Performance of the mitzvah of tzedakah is, ideally, a holistic part of life, not an activity to be performed when all others have been completed! This lesson offers a classic model of how that ideal was realized by one of our Sages, Rabbi Tanchum, and how our families might...
The featured folktales explore themes of helping people make judgments of integrity in different situations.
Learners are introduced to the concept of philanthropy, as giving time, talent, or treasure and taking action for the common good. They evaluate the role of philanthropy in the smooth functioning of government, and describe the role of families in shaping...
Learners explore the meaning of playing by the rules and making personal choices that support the common good. They discuss how people could respond with honesty and dishonesty to the same situation.
Youth learn about basic human rights and discuss whether everyone deserves these rights. In addition, they reflect on examples of human kindness and collective action for the common good.
The participants will distinguish the difference between wants and needs and learn that many times refugees are without basic needs. They respond to a story about a refugee camp, “Four Feet, Two Sandals” and come to a consensus on a service project to benefit refugees or others in need, and plan...
With guidance from a local environmental agency, prepare the youth in advance of volunteering their time to clean up a lake or river for the common good. Arrange a field trip that includes picking up trash and recording the data.
We define the nonprofit, or third, sector and explain why it is important as an alternative power structure.
Discuss and evaluate personal beliefs and attitudes about the treatment of animals, especially applied to sports and entertainment. We explore how laws and beliefs concerning animal welfare affect personal responses to animal treatment.
The learners read the metaphor drawings of the other groups and copy strong words and phrases that help define trustworthiness. They identify traits of people they know (including themselves) and write a definition of trustworthy.