Jewish Educational Resources
Jewish text and tradition provides a clear mandate to work towards the eradication of inequality and can be a key source of motivation for synagogue-based social justice programs. The following activities, lesson plans, and articles link Jewish teachings and homelessness. Refer to the General Social Justice section of this guide for more Jewish resources. The following materials could work in classroom, youth-group, or adult meeting settings. To borrow the following materials from our collection, or for more information on placing orders, contact JCRC at tzedekresources@jcrcboston.org or 617-457-8600.
Classroom Learning Activities
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The Dynamics of Tzedakah: From Dependence to Dignity is a curriculum for advanced high school students or adult study groups. This curriculum contains essays and texts that examine the struggle of giving tzedakah without promoting dependency or injuring the pride of the recipient. The curriculum is produced by the Shalom Hartman Institute and can be ordered by calling 212-772-9711. The Shalom Hartman Institute website can be found at
http://www.hartmaninstitute.com/.
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F.I.A.T.’s Faith-Based Reflection and Action Materials seek to give a face to homelessness. Study questions ask participants to consider the most likely ways to successfully eradicate homelessness. These materials were created specifically for non-denomination faith-based settings and are appropriate for synagogues. F.I.A.T. (Faith Into Action Together), of the Massachusetts Coalition for the Homeless, is a group that works to mobilize religious communities to end homelessness. For information, call 617-423-9162. The F.I.A.T. (Faith Into Action Together) website can be found at
http://www.mahomeless.org/programs/fiat.html.
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The Homelessness Simulation Game, produced by the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism, gives participants a chance to understand some causes of homelessness through role-plays. While it was designed for high school students, this lesson plan can be modified for younger students. The Homelessness Simulation Game can be found at
http://ajritz.com/jew/homesim.doc (when asked for password, click cancel). The Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism website can be found at
http://www.rac.org/.
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The Housing and Community Sabbath Resource Guide is designed for youth learners. It includes Jewish sources, activities, background information, discussion questions and follow-up projects related to homelessness. This curriculum, produced by the Fifth Avenue Committee non-profit focused on community organizing and affordable housing, can be ordered at 718-857-2990. The website can be found at
http://www.fifthave.org/.
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The Involvement Theatre Program on Homelessness, produced by the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism involves teachers acting as different characters affected by homelessness. This program facilitates learning about issues related to homelessness by asking participants to give the characters advice. It is most appropriate for teens and could be adapted for family learning.
http://ajritz.com/jew/theatre.doc. The Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism website can be found at
http://www.rac.org/.
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Judaism and Urban Poverty Curriculum; An Exploration of Urban Poverty in the Light of Jewish Tradition aims to raise awareness about the experience of living in poverty. In the activity, students discuss difficult choices and learn how to affect the system and eliminate the causes of poverty. Simultaneously, students discuss traditional Jewish responses to poverty from Maimonides and other sources. A recommended field trip exposes students to poverty in their area and provides a means for direct action. This curriculum is produced by the Jewish Council on Urban Affairs and can be ordered by calling 312-663-0960. The Jewish Council on Urban Affairs website can be found at
http://www.jcua.org/.
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The Tzedakah Fellowship Curriculum: Giving and Organizing for Positive Social Change. Readings address various aspects of poverty from historic, economic, and religious perspectives, and are accompanied by study questions and work sheets. There are six lesson plans geared towards middle school students and an accompanying teachers’ guide. This curriculum, produced by the Jewish Fund for Justice, can be ordered by calling 212-213-2113. The Jewish Fund for Justice website can be found at
http://www.jfjustice.org/.
Articles
