As you prepare to speak with your faculty, students, and community about today’s realities, Prizmah: Center for Jewish Day Schools offers you the following curated resources to help with those conversations.
- Why is there a refugee crisis in Ukraine? from the ADL
- Ukraine in the Classroom from Chai Lifeline
- An Educational Guide on Ukrainian Jewish Life and presentation from UnitEd
- Jewish Education Project lesson plans
- Ohel's resource guide about Ukraine.
- Here is an anti-war prayer for peace written by Rebbe Natan (1880-1884) , a Ukrainian rabbi and the main student of Rabbi Nachman of Breslov [Shared by Rabbi Eli Mandel].
- Article from The Atlantic about the President of Ukraine as a Jewish Hero.
- Resources for educators to talk to students from the San Diego County Office of Education
- How to talk to Kids about Ukraine from the NYTimes
- Supporting Children in the Face of Tragedy
Donation Opportunities through the Jewish Community
- American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (JDC)
- Jewish Federation of North America's (JFNA) Ukraine Campaign
- OU Fund for Ukraine
Pointers for Discussing the Situation with Children
(shared from North Shore Hebrew Academy)
Be mindful about conversations you have in front of your children. They are listening to everything, and may not be able to process the information that they hear in a healthy way. Speaking to other adults about war and battles may be appropriate, but such terms can be extremely distressing for children.
Limit exposure to media coverage: it can be developmentally inappropriate for children, As children obtain their own phones, this can be challenging. Your children must know that they can speak with you if they see or hear something that makes them feel scared or unsafe. They can always leave a chat, avoid clicking on a link or even turn off their device if they feel overwhelmed.
Model calm: children rely on the adults in their lives to make sense of the world and help them feel safe. Ask your children what they know and be open to their concerns. By hearing what information they know, you will be able to correct any inaccurate impressions or information that they may have. Hear and validate their concerns.
Different ages can handle differing levels of detail. Early childhood children are unlikely to understand what is going on. Reassure them that this is occurring far away; the adults in their lives are keeping them safe, and there are small ways we can and will help. Early elementary school aged children benefit from simple and concrete explanations of what is happening. They cannot process complex information as can adults. Explain who is fighting and then answer any follow up questions they may have. This NBC News video (from two minutes in) may help. For children in middle and high school, use a map to show the locations of Russia and Ukraine. Help them process the information they have found on the internet and on the news.
Children express their concerns in different ways. Some might want to discuss what is bothering them while others feel more comfortable drawing or just being alone. Expressing fears and concerns is normal for kids; if, however, a child seems excessively fearful (e.g., is continuously talking about their fears) or acts differently (e.g., is angrier than usual), please do not hesitate to reach out to our social workers or psychologists if you are concerned about your child. Difficulties with eating, sleeping, concentrating, socializing, performing academically, or even separating from parents also indicate that a child might need additional support.
Please join us in praying for peace and safety in the region. Tehillim are always good to say, In addition, many have been saying the following tefila written by Rabbi Natan, the primary disciple of Rebbe Nachman of Breslov, Ukraine:
יְהִי רָצוֹן מִלְּפָנֶיךָ ה' אֱלֹקינוּ וֵאלֹקי אֲבוֹתֵינוּ, שֶׁתְּבַטֵּל מִלְחָמוֹת וּשְׁפִיכוּת דָּמִים מִן הָעוֹלָם, וְתַמְשִׁיךְ שָׁלוֹם גָּדוֹל וְנִפְלָא בָּעוֹלָם, וְלֹא יִשְׂאוּ עוֹד גּוֹי אֶל גּוֹי חֶרֶב וְלֹא יִלְמְדוּ עוֹד מִלְחָמָה, רַק יַכִּירוּ וְיֵדְעוּ כָּל יוֹשְׁבֵי תֵבֵל הָאֱמֶת לַאֲמִתּוֹ, אֲשֶׁר לֹא בָּאנוּ לְזֶה הָעוֹלָם בִּשְׁבִיל רִיב וּמַחֲלֹקֶת חַס וְשָׁלוֹם, וְלֹא בִּשְׁבִיל שִׂנְאָה וְקִנְאָה וְקִנְטוּר וּשְׁפִיכוּת דָּמִים חַס וְשָׁלוֹם, רַק בָּאנוּ לָעוֹלָם כְּדֵי לְהַכִּיר וְלָדַעַת אוֹתְךָ תִּתְבָּרַךְ לָנֶצַח…
May it be Your Will, our God and God of our ancestors, to abolish wars, end bloodshed, and bring grand and wondrous peace to the world. People should no longer carry swords and experience war. Instead, may we realize that we were not brought into this world to fight and to stir controversy, God forbid, nor for the purpose of hatred, provocation, and violence, God forbid. We are here only to know You, King of Kings, forever. (Likutei Tefillot II:53)