
Exploring Jewish worldviews
This book explores the diversity of Jewish worldviews by offering clear substantive content about Rosh Hashanah, the social-justice-focused Mitzvah Day, some key artefacts, ‘Adon Olam’, a Jewish liturgical poem, and the celebration of Shabbat.
Select a topic to explore resources
- Exploring diverse Jewish worldviews
- What happens in a Jewish home at Rosh Hashanah?
- What happens on Mitzvah Day?
- What do these objects tell us about Jewish people and what is important to them?
- What does 'Adon Olam' mean to Jewish people?
- What does Shabbat mean to Jewish people in Britain today?
- Book characters
- Welsh RVE curriculum
- ExternalCelebrating Rosh Hashanah, BBC CBeebies – a Jewish family at Rosh Hashanah (a link to a film for Step 3 on p. 5)
- ExternalA shofar sound, clip on YouTube (for Step 5 on p. 6)
Selection of songs on YouTube (for continuous provision on p. 6)
- ExternalDip the apple, a traditional song learnt by Jewish children
- ExternalDip your apple (different version)
- ExternalRosh Hashanah Song (J KIDS TV)
- ExternalRosh Hashanah song for children (very preschool – start 20 seconds in to miss the presenter’s spoken introduction)
- ExternalStarting Over, a more serious song
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- Internal
Rosh Hashanah for Hannah and AviStory of Rosh Hashanah, highlighting its significance in Jewish culture and tradition. - Internal
What happens in a Jewish home at Rosh Hashanah? (ERW1)Explore the Jewish New Year (Rosh Hashanah) in a Jewish home, learning about traditions like the shofar and special meals. - Internal
Exploring Jewish Worldviews Unit 2: What happens at Rosh Hashanah?Introduction to Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year.
- ExternalMitzvah Day website
- ExternalMitzvah Day photo selection
- ExternalOne-minute introduction to Mitzvah Day
- ExternalBBC Bitesize clip: ‘How do Jewish people show care?’
- ExternalBBC Newsround article on Mitzvah Day (2019)
Member Only Content
This content is available exclusively for members. Not yet registered? Sign up today.
- Internal
What happens on Mitzvah Day? (ERW1)Discover Mitzvah Day, a Jewish day of service, highlighting community service, charity, and performing good deeds. - Internal
Exploring Jewish Worldviews Unit 3: What happens on Mitzvah Day? (ERW1)Overview of Mitzvah Day and its role in Jewish community service.
Images and information from the Jewish Museum London to use in Steps 2 and 3:
- ExternalShofar
- ExternalYad
- ExternalSabbath Book
- ExternalHebrew University of Jerusalem’s Center for Jewish Art has the largest digitised collection of Jewish art and artefacts in the world
- ExternalAudio files of Jewish people reminiscing about their experiences growing up in different areas of Manchester; the files are accompanied by detailed written information
BBC 'My Life, My Religion: Judaism' clips linking to the objects in Steps 2 and 3
- ExternalRosh Hashanah (connects to the shofar)
- ExternalThe Torah (connects to the yad)
- ExternalShabbat (connects to the Sabbath Book)
- ExternalMore information about tzedakah, from My Jewish Learning
eResource
Member Only Content
This content is available exclusively for members. Not yet registered? Sign up today.
- Internal
Three mystery objectsEngaging mystery objects for classroom discussion. - Internal
What do these objects tell us? (ERW1)Learn what young Muslims value about their experiences at the mosque, exploring how it shapes their faith and community. - Internal
Exploring Jewish Worldviews Unit 4: What do these objects tell us? (ERW1)Exploration of symbolic objects in Jewish tradition.
Four versions on YouTube of ‘Adon Olam’ (set to music) for Step 1 on p. 22:
- ExternalA. This has nice visuals, and text on screen in Hebrew and English. It starts slow, but goes upbeat.
- ExternalB. A single voice of a male cantor, in a synagogue setting. It is musically interesting and sung with passion and interesting changes of pace.
- ExternalC. A congregation and orchestra join in with this robust and exciting version, but there are no words on screen.
- ExternalD. This a cappella quartet sing the lyrics to the Pharrell Williams tune ‘Happy’. It is lots of fun.
- ExternalAn English translation of Adon Olam from www.learnhebrewpod.com (the translation used in the book is based on this one)
Member Only Content
This content is available exclusively for members. Not yet registered? Sign up today.
- Internal
What does ‘Adon Olam’ mean to Jewish people? (ERW1)Discover the meaning of "Adon Olam" in Jewish worship, exploring God's eternal sovereignty and its significance in Jewish faith and prayer. - Internal
Exploring Jewish Worldviews Unit 5: What does ‘Adon Olam’ mean to Jewish people? (ERW1)Insights into the significance of the Jewish hymn 'Adon Olam.'
Clips to recap what happens during a Friday Shabbat meal:
- ExternalBBC Teach, Religious Studies KS2
- ExternalYouTube: What is Shabbat?
Films of Progressive and Orthodox synagogues (websites: The Arts Society Birmingham and BBC)
- ExternalProgressive Synagogues
- ExternalOrthodox synagogues
- ExternalA film of pupils in a Jewish primary school in Salford talking about Shabbat (Facebook page of Jewish Telegraph) to support Step 4 on p. 29
- ExternalJewish school day variance - example (primary school)
- ExternalBig Questions Big Answers: Investigating Worship (edited by Fiona Moss, RE Today 2022) has work on synagogues to support Step 2
eResources
- External6.1 Shabbat Retrieval Relay Race - quiz answers (supports Resource 6.1 on p. 30 of book)
- External6.4 A transcription of some of the comments from the above film of Jewish primary pupils in Salford
Member Only Content
This content is available exclusively for members. Not yet registered? Sign up today.
- Internal
What does Shabbat mean to Jewish people in Britain today? (ERW1)Learn what Shabbat means to Jewish people in Britain, exploring how they observe this sacred day and its significance in Jewish life today. - Internal
Exploring Jewish Worldviews Unit 6: What does Shabbat mean to Jewish people? (ERW1)Overview of Shabbat and its importance in Jewish culture.
Meet Hannah and Avi from 'Exploring Jewish Worldviews': pdf sheets to download for your records or use in the classroom, showing two children through whose eyes the book explores how Jewish families might celebrate Rosh Hashanah.
- Internal
Meet Hannah: a character from Exploring Jewish Worldviews (ERW1)Discover Jewish customs and religious life through Hannah ís story in Exploring Jewish Worldviews. Ideal for RE lessons on Judaism. - Internal
Meet Avi: a character from Exploring Jewish Worldviews (ERW1)Explore Jewish traditions and beliefs through Avi ís story in Exploring Jewish Worldviews. A great RE resource on Judaism.
Select a topic to explore resources
Exploring diverse Jewish worldviewsWhat happens on Mitzvah Day?What do these objects tell us about Jewish people and what is important to them?What does 'Adon Olam' mean to Jewish people?What does Shabbat mean to Jewish people in Britain today?Book charactersWelsh RVE curriculum
What happens in a Jewish home at Rosh Hashanah?
- ExternalCelebrating Rosh Hashanah, BBC CBeebies – a Jewish family at Rosh Hashanah (a link to a film for Step 3 on p. 5)
- ExternalA shofar sound, clip on YouTube (for Step 5 on p. 6)
Selection of songs on YouTube (for continuous provision on p. 6)
- ExternalDip the apple, a traditional song learnt by Jewish children
- ExternalDip your apple (different version)
- ExternalRosh Hashanah Song (J KIDS TV)
- ExternalRosh Hashanah song for children (very preschool – start 20 seconds in to miss the presenter’s spoken introduction)
- ExternalStarting Over, a more serious song
Member Only Content
- Internal
Rosh Hashanah for Hannah and AviStory of Rosh Hashanah, highlighting its significance in Jewish culture and tradition. - Internal
What happens in a Jewish home at Rosh Hashanah? (ERW1)Explore the Jewish New Year (Rosh Hashanah) in a Jewish home, learning about traditions like the shofar and special meals. - Internal
Exploring Jewish Worldviews Unit 2: What happens at Rosh Hashanah?Introduction to Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year.
- ExternalMitzvah Day website
- ExternalMitzvah Day photo selection
- ExternalOne-minute introduction to Mitzvah Day
- ExternalBBC Bitesize clip: ‘How do Jewish people show care?’
- ExternalBBC Newsround article on Mitzvah Day (2019)
Member Only Content
- Internal
What happens on Mitzvah Day? (ERW1)Discover Mitzvah Day, a Jewish day of service, highlighting community service, charity, and performing good deeds. - Internal
Exploring Jewish Worldviews Unit 3: What happens on Mitzvah Day? (ERW1)Overview of Mitzvah Day and its role in Jewish community service.
Images and information from the Jewish Museum London to use in Steps 2 and 3:
- ExternalShofar
- ExternalYad
- ExternalSabbath Book
- ExternalHebrew University of Jerusalem’s Center for Jewish Art has the largest digitised collection of Jewish art and artefacts in the world
- ExternalAudio files of Jewish people reminiscing about their experiences growing up in different areas of Manchester; the files are accompanied by detailed written information
BBC 'My Life, My Religion: Judaism' clips linking to the objects in Steps 2 and 3
- ExternalRosh Hashanah (connects to the shofar)
- ExternalThe Torah (connects to the yad)
- ExternalShabbat (connects to the Sabbath Book)
- ExternalMore information about tzedakah, from My Jewish Learning
eResource
Member Only Content
- Internal
Three mystery objectsEngaging mystery objects for classroom discussion. - Internal
What do these objects tell us? (ERW1)Learn what young Muslims value about their experiences at the mosque, exploring how it shapes their faith and community. - Internal
Exploring Jewish Worldviews Unit 4: What do these objects tell us? (ERW1)Exploration of symbolic objects in Jewish tradition.
Four versions on YouTube of ‘Adon Olam’ (set to music) for Step 1 on p. 22:
- ExternalA. This has nice visuals, and text on screen in Hebrew and English. It starts slow, but goes upbeat.
- ExternalB. A single voice of a male cantor, in a synagogue setting. It is musically interesting and sung with passion and interesting changes of pace.
- ExternalC. A congregation and orchestra join in with this robust and exciting version, but there are no words on screen.
- ExternalD. This a cappella quartet sing the lyrics to the Pharrell Williams tune ‘Happy’. It is lots of fun.
- ExternalAn English translation of Adon Olam from www.learnhebrewpod.com (the translation used in the book is based on this one)
Member Only Content
- Internal
What does ‘Adon Olam’ mean to Jewish people? (ERW1)Discover the meaning of "Adon Olam" in Jewish worship, exploring God's eternal sovereignty and its significance in Jewish faith and prayer. - Internal
Exploring Jewish Worldviews Unit 5: What does ‘Adon Olam’ mean to Jewish people? (ERW1)Insights into the significance of the Jewish hymn 'Adon Olam.'
Clips to recap what happens during a Friday Shabbat meal:
- ExternalBBC Teach, Religious Studies KS2
- ExternalYouTube: What is Shabbat?
Films of Progressive and Orthodox synagogues (websites: The Arts Society Birmingham and BBC)
- ExternalProgressive Synagogues
- ExternalOrthodox synagogues
- ExternalA film of pupils in a Jewish primary school in Salford talking about Shabbat (Facebook page of Jewish Telegraph) to support Step 4 on p. 29
- ExternalJewish school day variance - example (primary school)
- ExternalBig Questions Big Answers: Investigating Worship (edited by Fiona Moss, RE Today 2022) has work on synagogues to support Step 2
eResources
- Internal6.1 Shabbat Retrieval Relay Race - quiz answers (supports Resource 6.1 on p. 30 of book)
- Internal6.4 A transcription of some of the comments from the above film of Jewish primary pupils in Salford
Member Only Content
- Internal
What does Shabbat mean to Jewish people in Britain today? (ERW1)Learn what Shabbat means to Jewish people in Britain, exploring how they observe this sacred day and its significance in Jewish life today. - Internal
Exploring Jewish Worldviews Unit 6: What does Shabbat mean to Jewish people? (ERW1)Overview of Shabbat and its importance in Jewish culture.
Meet Hannah and Avi from 'Exploring Jewish Worldviews': pdf sheets to download for your records or use in the classroom, showing two children through whose eyes the book explores how Jewish families might celebrate Rosh Hashanah.
- Internal
Meet Hannah: a character from Exploring Jewish Worldviews (ERW1)Discover Jewish customs and religious life through Hannah ís story in Exploring Jewish Worldviews. Ideal for RE lessons on Judaism. - Internal
Meet Avi: a character from Exploring Jewish Worldviews (ERW1)Explore Jewish traditions and beliefs through Avi ís story in Exploring Jewish Worldviews. A great RE resource on Judaism.