Self-Awareness

Most recent resources are displayed first.

Zoom for Engaging In-Person Tefilah

Rabbi Yael Buechler shares tips for how to create engaging tefilah experiences on Zoom for in-person day school settings.

Contributor: Rabbi Yael Buechler

Grade(s): 3-5, 6-8, K-2

Type of Resource: Music, Video/Visual

Wonder of Wonders

A well-formatted collection of texts and discussion questions about the Asher Yatzar blessing.

Contributor: NCSY

Grade(s): 9-12

Type of Resource: Lesson Plan, Source Sheet, Story

Spiritual Construction Ahead

A well-formatted collection of texts and discussion questions about the Yerushalayim blessing of the Amidah.

Contributor: NCSY

Grade(s): 9-12

Type of Resource: Lesson Plan, Source Sheet, Story

Working On It

A well-formatted collection of texts and discussion questions about the Retzei/Avodah blessing of the Amidah.

Contributor: NCSY

Grade(s): 9-12

Type of Resource: Lesson Plan, Source Sheet, Story

Me, Myself and the Rest of the World

A well-formatted collection of texts and discussion questions about the Please Sprout the Plant of David/Et Semach David blessing of the Amidah.

Contributor: NCSY

Grade(s): 9-12

Type of Resource: Lesson Plan, Source Sheet, Story

Everyday Mindfulness

A mindfulness meditation that focuses on 'shema' - listening. This resource was kindly shared by the Foundation for Jewish Camps.

Contributor: Foundation for Jewish Camps

Grade(s): 6-8, 9-12

Type of Resource: Lesson Plan

Interpretive Shema

Contributor: Michelle Bernstein

Grade(s): 3-5, K-2

Type of Resource: Lesson Plan

Siddur Sholom

Shabbat morning siddur with some translations. Illustrated with reflection questions about each prayer.

Contributor: Alex Weinberg

Grade(s): 3-5, 6-8

Type of Resource: Siddur

Rav Kook on Tefilah

A sourcesheet on Rav Kook's thoughts concerning prayer as expressed in his book Olat Hareiyah.

Contributor: Rav Mike Feuer

Grade(s): 9-12

Type of Resource: Source Sheet

Symbolic Reading of the Shema

A symbolic/semiotic study guide for the first line of the Shema.

Contributor: David Barany

Grade(s): 3-5, 6-8, 9-12, K-2

Type of Resource: Lesson Plan

Three Approaches to Tefilah

Taken from the teacher training chapter of our Reimagining Tefilah Education: Guidelines for Schools this source sheet contains three different approaches to tefilah.

Contributor: Dr. Susan Wall and Rabbi Zvi Hirschfield

Grade(s): 6-8, 9-12

Type of Resource: Source Sheet

From Kavannah to Keva

Taken from the teacher training chapter of our Reimagining Tefilah Education: Guidelines for Schools this lesson/source sheet explores the tensions of keva (fixed structure) versus kavannah (spontaneity) in prayer.

Contributor: Dr Susan Wall and Rabbi Zvi Hirschfield

Grade(s): 6-8, 9-12

Type of Resource: Lesson Plan, Source Sheet

Myself as Mitpalel, Pray-er

Taken from the teacher training chapter of our Reimagining Tefilah Education: Guidelines for Schools this session contains different activities that get students to reflect on their own prayer experiences.

Contributor: Dr Susan Wall and Rabbi Zvi Hirschfield

Grade(s): 6-8, 9-12

Type of Resource: Curriculum, Lesson Plan

Ashrei AlephBet Meditation

A meditation technique to slow down and focus while saying ashrei.

Contributor: Aviva Golbert

Grade(s): 3-5, 6-8, 9-12

Type of Resource: Lesson Plan

How do you Feel about Prayer?

This activity uses visual images as a spring board for conversations on Tefilah.

Contributor: NCSY

Grade(s): 6-8, 9-12

Type of Resource: Lesson Plan

God, Please Open my Lips

A well formatted collection of texts and discussion questions about the opening line of the Amidah.

Contributor: NCSY

Grade(s): 9-12

Type of Resource: Lesson Plan, Source Sheet

Tefilah Standard and Benchmarks

A k-6 tefilah curriculum that lists the knowledge, skills and Tefilot for each grade.

Contributor: Milton Gottesman Jewish Day School of the Nation's Capital

Grade(s): 3-5, 6-8, K-2

Type of Resource: Curriculum

Ata Chonen

A lesson plan focusing on the forth blessing of the amidah: Ata Chonen

Contributor: Dr. Saul Wachs

Grade(s): 6-8, 9-12

Type of Resource: Lesson Plan

Mah Tovu

A two part unit focussing students on the words and meanings found in Mah Tovu.

Contributor: Dr. Saul Wachs

Grade(s): 3-5, K-2

Type of Resource: Curriculum, Lesson Plan

BimBam Pesukei DeZimra

Engaging and visually stimulating video (2:46) narrated by Rabbi David Russo that explains the purpose and content of Pesukei DeZimra

Contributor: BimBam

Grade(s): 3-5, 6-8, 9-12

Type of Resource: Video/Visual

Gevurot

Slideshow of the second bracha of the amidah (gevurot) with questions and pictures.

Contributor: Dori Wolgel

Grade(s): 3-5, 6-8

Type of Resource: Video/Visual

Baruch SheAmar

Explores the power of words.

Contributor: Ariel Wolgel

Grade(s): 3-5, 6-8, 9-12

Type of Resource: Lesson Plan

Birkot HaShachar

Students explore their connection to God.

Contributor: Ariel Wolgel

Grade(s): 3-5, 6-8, 9-12

Type of Resource: Lesson Plan

Elohai Neshama and Godliness

Uses Elohei Neshemah to connect students to Godliness

Contributor: Ariel Wolgel

Grade(s): 3-5, 6-8, 9-12

Type of Resource: Lesson Plan

Mah Tovu and Prayer Space

Focuses on Mah Tovu and how prayer space can affect our kavanah

Contributor: Ariel Wolgel

Grade(s): 3-5, 6-8, 9-12

Type of Resource: Lesson Plan

Text and Practice

Source sheet with a variety of texts aimed at deepening prayer practice.

Contributor: Rabbi Zvi Hirschfield

Grade(s): 6-8, 9-12

Type of Resource: Source Sheet

Fixing Fixed Prayer

Source sheet about fixing fixed prayer - Hebrew only.

Contributor: Rabbi Zvi Hirschfield

Grade(s): 6-8, 9-12

Type of Resource: Source Sheet

Do I Pray What I Believe?

Source sheet: Do I Pray What I Believe?

Contributor: Rabbi Zvi Hirschfield

Grade(s): 6-8, 9-12

Type of Resource: Source Sheet

Siddur Sababa

Sample from Siddur Sababa including Birkot HaShachar and the Amidah.

Contributor: Sara Stave Beckerman

Grade(s): 3-5, 6-8

Type of Resource: Lesson Plan

Asher Yatzar

Study of birkat Asher Yatzar showing how the siddur relates to our own bodies and lives.

Contributor: Dr. Saul Wachs

Grade(s): 3-5

Type of Resource: Lesson Plan

Higher and Higher: Why People Pray

Explanation and activities exploring various reasons why a person may pray.

Contributor: Rabbi Steven M. Brown, Ed.D.

Grade(s): 6-8

Type of Resource: Lesson Plan

Traits of Empathy

Animated video (3 mins) of Brené Brown explaining the traits of empathy.

Contributor: Lisa Exler

Grade(s): 9-12

Type of Resource: Video/Visual

Having Awareness to be Grateful

Video (5:45 mins) about gratitude and opening our eyes to the wonderful things around us.

Contributor: Lisa Exler

Grade(s): 3-5, 6-8, 9-12

Type of Resource: Video/Visual

Knowing What You Have to be Thankful for

Video (2:45 mins) showing how we can be blind to all the blessings God has given us.

Contributor: Lisa Exler

Grade(s): 3-5, 6-8, 9-12

Type of Resource: Video/Visual

Exploring Asher Yatzar

In this lesson, students explore the Asher Yatzar brachah.

Contributor: Rosenfeld Community of Practice

Grade(s): 3-5, K-2

Type of Resource: Lesson Plan

Experiential Learning in the Morning Brachot

A lesson about understanding Birkot HaShachar through movement and how they apply to our lives.

Contributor: Rosenfeld Community of Practice

Grade(s): 3-5, K-2

Type of Resource: Lesson Plan

Who are we Praying to?

Part of Ira Blum's Moving from Prayer to Praying curriculum exploring motivations behind prayer.

Contributor: Ira Blum

Grade(s): 6-8, 9-12

Type of Resource: Lesson Plan

The Place of Israel in our Prayers and in our Praying

Part of Ira Blum's Moving from Prayer to Praying curriculum exploring the place of Israel in prayer.

Contributor: Ira Blum

Grade(s): 6-8, 9-12

Type of Resource: Lesson Plan

Applied Learning: Personalizing Praying Through Divrei Tefilah

Part of Ira Blum's Moving from Prayer to Praying curriculum about how to keep prayer fresh and alive.

Contributor: Ira Blum

Grade(s): 6-8, 9-12

Type of Resource: Lesson Plan

Praying With Your Head, Hand and Heart

Part of Ira Blum's Moving from Prayer to Praying curriculum exploring the words, actions and feelings of prayer.

Contributor: Ira Blum

Grade(s): 6-8, 9-12

Type of Resource: Lesson Plan

Assessing How Prayer Content Knowledge Impacts Praying

Part of Ira Blum's Moving from Prayer to Praying curriculum exploring prayers through “mental editing,” “associative reverie” and “prayer beyond the words."

Contributor: Ira Blum

Grade(s): 3-5, 6-8, 9-12

Type of Resource: Lesson Plan

Prayer and Praying: Assessing Inquiry

The second of Ira Blum's eight part Moving from Prayer to Praying curriculum exploring prayer as both a textual liturgical and emotional experience.

Contributor: Ira Blum

Grade(s): 3-5, 6-8, 9-12

Type of Resource: Lesson Plan

Establishing a Shared Language

Part of Ira Blum's Moving from Prayer to Praying curriculum exploring what constitutes a meaningful prayer and prayer experience.

Contributor: Ira Blum

Grade(s): 3-5, 6-8, 9-12

Type of Resource: Lesson Plan

Moving from Prayer to Praying

This learner-centered, inquiry-driven curriculum develops emotional awareness in Jewish prayer education.

Contributor: Ira Blum

Grade(s): 3-5, 6-8, 9-12

Type of Resource: Curriculum

Silence – Shema

A lesson plan exploring what we have to gain from creating moments of silence in our life.

Contributor: Dr. Seth Korelitz

Grade(s): 6-8, 9-12

Type of Resource: Lesson Plan

Counting our Blessings (lesson plan)

A slideshow using the 100th day of school to focus on reciting 100 blessings a day.

Contributor: Lisa Richman

Grade(s): 3-5, 6-8

Type of Resource: Lesson Plan

Entering Shul

A slideshow of texts and guiding questions about transitions between prayer and non-prayer spaces.

Contributor: Rabbi Dr. Jay Goldmintz

Grade(s): 6-8, 9-12

Type of Resource: Video/Visual

Zoom (video) – Getting Perspective

Video (2:40 mins) of Istvan Banyai's Zoom that starts with the eye of a cockerel and zooms out to planet earth.

Contributor: Reuven Margrett

Grade(s): 3-5, 6-8, 9-12

Type of Resource: Video/Visual

Keva and Kevannah

A four-unit curriculum connecting liturgy (kevah) to prayer (kavannah).

Contributor: Lev Metz

Grade(s): 6-8

Type of Resource: Curriculum

Awe and Wonder

Finding God in the world and ourselves.

Contributor: Rabbi Betsy Forester

Grade(s): 3-5, 6-8

Type of Resource: Lesson Plan

Tachanun – Talking Back

Reflects on praying and prayers as a lead-in to Tachanun.

Contributor: Rabbi Betsy Forester

Grade(s): 6-8

Type of Resource: Lesson Plan

Keva and Kevanah

Students understand the ideas of kevah and kavannah and incorporate those into their own prayer.

Contributor: Lev Metz

Grade(s): 6-8

Type of Resource: Lesson Plan