Learning to Give, Curriculum Division of The LEAGUE
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Unit Overview:
Unit Purpose:
This unit demonstrates that charity is a fundamental concept of Judaism. It engages students not only in the learning, but through performing acts of charity.
Focus Questions:
What is tzedakah?
Why is tzedakah important for both the person who gives and receives?
Is tzedakah only about giving money?
Unit Objectives:
The learner will:
- differentiate between wants and needs.
- give reasons why certain items are indeed necessary.
- demonstrate an understanding of the pasuk in Isaiah 58:7.
- compile a list of ways he/she can help people who lack basic needs.
- define the words tzedek, tzedakah and philanthropy.
- indicate knowledge of the kinds and quality of items that can be donated.
- participate in the decision-making process of how to collect and where to store donated items.
- take an active role in organizing and running the drive.
- communicate to others the importance of participating in the drive.
- influence others to donate to the drive through writing or preparing a speech.
- estimate and research the cost of a nutritious meal.
- demonstrate a sense of what constitutes a nutritious meal.
- add the price of four food items.
- present his/her menu orally to the class.
- communicate (orally or in writing) the importance of giving tzedakah.
- help raise money to pay for a meal.
Service Experience:
Lesson One: Students will plan a drive (e.g. clothing or food drive) to help provide others with basic needs.
Lesson Two: Students will actively participate in all aspects of the class drive to collect items to donate to a chosen charity. They plan, manage, and advertise the drive to parents and/or other students.
Lesson Three: Students will collect tzedakah to pay for a meal.
Unit Assessment:
Assessment will be based upon the students’ participation in class, through observation of their questions, enthusiasm, and ideas.
School/Home Connection:
“Copy-and-Paste” Class/School Newsletter Information Insert:
Using traditional Jewish texts as a basis, students will learn about the concept of Tzedakah (charity). Through three different lessons, the students will receive a solid foundation and understanding that there is more to this mitzvah than putting coins into a box. The students (while quite young) will have the opportunity to better understand where the money that is collected goes by making that decision as a class. Students will also take the lessons they learned from the classroom and spread them throughout the school. There will be a link between classroom lessons, actions, and experiences to emphasize the importance of the mitzvah of Tzedakah.Interactive Parent / Student Homework:
Students will be asked to collect items from home to donate for the drive (food, toys, or clothing).
Students will encourage parents to give tzedakah by donating small change to the box designated for the school tzedakah project.
Notes for Teaching:
Tzedakah is the Hebrew word for charity. For more sources on tzedakah see www.mazon.org (under “Jewish texts on Hunger and Poverty”) or www.just-tzedakah.org.
Information on specific charitable organizations is readily available online. A great resource for ideas can be found at www.ziv.org. There are links to many different charities listed under “LINKS.”
State Curriculum and Philanthropy Theme Frameworks:
See individual lessons for benchmark detail.
Lessons Developed and Piloted By:
Rachel Rothner
Areyvut
http://www.areyvut.org
147 South Washington Avenue
Bergenfield, NJ 07621
All rights reserved. Permission is granted to freely use this information for nonprofit (noncommercial), educational purposes only. Copyright must be acknowledged on all copies.