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Opening Our Hearts and Hands to Others (Tzedakah) (Private-Religious)

Unit of 3 lessons

3rd-5th Grade

Subjects:

Arts, Language Arts, Math, Philanthropy and Social Studies

Key Words/Concepts click to view

Lesson 1 :	ART:	Visual Arts
	ELA:	Analyze/Interpret; Constructing Meaning; Response to Text/Others; Teamwork
	PHIL:	Charity; Judaism; Sharing
	SOC:	Economics; Parochial
Lesson 2 :	ART-VA:	Visual Arts: Create/Communicate
	ELA:	Mishenh Torah; Analyze/Interpret; Response to Text/Others; Role-Play; Teamwork
	PHIL:	Charity; Judaism; Philanthropic Act; Selflessness
	SOC:	Ethics; Good Character; Parochial
Lesson 3 :	ART-VA:	Visual Arts: Create/Communicate
	ELA:	Analyze/Interpret; Informational Media; Letter Writing; Presentations; Research; Response to Text/Others; Teamwork
	MAT:	Data Collection/Organization
	PHIL:	Charity; Judaism; Service Project
	SOC:	Civic Responsibility/Virtue; Communities; Nonprofit Organizations; Parochial; Research

Unit Overview:

Using traditional Jewish texts as a basis, students will explore the concept of tzedakah (charity). They will first focus on why one should give to others and how one should give to others. They will recognize that charity can be either material goods or donations of time and experience. As a concluding project, students plan a school-wide tzedakah fair where they will raise money or other donations for favorite charitable organizations.

Unit Purpose:

The unit demonstrates that tzedakah (charity) is a fundamental concept in Judaism. Students are engaged in acts of tzedakah (charity) for the good of the communities to which they belong.

Focus Questions:
What is tzedakah?
Why is tzedakah important for the giver and the receiver?
How can I be involved in tzedakah?

Unit Objectives:

The learner will:

define tzedakah.

study traditional Jewish texts regarding tzedakah (charity).

exchange gifts with classmates.

reflect upon the benefits of giving to others.

identify eight levels of tzedakah (charitable giving).

role-play scenarios that demonstrate how to give each type of charity.

create a tzedakah box to take home.

read about children who have made a difference.

research a charity related to his/her own interests.

plan a project to raise money, supplies, and/or awareness for the charity of his/her choice.

prepare a presentation about the project/issue of his/her choice.

carry out a school-wide tzedakah (charity) fair to teach others about their project.

Service Experience:

Although lessons in this unit contain service project examples, decisions about service plans and implementation should be made by students, as age appropriate.

Lesson One: Students exchange gifts with their classmates in order to understand how it feels to give to others and to get from others.
Lesson Two: Students create tzedakah boxes so that they can collect money for charity.
Lesson Three: Students research a charity and prepare a display and project for a tzedakah fair to involve the school community in their fundraising efforts.

Unit Assessment:

Assess students based on teacher observations and participation in discussions.
In Lesson One, the following rubric is used for the poems or paragraphs (1 point each):
1. Writing includes expression of feelings about tzedakah.
2. Writing includes the importance of tzedakah.
3. Writing shows complete thoughts and correct usage.
See “Evaluation” on, Attachment Three: Lesson Three:Tzedakah Fair Planning Guide.

School/Home Connection:

“Copy-and-Paste” Class/School Newsletter Information Insert:
Tzedakah is the Hebrew word for charity. Our class will be using traditional Jewish texts and studying the words of Rabbi Moses Maimonides to find out what tzedakah means to them. What is our responsibility and what forms can charity take? Our students will analyze the benefits to being the giver and the receiver of meaningful gifts. They will analyze what forms of giving are most meaningful according to Maimondides and Deuteronomy. As a concluding project, students will plan a school-wide tzedakah fair. Our fair will include interesting presentations and opportunities for giving in creative ways. We hope to invite students, families, and other community members to our culminating event so we can raise awareness of charity needs and opportunities that are important to our students.

Interactive Parent / Student Homework:
In Lesson One, students write thank-you notes for objects in their home that they appreciate. They also keep their eyes open for the tzedakah boxes already in their homes and places in the community. In Lesson Two, students bring home tzedakah boxes and seek ways to earn money at home to put in the boxes. In Lesson Three, families help their children deliver donations collected from the tzedakah fair.