Jewish Reconstructionist Federation

Original version of the guide, by Dr. Jeffrey Schein and Leah MundelThe Reconstructionist Web-based Curriculum Project is set to be launched in late spring of 2007 and is intended to help the more than 100 Reconstructionist congregations (and interested progressive Jewish congregations) that are in need of curricula resources. The curriculum project is an online interactive resource that will provide a menu of options for teachers, parents, and education directors.

When accessing the Web-based Curriculum Project, users will be invited to select one of 14 topic areas for which they need resources. These 14 topics will address areas of frequent congregational school study. These include:

• Comparative Religion
• God & Spirituality
• Hebrew
• History
• Holidays
• Holocaust
• Israel & Zionism
• Life Cycle
• Philosophy & Theology
• Reconstructionism
• Synagogue Literacy
• Texts
• Tikkun Olam & Mitzvot
• Values & Ethics

Each of the fourteen topics noted above will be subdivided into four categories of resources and materials and include articles and websites of interest on each topic and a bibliography of books for adults on the same subject. These four areas of subdivision will include:

• Educational Goals and Objectives
• Resources for Primary Grades (Kindergarten-2nd grade)
• Resources for Intermediate Grades (3rd-6th grade)
• Resources for Secondary Grades (7th-12th grade)

Within these subdivisions, you will find a listing of recommended textbooks and storybooks with web-based links directly to the publishers.

In true Reconstructionist spirit, the Web-Based Curriculum Project is not a project that will ever have an “end point” per se. Rather, it will be an evolving resource. Visitors to the Web-based Curriculum Project will be encouraged to blog, share best practices in utilizing the resources for similar-size congregations, and so on. Users will also be able to upload their own or favorite resources to help the curriculum resource grow. Additional topics and types of resources will also be added over time.

This project is jointly under the direction of Rabbi Erin Hirsh, JRF Education Coordinator, and Lori Rubin, RENA Co-Chair. Rabbi Shai Gluskin, Director of Publications and Internet Resources, created the web template for the data. Volunteers include Ady Bell, Sarah Chandler, Marla Dansky, Chava Gal-Or and Anne Johnston. If you would like to help with this project, please contact Rabbi Hirsh at ehirsh@jrf.org or 215-782-8500, ext. 16.