Morah Mary Consulting

This curriculum presents the history of Judaism as a dynamic, evolving, and pluralistic civilization, whose core spiritual values advance the Jewish mission of tikkun olam--the betterment of our world.  The experience and growth of Judaism during its 4,000 year history shows the wisdom of its values and the importance of its mission.  Typical religious school curricula focus on the question:  “How should I be Jewish?” yet overlook a far more important question:  “Why should I be Jewish?”  The simple yet profound premise of this curriculum is that being Jewish is a time-tested way to become a better person and to make this world a better place.

This curriculum presents a history of Jewish experience, and includes an in-depth unit on the Holocaust experience:

It includes a multi-faceted yet easy-to-understand view of 4,000 years of Jewish history, emphasizing:

• continual growth and evolution of Judaism
• important Jewish spiritual values and their relationship to the Jewish mission of tikkun olam
• unique Jewish contributions to humanity

• why anti-Semitism and other forms of prejudice exist
• the uniqueness of Nazi anti-Semitism
• many kinds of resistance against Nazi oppression

The curriculum culminates with the recovery and regeneration after the Holocaust which testify to Judaism’s enduring resilience and continuing evolution.

Rabbi Gary S. Fink * Mary F. Meyerson