Tales of the Storyteller is a collection of lessons that are designed to serve two purposes:
To allow teachers to introduce Jewish values through the study of traditional Jewish stories and folktales. A short series of texts are included to help explain the stories.
To provide teachers with a collection of stories to teach about values used throughout the Jewish lifecycle
Storytelling is an ancient art. The storyteller’s stories passed down lessons of faith, history and language from one generation to another. In more recent times, stories have proved valuable in teaching morality and problem solving to children. The stories convey hopeful messages, create positive physical changes within the body, and relax the listener.
The mystery, magic and excitement of Jewish stories can bring the classroom alive as they stimulate students and encourage critical thinking skills. Jewish stories can better explain holidays, ethics, history and the Jewish lifecycle while creating an atmosphere to strengthen Jewish identity.
There is a rich history of Jewish stories and folktales that suggests that stories are a powerful method to transmit, store, and access values. When a story is told, the story’s context gives the value a reality that isn’t communicated without a clear example. Stories, however, are remembered much more than information or statements. They take on a life of their own in a student’s memory. Students may often find within stories ways to address issues in their personal lives. A story also gives a teacher a simple way to reference a story. It is fairly hard to ask a student, “Don’t you remember the when we learned about “Gamilut Chasadim”? A Hebrew term and a new idea are not likely to remain active long in the memory when is not reinforced. On the other hand, if the teacher should ask, “Remember the story about the rabbi who fixed the flawed stone?” is much more likely to be remembered and retained.
Each of the Jewish Tales of the Storyteller lessons allows students develop an appreciation for Jewish values through hearing stories and “finding its meaning.” A series of short Jewish texts allows students to explore the nuances of uniquely Jewish insights into its application. The values remain with the listener giving them the tools to address situation or conflicts they may experience at a later time. This in turn will allow later experiences to become insightful and heartfelt learning opportunities.
Embarrassment: Challahs for Shabbos
This unit is made up of five learning activities.
Activity One: Read and discuss the story “Challahs for Shabbos”
Activity Two: Discuss the meaning of the story.
Activity Three: Thinking about the Story: Look and learn with Jewish texts having to do with embarrassment, in chevrusa.
Activity Four: Explore the value. “Judging Religious Observance”, by analyzing a few interpretations of its meaning.
Activity Five: Prayers About Embarrassment: Discuss students’ own interpretations of the story’s message and students will make up a prayer/blessing about embarrassment
Embarrassment: Challahs for Shabbos
Grade: 4 – Adult
Time: 1- 2 Hours
Format: 8 page illustrated student Lesson – 5 page teachers Guide
Price: $12.00
To purchase Embarrassment: Challahs for Shabbos click below
Speech: One Tongue Instead of Another
This unit is made up of six learning activities.
Activity One: Read and discuss the story “One Tongue Instead of Another”
Activity Two: Discuss the meaning of the story.
Activity Three: What is Lashon haRa: Look and learn with Jewish texts having to do with embarrassment, in chevrusa.
Activity Four: Explore “The Power of the Tongue”, by analyzing a short midrash (Leviticus Rabbah) and its meaning,
Activity Five: Explore the concept: “In the Image of G-d” by analyzing text from Genesis and Pirke Avos
Activity Six: Closing Thoughts: Discuss students’ own interpretations of the story’s message
Speech – One Tongue Instead of Another
Grade: 4 – Adult
Time: 1- 2 Hours
Format: 5 page student Lesson – 10 page teachers Guide
Price: $12.00
To purchase Speech: One Tongue Instead of Another click below
This unit is made up of five learning activities.
Activity One: Read and discuss the story “The King and the Storm”
Activity Two: Discuss the meaning of the story.
Activity Three: The Torah of Friendship: Look and learn with Jewish texts having to do with embarrassment, in chevrusa.
Activity Four: Explore “The Test of a True Friend”, by analyzing a short midrash and its meaning,
Activity Five: Closing Thoughts: Discuss students’ own interpretations of the story’s message
Speech – Friendship: The King and the Storm
Grade: 4 – Adult
Time: 1- 2 Hours
Format: 6 page student Lesson – page teachers Guide
Price: $12.00
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Tzedakah – Charity Saves from Death
This unit is made up of five learning activities.
Activity One: Read and discuss the story “The Beggar at the Wedding.”
Activity Two: Discuss the meaning of the story.
Activity Three: Thinking about the Story: Look and learn with Jewish texts having to do with tzedakah, in chevrusa.
Activity Four: Explore the value. “tzedakah saves from death”, by analyzing a few interpretations of its meaning,
Activity Five: Closing Thoughts: Discuss students’ own interpretations of the story’s message.
Tzedakah – Charity Saves from Death
Grade: 4 – Adult
Time: 1- 2 Hours
Format: 6 page student Lesson – 5 page teachers Guide
Price: $12.00
To purchase Tzedakah – Charity Saves from Death click below