|
Jewish Responsibility to Judaism
Goals:
1) To identify tangible ways to connect to Judaism in order to instill a
long-lasting sense of belonging in the Jewish Community.
2) To evoke a sense of responsibility to study Judaism in order to be able to teach
it to forthcoming generations.
3) To realize the immensity and intensity of Judaism through an understanding that
Jews have been making the similar journeys and facing similar situations for thousands of
years and continue to do so today.
Objectives:
1) Participants will read and discuss excerpts and relate them to their personal
experiences with Judaism.
2) Participants will create a list of ways in which they can connect to and enhance
their Judaism.
3) Participants will discuss the concept of N'shama and the responsibility to know
your heritage and pass it on..(from the time you take your first breath, you have uttered
the name of God and have begun life as a Jew).
Time Table:
0:00-0:09 Introduction story (Rabbi Weber) and Group locations announced
0:09-0:15 Break into groups
0:15-0:25 Group introduction and mixer
0:25-0:45 Read and Discuss Excerpts
0:45-0:55 Create list of ways to connect to Judaism
0:55-1:10 Discuss Into Story and L'dor Vador
1:10-1:15 Reconvene
1:15-1:20 Conclusion
Materials:
Copies of Excerpt Sheets for All Participants
One piece of Butcher paper per Group
A few Markers per Group
One copy of the Summary of Into. Story for all Participants
Detailed Procedure:
0:00-0:09 Intro story (Rabbi Weber) and Group locations announced
-Story will be about the Soul and the concept of being a Jew from the time you take your
first breath.
0:09-0:15 Break into groups
0:15-0:25 Group introduction and mixer
Go around the group and say names and answer the following questions: "How do
you identify or connect with your Judaism?" If they are having trouble coming up with
some answers, here are some suggestions to get them thinking: Wear a Jewish star or
other symbol, go to Hebrew School, TYG and (Your Region), Going to Shabbat or Holiday
services, say Motzi/Birkat Hamazon, or light Shabbot Candles.
0:25-0:45 Read and Discuss Excerpts
Excerpt #1:
I was at one of my Youth Group events the other day, and the board members responsible for
the event just weren't taking charge. There was so much to be done and no one would
just take the initiative and do it. Everyone sat around and complained about what
had to be done, but no one volunteered. Well, after a little while, I just got sick
of it. I stood up and did what had to be done and what everyone wanted. I'm
not one to be a leader, but someone needed to make everyone happy.
Excerpt #2
I got in a huge fight with my brother the other day. Some people can be so selfish.
I always wonder if he was switched at birth and if we're not really related.
We are so different. But it was Hanukkah and our mom called us over to light
the menorahs. I guess we just sort of forgot that we didn't like each other.
The tradition just sort of brought us back together.
Excerpt #3
My first conclave was last year and I knew no one. I got to this dirty camp where
everyone seemed to know each other and acted really strange. I just wanted to go
home, back to normal people. But before I made it to the pay-phone to call my
mother, a bunch of different people came over and introduced themselves and started
introducing me to everyone around. Everyone was really friendly and happy to be
together. I felt welcomed into a Jewish community that I hadn't known before.
Excerpt #4
I had a really horrible time in my life a few months ago. Every time I thought that
things couldn't get worse, they did. I was really devastated and I began to question
God. How could I believe in a Got that let all this happen to me? I had hit
rock bottom. And then I started to lift out of it and everything started to come
back together. I don't know why all that horrible stuff had to happen, especially
not all at once, but I realize that a lot of good came from it. God challenged me
and lifted me up.
Excerpt #5
I was the only Jew in my school and I felt really ostracized. No one knew anything
about me and they didn't understand that I wasn't one of them. For so long I wanted
to be a Christian, I just wanted to fit in. But in my heart I am a Jew, and I can't
pretend that I'm not. When I was little, and we were the only family without a
Christmas tress, I used to want to move away to somewhere where Christmas trees didn't
exist. I wanted to be a proud Jew, and I felt like I needed to leave in order to do
it.
Discussion Questions
1) Has anyone had a similar experiences to any of these?
2) Do you think these are common experiences? Why?
3) Is it comforting to anyone to know that others feel the same way as you?
4) Do you feel connected to other Jews because of similar situations?
5) Does being Jewish ever make your family feel more connected?
6) Do you feel the same when you are with all Jews, like in NFTY, as you do when
with a mixed group? Do you like the feeling of being with all Jews?
0:45-0:55 Create list of ways to connect to Judaism
1. Take out the butcher paper and appoint a few scribes.
2. "We are going to make a list of all different ways that people can
identify with and connect to Judaism. Remember that you can list things that are
ways to connect even if you don't ever see yourself doing them. For instance, if you
don't believe in Kashrut, you can still list it as one way that some may be able to
connect to their Judaism."
3. Start with the things that people said during the mixer.
4. Make sure that these things are mentioned in your group: going to
Israel, observing the Holidays, observing Shabbot, lighting Shabbot candles, studying
Torah, going to Hebrew school, learning, and going to services. These do not have to
be your main points, but I want to make sure that they are included in every group!!
5. Here are some Discussion Questions to further the discussion:
-What do you do on a daily basis that's Jewish? Weekly? Monthly? Yearly?
-What traditions or rituals are you curious about that you may want to begin to do in your
life?
-What traditions do you want to pass on to your children?
-How could you further include Judaism in your life?
-What traditions do you see having value for you 20 years down the road?
0:55-1:10 Discuss Into Story and L'dor Vador
1:10-1:15 Reconvene
1:15-1:20 Conclusion
You guys did a great job compiling the lists. They will be
hung up in ____ for everyone to look at. Please take some time to read them, because
you may find something that interests you.
Everyone remember back to a little while ago when you were reading the
excerpts written by the anonymous conclave participants...Judaism has lasted thousands of
years and every Jew has continued on the journey that thousands before him has walked.
We are a part of something that has truly withstood and continues to withstand the
test of time. And we can relate to all the generations before us. The excerpts
that you read and discussed are related to yourself were the stories of Aaron, Jacob,
Noah, Judah Macabee, and the Strangers who were welcomed into Abraham's tent.
Thousands of years ago they had experiences through their Judaism that we continue
to have today.
Judaism is part of every Jew from the time that the soul enters the body, the time of the
first breath. We all have a responsibility to learn as much as we can about it in
order to pass that knowledge on to our children. And what we learn and what we do
will enhance and beautify our lives in the long run. Being a part of a Jewish
community doesn't end after NFTY. We can all go on to Hillel at college and join a
Synagogue family wherever life may take us. Take advantage of the fact that your
Judaism connects you to so many people around you.
Judaism has lasted thousands of years and has enhanced the lives of billions, if not more,
people. Each one of us is an intricate and important part of Judaism and we each
have to fulfill our responsibilities. We all have the amazing opportunity to take
part in a journey that can be fulfilling and beautiful if we only allow it to be.
|