. Programs were prepared by Naomi Freedman, Shlichat Aliyah for the Conservative Movement and Amy Dorsch, USY Education Coordinator.

Program 1- the Levels of Aliyah
Program 2- Strangers at Home- The Challenges of Aliyah
Program 3- Conservative Aliyah- Is There a Place for Us?
Program 4- Is it a Mitzvah to Make Aliyah?
Program 5- It’s Your Right! Aliyah and the Law of Return

For lessons on Pidyon Shvuyim or redeeming Israel’s captive soldiers, please see the Derech Eretz or ethics section above.

Jewish Identity

Where Judaism Fits into my Life
Great Activities on Jewish Identity
Being Jewish in the “real world”- You will need the guidebook “That Thing Called Judaism” for these sessions
Losing Our Minds- Cults and Missionaries, using the film “The Wave”
Last American Jew - a provocative skit depicting the possibility of one remaining (North) American Jew
Choosing a Jewish path
Being Jewish in a Non-Jewish World
Interdating: The Dating game-a gameshow style activity to discuss interdating
Assimilation- a play
Jewish Values- Where do You Stand?- Courtesy of CHUSY

Kashrut

Visit to Supermarket- a hands-on experience to teach Kashrut
Eco-Kashrut and Hechsher Tzedek
“Bringing it Home”- Kashrut- a guide for those trying to keep Kosher in a home that may not be
Kashrut 101- the basics
Hechsher Tzedek- prepared for USY on Wheels 2009, special thanks to KOACH for sources
Kashrut Sources
Kashrut Basics- a “why”s and “how”s packet prepared for Wheels East 2009

Lifecycle

Game of Life- Courtesy of CRUSY region, an interactive human board game exploring Jewish life choices
Brit Milah and Simchat Bat
Brit Milah and Simchat Bat 2
Building a Jewish Home
Creating New Rituals- particularly suitable for discussing rituals associated with Jewish birth.
Dating and Marriage- please also refer to USY’s 2009 publication “Love Your Neighbor, Love Yourself: Building Healthy Relationships” for an entire chapter dedicated to dating and marriage in Jewish tradition.
Death and Ethical Wills
Mock Jewish Wedding- an interactive program exploring the different components to a Jewish wedding through various stations.

Misc.

Bullying- best suited for Kadima aged learners
Abortion and Judaism
Animal Testing
Cliques, Bullying and Tolerance- You will need a copy of USY sourcebook “Love Your Neighbor, Love Yourself: Building Healthy Relationships for these activities.
Dr. Suess Stories and Jewish Values
Disney Movies and Judaism- Courtesy of New Frontier, teaching Jewish concepts through related Disney movies and activities
Bullying, Cliques and Tolerance
Poland Pursuit- a simulation game of Jewish life in Poland before World War II- Courtesy of Nativ 1992-1993
Judaism Around the World (including Hekhsher Tzedek)
Assimilation – a play
Jewish concepts of Heroes
Tracing Your Ancestors
Keeping Your Promises- Courtesy of ECRUSY
Jews and the Media- Courtesy of Hagalil (2004)
Heroes- Courtesy of Hanefesh
Heroes- Jewish concepts of
Being Jewish in the “Real World” – courtesy of NERUSY
Losing Your Mind: Cults and Missionaries
Communication in Judaism- Courtesy of CHUSY

Shabbat

Activities and source packet- Courtesy of the old USY program bank, but still great!
Bringing it Home- a pamphlet about bring Shabbat into your weekly life
Ethical Dilemmas- Six discussion starters about Shabbat
Kavanot for Candle lighting
Kodesh v’Chol-discussion and texts about observing Shabbat
Observing Shabbat- a packet of activities about what Shabbat is about
Stories for Shabbat- a collection of stories that teach valuable lessons

Social Justice, Tzedakah and Tikun Olam

Sample Pages for Tzedakah: A Time for Change, USY Sourcebook, created by Danny Siegel and available for purchase through USCJ Book Service

Social Justice- Courtesy of Hagalil Kadima

Advocacy- Standing Up for what you believe in
Allocating Money- Tzedakah Dilemmas
Birkat Hamazon and Hunger
Defining Social Justice
Danny Siegel Principles of Tzedakah
Homelessness- A Trial
Everyday Heroes- social justice and advocacy
Hunger Simulation- a play
Hunger Simulation Program
Helping the Homeless in USY
Social Justice Haggadah- Courtesy of Temple Israel USY (NERUSY)
Giving Tzedakah (that will make a difference)
Poem on Making a Difference
Tzedakah vs. Gmilut Chasadim
Tzedakah texts- compiled by Danny Siegel
Texts on Justice
Social Action quotes
Making a Difference- Courtesy of Pinwheel USY
Global Issues, Jewish responses- Courtesy of Hanegev USY
Practical Tzedakah Projects
Poverty and Social Justice- you will need to update statistics on Poverty to use this
World Poverty Simulation- Courtesy of Hanegev USY

Danny Siegel Miztzvah Materials for USY:

Tefillah

Please refer to the Creative Tefillah page for additional creative service ideas.

Service outlines/Matbe’ah Tefillah - Assembled by Judah Kerbel
Bringing Tefillah to Life- A walkthrough curriculum of the siddur and prayer srevice
Creative Tefillah Guide – Kabbalat Shabbat and Maariv
Creative Tefillah Guide – Shabbat Shacharit
Creative Tefillah Guide – Shabbat Mincha
Creative Tefillah Guide – Shabbat Maariv and Havdalah
I Am My Prayer - Courtesy of the Rakevet Division of METNY Region
Body Language and Movement in Tefillah
Art projects to enhance your Tefillah - Courtesy of Hagalil Region
God in Prayer
Using Multiple Intelligences in Tefillah
So You Think You Can Daven Tefillah Competition - Courtesy of Seaboard Region
Making Meaning of the Kabbalat Shabbat Service
Tefillin Barbie: Females and Tefillin - Encourage more of your female students to observe the mitzvah of Tefillin with this girls-only program.
Tefillin Instructions
Trienial Torah Cycle
Sedra Scenes-Have your students create a short play about the weekly parsha. Here are some from Hanegev USYers: Chayei Sarah, KiTisa, KiTavo, Beshalach, Tzav, Vayakel-Pekudai, Pekudai, Vaera, Tetzaveh, Vayikrah, Tazria-Metzora, Shemini

Theology

IC 2012 theology- use with Keepin the Faith and God on Trial Bifolds
An Interview with God
3 sessions on Theology - part of the USY on Wheels 2008 curriculum, includes Conservative perspectives on God
Visual images of God - to be used with the above unit “3 sessions on Theology”
Faith (Emunah)- Courtesy of Seaboard USY
Are You There God?- Courtesy of Hagalil USY
Why Bad Things Happen to Good People- arguments to support and contradict Harold’s Kushner’s theories
Children’s Letters to God- based on the book edited by Stuart Hample and Eric Marshall , an excellent, lighter way to begin a deep, complicated conversation.
Willing, Learning, Striving- a Conservative Jewish curriculum on Faith and Theology
Faith interview and God Beliefs Questionaire - Courtesy of USY Publication “Higher and Higher: Making Jewish Prayer Part of Us”
Gender Based Images of God- reccommended use with Names of God from Higher and Higher: Making Jewish Prayer Part of Us
God Beliefs- diversity of God Beliefs, different perspectives on God
Oh God! Script excerpts- scenes from the classic George Burns film “Oh God” (Available on DVD via Amazon), an excellent Shabbat-frinedly tool to use to discuss conversations with God, belief in God.
Perspectives on Revelation- cross denominational perspectives on Revelation- courtesy of USY Publication “Conservative Judaism: Our Ancestors to Our Descendents”
Holocaust and Faith
Sources on Sadness and Suffering
Spiritual Development activities
What If God Was One of Us? A Theology Activity that illustrates Active Learning techniques