Once upon a time, when the grandchildren of my students were, like myself, in Classical Reform “Sunday Schools,” children learned “Bible Stories” – the adventures of Adam and Eve, Noah and Family, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, and, of course, God. To young learners God, as portrayed in Bible stories, seemed to be a distant, magical, Heavenly figure making miracles and repeatedly rescuing His “Chosen People” (us!). Bible stories were full of villains as well as heroes (not much mention of heroines, though). The terms “Torah Study” or text study weren’t used, nor were the Hebrew names of the Five Books and the Portions. As a matter of fact, it wasn’t until we had made aliyah to Israel and I helped my children with their Torah homework, that I began to understand the concept of a weekly Parsha.
Today’s religious school students are fortunate to have the benefit of creative, educationally sound materials and more enlightened teaching methods. “Bible Stories” are encountered in the context of Torah Study, and heroines are introduced along with the heroes.
The publishing firm, Torah Aura Productions www.torahaura.com includes in its catalogue 12 pages of Torah Study publications for Pre-K to Adult learners. I currently use three Torah Aura publications in studying Torah both as an individual and with my Sixth Grade class.
My Weekly Sidrah by Melanie Berman and Joel Lurie Grishaver
This book presents a summary of the main figures and events in each Torah Portion, plus a quotation from the Text (in English); a discussion question; a sentence starter called “My Comment” which encourages the student to personally respond to concepts in the Portion; and games and illustrations to color.
Although intended for students in Grades 1-2, the summary can serve as an accessible introduction to the Portion, while the discussion question and personal comment section are valid for any age. The cartoon-like illustrations further expand the student’s understanding of the Portion.
Experiencing the Torah by Joel Lurie Grishaver
This new publication aimed at Grades 4-5, is suitable for older students as well. Twenty-three Torah Texts are presented as play scripts. Students act out the actual words of the Torah by taking on the roles of narrators, Torah “characters,” and God! (It’s exciting to see a shy student loudly proclaim God’s “lines.”)
Each script is accompanied by questions and commentary to encourage deeper understanding of the Text. Several hands-on projects are suggested for each script to give students an opportunity to express their understanding of the Text through crafts, creative writing, theatre arts/video, dance, music.
The high quality contemporary illustrations also prompt discussion and are models for students’ own art work.
The Torah Portion-by-Portion by Seymour Rossel
Rabbi Rossel’s book, for grades 6-adult, presents each Torah Portion in a highly readable framework which weaves together the views of traditional and modern commentators along with supporting evidence from the various sciences. Rossel explores Torah Portion “mysteries” such as the origin and meaning of differing versions of a “Torah story,” and provides insights into puzzling events and concepts. There are quotations from the Torah Text in Hebrew and English and illustrations of objects and artifacts which help readers to visualize details of the Text.
As explicated by Seymour Rossel, each Torah Portion is a mini-course in itself!
The Torah Portion-by-Portion is an invaluable resource for Torah Study leaders and students.
Enhancing Torah Study with books such as these, gives students an understanding of Torah Teachings and multiple ways to connect their daily experiences at home, at school, at work with the Divine realm of Torah Text.
From classroom to Heaven through well-crafted resources…
Happy 7th Night of Hanukkah!
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