Index+of+best+practices



__**General Knowledge & Bibliography**__
 * This is a course outline for a wide-reaching course, 26 sessions. It is built around the song "//Echad MiYodeah//?" Who knows one? The included bibliography is incomplete and includes no articles or Hebrew texts at this point. //Beth Sholom, Potomac// ([|Course Outline – Echad MiYodeah.pdf])
 * Foods of the Bible - Used this to get adults to consider what life was life in the Biblical Period. A great family education experience especially if includes a chesed component. Collection of sources and citations, from a website (noted in the file) and the Encyclopedia Judaica. //Beth Sholom, Potomac:// [|Foods of the Bible.pdf]
 * Etz Chaim Seeds of Knowledge group and family activities [|description] and overview [|(Baltimore Hebrew Congregation. Baltimore, MD)]
 * Learn more about each other before a program begins by playing this simple ice breaker. Like Herzl-Ner Tamid Congregation in Seattle, ask your attendees to bring fill out the answers to these [|questions] and to bring in a baby picture of themselves. Then create small stories about the baby pictures and hang them on the wall. Hand out a new set of questions to the antendees and have them fill it out and learn more about their cohorts as this fun game goes on.

__**Hebrew**__
 * Overview of project to expand use of Hebrew in congregational education [|(Beth Am, Los Altos, CA)]
 * Poster used to advertise our Ulpan - a two week intensive Hebrew Course. //Beth Sholom, Potomac// ([|Beth Sholom Ulpan Poster.pdf])
 * Here's a [|project] for young children that pairs learning Hebrew and creative art from Beth El of Baltimore, MD.


 * **__Thanksgiving__**
 * Lesson plan and text for a pre-Thanksgiving program, connected to our synagogue's coat drive and project preparing gifts for an inner-city elementary school. Intergenerational program with adults and children working side by side. [[file:Learning component for Sunday, Nov. 18.doc]]
 * Creative "mincha" service that followed the above activities linking prayer to the study and action [[file:Outline for Bonim B'yachad mincha.doc]]


 * __**Tu Bishvat**__
 * An intergenerational learning kit for the entire family: [|Beth Israel, Omaha NE]


 * __Israel__**
 * Lesson plan and activities for all ages for teaching about Israel and //Klal Yisrael//: [|Beth Elohim, Wellesley, MA]


 * __Jewish ethics (mussar):__**
 * //Bal taschit//, conservation ([|Beth El-Keser Israel, New Haven CT])
 * //Kibbud Av v'Em//, honoring parents [|(Netivot Shalom, Berkeley, CA)]
 * //Lev tov,// cultivating a good heart [|(Netivot Shalom, Berkeley, CA)]
 * //Ma'akeh//, avoiding danger [|(Netivot Shalom, Berkeley, CA)]
 * //Shmi'at ha-ozen//, being a good listener [|(Netivot Shalom, Berkeley, CA])
 * //Sh'mirat Ha-Guf//, guarding the body [|(Netivot Shalom, Berkeley, CA])


 * __Jewish Journey:__**
 * Journal covers, a project for the family [|(Beth El So.Orange County, Aliso Viejo, CA)]
 * Family Journal Project "a reflection of the family and its experiences in this program" [|(Beth El So. Orange County, Aliso Viejo, CA)]
 * Your Journey to Judaism: A program that includes Havdalah and involves both the whole community with specialized programs for both children and adults: [|(Shaar Zahav, SanFrancisco, CA)]


 * __Shabbat__**
 * Lesson plan and activities for all ages about Shabbat ([|Beth Elohim, Wellesley, MA)]
 * Overview of plan to create Shabbat morning intergenerational learning [|(Beth Am, Los Altos, CA)]
 * Challah Covers with artistic expression [|(Beth El So. Orange County, Aliso Viejo, CA)]
 * A meaningful Shabbat experience through Learning and Community Building [|(Beth El, Bennington VT)]
 * "The Effects of Systematic Change": [|(Sinai Synagogue, S. Bend, IN)] adds music to their Shabbat educational program without the use of instruments. After bringing Yoshie Fruchter to teach music to the class a chain reaction of musical connectivity in the congregation began:
 * It is always important to have someone at your Shabbat table who is animated and personable but also knows all of the laws and can facilitate a perfect and soulful Shabbat meal. Take a look at Temple Beth Shalom of Long Beach's description of a [|Shabbat Table Animator].
 * In addition to an animated Shabbat meal, your Shabbat table should be filled with meaningful prayers, blessings and inspiring words. Temple Beth Shalom of Long Beach compiled some [|blessings]to be said at the table, as well as a short sermon to be [|handed out] or read.
 * Hassidic stories to be used in preparation for Shabbat from Temple Beth El of So. Orange County, Aliso Viejo CA: [|Hassidic stories].


 * __Special Needs & Inclusion__**
 * Source sheet for discussion of Yitz Greenberg's Three Dignities from Beth Sholom's 'Disability Awareness Shabbat.' //Beth Sholom, Potomac// ([|sources da shabbat.pdf])
 * A 'poem' from the viewpoint of a individuals with differences. //Beth Sholom, Potomac// [|The Synagogues We Belong To.pdf]
 * A short halakhic digest that discusses various issues in Jewish law such as hearing aides, and the categories of deaf and mute. //Beth Sholom, Potomac// ([|special needs and halakha.pdf])


 * __Tikkun Olam__**
 * First and second grade family tikkun olam project [|(Community Synagogue, Rye, NY)]
 * Darfur and Pesah -- study materials for all ages [|(Beth Elohim, Wellesley, MA)]
 * Wrestling with Making a Difference in the World -- all ages study for Purim [|(Kol HaLev, University Heights, OH)]
 * Wrestling with Our Impact on the Environment -- all ages study [|(Kol HaLev, University Heights, OH)]
 * Giving back to society by donating Prescription glasses those in need [|(Beth Israel, Owings Mills, MD)]

__**Resources for Prayer Services**__
 * General [|overview] of daily and Shabbat prayer requirements (Ikar, Los Angeles, CA)


 * __Critical Questions__**
 * Here are some critical [|questions] from Herzle-Ner Tamid Congregation that can be used in any program.
 * Some more critical and meaningful [|questions] from Temple Israel of New Rochelle that can be used in any program.


 * __Fun Projects__**
 * Beth El Congregation in Baltimore created this fun and informative [|project] for young children centered on the story of the Tower of Babel.
 * Here is another fun and classic [|art project], appropriate for all weeks, from Beth El of Baltimore- this time we're making challah covers!