Learning to Give, Curriculum Division of The LEAGUE

The LEAGUE

Sacred Giving: Why? (Private-Religious)
Lesson 1:
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Lesson
Handouts
Academic Standards
Philanthropy Framework
6th-8th Grade
Subjects:

Language Arts, Philanthropy and Social Studies

Key Words/Concepts click to view
ELA: Expository Writing; Personal Response; Point of View; Summary/Paraphrase.; Theme; Viewpoint; Vocabulary
PHIL: Judaism; Justice; Kindness; Traditions; Values
SOC: Analyze/Interpret.; Compare/Contrast, Religion; Ethics; Parochial

Purpose:

Learners will develop an understanding of the differences between the secular concepts of charity and philanthropy and the Jewish concept of tzedakah.

Duration:

One-Fifty Minute Class Period

Objectives:

The learner will:

  • define the words charity, philanthropy, and tzedakah.
  • compare and contrast the words charity, philanthropy, and tzedakah.

Service Experience:

Although this lesson contains a service project example, decisions about service plans and implementation should be made by students, as age appropriate.

A field trip to a Jewish Community Center to see examples of tzedakah in daily Jewish living could be scheduled. Speakers from the Jewish Federation could also be invited into the classroom to speak to the learners about tzedakah.

Materials:

  • Road maps, road signs, computer-generated map directions, map search sites, samples of Jewish texts
  • Copies of the Torah or Genesis 18:16-19 (Both Hebrew and English texts recommended)
  • Attachment One: Sacred Giving: The Root
  • Attachment Two: Sacred Giving: Idea Exchange
Handout 1
Sacred Giving: The Root
Handout 2
Sacred Giving: Idea Exchange

Instructional Procedure(s):

Anticipatory Set:
Display any number of the following items: road maps, road signs, computer-generated directions, and/or map-search sites, along with Jewish texts (books or single pages). Ask learners what these items have in common. (Each item offers a method to determine one’s direction, either literally traveling on a physical road or on the road of life!)

  • Distribute copies of the Torah or copies of Genesis 18:16-19, in both Hebrew and English.

Teacher Note: Interlinear Hebrew-English is the most desirable. (See Biographical Reference)

  • Ask learners to determine, based on the text, what are the “ways of God” that the Jewish people are to follow. (The text defines the “ways of God” as doing what is just and right; doing tzedakah.)

  • Distribute Attachment One: Sacred Giving: The Root. The learners might work in pairs to complete the task.

  • Summarize the learners’ findings in discussion. Record their comments on a class size version of Attachment One: Sacred Giving: The Root.

Teacher Note: While all three concepts share the idea of humanity’s participation in the world around them, both charity and philanthropy are based on caring and goodwill. Tzedakah, on the other hand, is a religious obligation, not at all dependent upon an individual’s choice.


  • Distribute Attachment Two: Sacred Giving: Idea Exchange allowing time for the learners to complete the attachment comparing and contrasting the three words.  Have the learners share and discuss their responses.

Assessment:

Use the learners’ completion of Attachment Two: Sacred Giving: Idea Exchange as an assessment to check their understanding of tzedakah.

Bibliographical References:

  • Kohlenberger, John R. III (editor). Interlinear Hebrew-English Old Testament, Regency Reference Library, Zondervan Publishing House, Grand Rapids, MI. 1993. ISBN: 978-0310402008

Lesson Developed and Piloted by:

Shira Hammerman
Areyvut
http://www.areyvut.org
New York, NY 10018

Handouts:

Handout 1Print Handout 1

Sacred Giving: The Root

Directions:  Fill in each box with the appropriate responses.

 

DERIVATION
(The source of the word)


MOTIVATION
(According to the meaning of the word, why do it?)


OBLIGATION
(Based on the meaning of the word, who does it?)        

CHARITY


Latin:
caritas, dearness, love
dearness, love 

    

PHILANTHROPY 


Greek:
philos, loving;
anthropos loving; man 

    

TZEDAKAH 


Hebrew:
justice, righteousness justice, righteousness
 

    

 

Working with the words:

  1. Compare charity, philanthropy and tzedakah. What similarities did you find? What viewpoints do they share?



     
  2. Contrast charity, philanthropy and tzedakah. How do they differ? What vocabulary or voice does tzedakah introduce?




  3. What are some universal themes that we can infer from all of the words?




  4. What is the particular religious perspective that the concept of tzedakah adds?

 


Handout 2Print Handout 2

Sacred Giving: Idea Exchange

  • The following words relate to some or all of the concepts: charity, philanthropy and tzedakah.
  • Where appropriate, explain how the concept pertains to the idea of charity, philanthropy and tzedakah.
  • There are no “right” or “wrong” answers. Your explanation should support your thinking!

Concept

Charity

Philanthropy

 Tzedakah


Kindness

      


Justice

      


Obligation

      


Traditions

      


Values

      


Altruism

      


Empathy

      


Cooperation
 

      


Religious
Perspective

      


Ennobled Self
 

      


Friendship

      

Philanthropy Framework:

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