ARTISTIC RESPONSESTragedies tear at our hearts. Art and music, which do not necessarily require words, can be helpful response media for children and adults.
1. Jews respond to tragedies through personal and communal actions. As a communal response, bring the educational program together for a worship service and/or assembly with music. Include readings from students, as well as texts from our tradition. 2. Create a friendship quilt. On square sheets of construction paper or fabric, have students illustrate ways they can reach out to one another to create a caring community. Add blank squares to fill out the shape of the quilt. Consider placing a Hebrew word or phrase in the center. 3. In the event of a human-created event or a natural tragedy, make a collage using newspaper articles, headlines and pictures. Add words or quotes from Jewish texts that are appropriate to the situation, perhaps of peace (e.g., Oseh Shalom, Maker of peace), or Ben adam l'havero (referring to the relationships between two people), or even Hashomer ahi anokhi? (Am I my sibling's keeper?). Besides any of the Hebrew phrases found throughout this curriculum, the quotes in the Text section could also be used. Another option: Provide a variety of art supplies and ask students to create a picture using the Hebrew word l'hayim (to life!) or hai (life!). Ask students how we could honor the lives of those who have died. 4. Create "tear art." Distribute 12 x 18 white or black paper and glue sticks. Provide sheets of colored paper from which students can tear images to express their feelings about the event or crisis. 5. Make Shalom Soup recipes. Have students brainstorm ingredients that they might put into their soup (friendship, sharing, listening, negotiating, etc.). Write all their ideas on chart paper. Show students how they can decide on quantities (e.g., one cup, two teaspoons) and have them choose 6-7 ingredients for their own Shalom Soup recipe. Ask them to write up their recipes formally and publish them in a newsletter or online. (Adapted from Behrman House's Hebrew Through Prayer Teachers' Guide Vol 2, page 34). 6. Create a remembrance board entitled Yizkor (remembrance). Back a bulletin board with dark paper and create paper yizkor candles. Ask each student to write on a candle a prayer in response to the tragedies and then display the candles. 7. After studying a prayer or a psalm, make illustrative or contrasting collages using newspaper articles, headlines and pictures. 8. Have students create a response using apps or programs with which students are already familiar. Consider: Google Slides, HaikuDeck, HP Reveal, JITap, Stop Motion Studio, etc. |
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Jewish Education Center of Cleveland
http://www.jecc.org
Jewish Education Center of Cleveland
http://www.jecc.org