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The Sneeches
Goals:
1. To understand that discrimination among various sects of Judaism is
inappropriate.
2. To show that Reform Jews have the potion to interpret Halacha, (Jewish Law),
based upon an educated decision.
3. To show that other sects of Judaism are thought to interpret more according to
the Torah than the Reform Jews.
Objective
1. To have the participants recognize the intolerance and prejudice amongst
different groups of people.
Timetable:
0:00-0:05 Break into groups
0:05-0:20 Create your own sneetch (in groups of 5)
0:20-0:25 Read pp. 1-21 out loud (in smaller groups of 5)
0:25-0:35 Discuss book (in groups of 5)
0:35-0:40 Complete reading book (in the groups of 5)
0:40-1:00 Complete discussion (in groups of 10)
1:00-1:15 Reconvene and Wrap up
Materials:
Picture of Sneech-9w/9without stars (for each group of 5)
45 yarn w/stars-to be worn throughout entire program
20 pieces of white cardboard
10 boxes of markers
10 white glues
Pencils
Crayons
Glitter
Make (cut out) 9 semi-large stars for cardboard sneetch (construction paper)
Copy of book -1 per group
Big brown bags for materials, and if needed smaller lunch bags
Procedure:
0:00-0:05 Break into groups
-Break into groups of 10
-Pass out materials for sneeches. All the materials should be in small brown bags.
If the bag has a star on it then that person is going to make a stared sneech. Give
one bag per person. Make sure that 5 people have stars and 5 people don't.
-Subdivide into groups of 5
0:05-0:20 Create your own sneech (in groups of 5)
-draw sneech (w/wo star-depending upon whether you are a star or not)
-color and be creative
-clean-up supplies
0:20-0:25 Read pp. 1-21 out loud (in groups of 5)
-This is the climax, we want to discuss the plot before the conclusion and solution are
given away.
0:25-0:35 Discuss group (in groups of 5)
1. Would you alter your physical appearance, so that you are accepted by others (Why
of why not?)
2. Would you act differently in order to fit into a certain group: (Why or why not?)
(relate to pages 19 & 20 of book)
3. Have you ever modified your appearance to feel more accepted (wore certain
clothes, walked a certain way, etc.) Did it feel like the "real you"?
4. How do you think you would feel if you were never able to modify your appearance,
outward or how you look? (removal of a kipah, change clothes, different ethnicity,
physical disability)
0:35-0:40 Complete reading book (in groups of 5)
-After your group is done reading the book wait for the other 5 people in the group to
finish.
0:40-1:00 Complete discussion (in groups of 10)
Reform Jews have to be informed-then and only then can they make their choices on how
to interpret the various laws of the Jewish faith..
1) What makes Reform Jews different from all other Jews?
-We are given the choice of how we want to interpret Halacha.
-Doesn't matter how strictly we interpret Halacha-if you consider yourself Jewish, it
doesn't matter what other people say.
-It is optional for the men of out Reform movement to wear Kipot?
-The reasoning behind this is because in the western world it is polite to remove your
hat.
-We still celebrate Shabbat as a more special day of the week, yet the Reform movement has
the choice of complying with the 39 halachic prohibitions.
-We believe in Maternal and paternal Judaism-if either your mother or father is Jewish,
then you are.
-We have the choice of whether or not to keep Kosher.
Reform Jews have to be informed-then and only then can they make their choice on how to
interpret the various laws of the Jewish faith
2) Orthodox Jews point of view concerning the Reform movement:
-Less religious, therefore less Jewish
-Not real Jews because we don't observe properly
-Reform is a lazy person's Judaism
-Reform is the final step before abandoning Judaism
-Reform Jews are less religious than traditional Jews
-Reform Judaism is not Torah-true, therefore it is not authentic Judaism
-Reform Jews oppose the wearing of a Kipah
-Reform Jews do not observe the Shabbat
-The Orthodox believe in only Matrilineal decent (only the mother can be Jewish in order
for the child to be Jewish)
3) In Israel it is a political issue
-comes down to how we view the Torah-we are not thought to be Torah-true
4) In general how does this program relate to your everyday life?
5) Does anyone have any stories of past prejudice experience that they would like
to share?
6) Any last comments questions?
1:00-1:15 Reconvene and Wrap up
-State how s/he hopes everyone learned of the differences and intolerance's amongst Jews
and with people in general.
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