This is an excerpt of a full curricular session written for an American audience. It was inspired by the work of Civic Spirit, a multifaith organization devoted to fostering informed and adept members of American societies.
Moving Traditions partner educators can access the full session in our Curriculum Portal. Not yet a partner? Request access free to our Special Edition sessions.
Jewish American Legacies
SAY:
American Jews have a long history of civic engagement. We’re going to learn about four such people. You are not expected to agree with their ideas. We’re not learning them as heroes or as villains. This is about understanding different models of Jewish civic engagement, not debating their politics.
DISTRIBUTE the Jewish American Legacies handout. After about 5-10 minutes, INVITE your teen to share briefly who they learned about and how that person related to their Jewish identity. REFLECT on differences and similarities between stories (such as Bella Abzug and Ruth Bader Ginsburg both experiencing a feminist awakening when trying to say Kaddish for a parent.)
Optional
Time permitting, TAPE each portrait in a different corner of the room. READ each prompt below and instruct participants to move to the corner that best matches their response to the prompt. After each prompt, INVITE a few participants to share why they are standing where they are.
- What type of civic engagement do you find most compelling, or could most see yourself doing one day?
- Which civic figure relates to their Jewish identity in a way that feels most familiar for you?
- Which civic figure do you think most challenges the stereotype of how a Jewish leader “should” act or look like?
Group Craft (10 minutes)
LAY OUT butcher paper and art supplies in a central location (construction paper, magazines, stencils, pipe cleaners, scissors, etc. — whatever you have on hand is perfect!)
SAY:
We’re going to create our own symbols of America that reflect our values as modern Jews. We’re going to create a sort of “flag” together. You can use any art supplies, cut from magazines, or even cut your handouts to use words or images from them. Everyone will add their symbol to the butcher paper. You can be creative and interpretive, but you will need to be able to explain what you created and how it relates to your values as an American Jew.
ALLOW a few minutes for creation, then INVITE participants to share what they added to the “flag” and what it represents.