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Rationale
Depth and meaning in Jewish learning is necessary to reduce the staggering rates of post-b’nei mitzvah dropout. We believe that a root cause of these challenges is the perception that b’nei mitzvah celebrations are like graduation ceremonies.
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Teaching Children about Asking Forgiveness (Slicha)
Spilled cereal? “Sorry!” Broken bongos? “Oops!” Overturned plant? “Sorry!” Stolen comic book? Accusations fly and tears fall as the cloud playhouse and Plony home confront the chaos of careless apologies and misplaced blame. A laser beam trap and giant basketball magically help Rafi and Ben learn that sometimes just saying sorry isn’t enough.
Stories We Tell: The Wooden Sword
Once, there was a king who set out on a mission in his kingdom to learn about his reputation. He travelled from town to town and eventually met a happy old man and his wife. After asking them why they were so joyous, they replied, “God takes care of us.” The king was furious—it’s him who takes care of the people, not God! What the man and his wife do next teach everyone in the kingdom, including the king, what it means to be taken care of. Rabbi Mark Kaiserman, the rabbi at Reform Temple of Forest Hills retells the story. For a written version, see “The Wooden Sword” in The Jewish Story Finder by Sharon Barcan Elswit.
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Six Word Passover Poetry
This activity can be done in the days or weeks leading up to Passover or during your seder with a group of any size. It’s appropriate for families, kids who can write, chavruta (pairs of study partners) or even individuals pondering the upcoming holiday.
The Poor People's Campaign: A National Call for Moral Revival
Amid the tumult of the Civil Rights Movement in the 1960s, Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was creating another movement. Led by Rev. Dr.
Food, Kids, and Shavuot: A Winning Combo for the Holiday
Shavuot celebrates the giving of Torah (the first five books of the Hebrew Bible) to the Jewish people at Mount Sinai. Here are several activities that can help young children connect the holiday of Shavuot with Torah.
Podcast: Why Marriage Equality is a Reform Jewish Value
Hear why marriage equality is a Reform Jewish value.
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On the Other Hand: Ten Minutes of Torah - Vayeilech: The Sacred Art of Letting Go
Parashat Vayeilech is read between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, a time of transition for all of us. We've brought in the new year with hopes, prayers, and the shofar, and we look toward Yom Kippur, where we are tasked with letting go of the last year and moving forward.
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On the Other Hand: Ten Minutes of Torah - Nitzavim: Standing for What Matters Most
At the beginning of Parashat Nitzavim, we hear the phrase, "Today you are all standing." This phrase isn't referring to people simply standing, it means that the Jewish people stood together and entered into a Covenant, affirming the things that matter most.
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