How to Speak with School Communities About Events at the US Capitol on January 6, 2021
Events happening in the United States this week are relevant both in the country, and for democracies everywhere. Jewish day schools and yeshivas support each member of our community in times of personal, local, national and international crisis. School leaders help the community to process information, discuss it together, and create shared frameworks of meaning. These enable our communities to come together and find strength and solace in solidarity guided by Jewish values and tradition. Below, you will find a number of curated resources to help facilitate conversations with your communities.
For support, guidance or ideas about how to have conversations about these topics, reach out to Debra Shaffer Seeman [email protected]. To suggest a resource to be added to this page, please contact Odelia Epstein at [email protected].
Classroom Resources
- Mahloket Matters: Navigating Inner Challenges and Societal Discord through Jewish text and Social Emotional Learning from Pardes Center for Jewish Educators
- Discussing Political Violence and Extremism with Young People by the ADL
- Civil Discourse in Politically Turbulent Times for 7th-12th grades from JTeach.org
- And You Shall Teach Your Children… Civic Responsibility, Leadership and Civil Discourse from Ellen Rank at the Jewish Education Project
- Responding to the Insurrection at the US Capitol, a guide from Facing History designed as an initial classroom reflection
- Civil Discourse sources on Sefaria
- Never Take Democracy for Granted by Rabbi Jonathan Sacks
- Resources for teachers on the days after the attack on the U.S. Capitol from Beyond the Spotlight
- Teaching Current Events: A List of Resources on Teaching About the Events of January 6 by Dr. Emily Weisberg
- Sefaria Sources on Praying for Welfare for the Government
- Shelomo Shel Malchut: What does it mean to daven for the 'Shalom', peace, of the government. What does the term Shalom mean? A class by Rabbi Zev Leff
Social and Emotional Learning
- Psychological First Aid (PFA) framework, developed by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security: Listen, Protect, Connect—Model & Teach,
- Helping Kids During Crisis from the American School Counselor Association is a curated list of resources and webinars.
- Helping Children Cope with Frightening News by the Child Mind Institute
- Resources for School Communities in Times of Crisis by Education Elements
- Talking to Children About Violence: Tips for Parents and Teachers by The National Association of School Psychologists
- How to Talk to Your Child About the News by KidsHealth
Prayers
- Prayer for the Welfare of the Canadian and US Governments. Posted with permission from Koren Publishers.
- Prayer for the Government in honor of George Washington
- A Prayer for Reparation and Restoration by Rabbi Brant Rosen