Hebrew High Lesson Plan:  9/24/17

We discussed concepts of being of service, what is worth it, how to improve the world.  We used Mordechai Kaplan's quote, "...to improve one's self, or to improve the world, we end up doing neither.  Actually, the only way to improve the world is by improving one's self, and the only way to improve one's self is by improving the world." 

We also talked about the student's B'nai Mitzvah Projects, asking in what ways was it important to you to incorporate certain aspects of the Middot, Mitzvot, rituals, ethics, into your life.  How will you do this?  In what areas of your lives, or areas of the community?

We then watched the following TED talk, by a younger cousin of mine from Santa Rosa, CA from Jun 21, 2012:

GABE FERRICK is 17 years old and attends Montgomery High School in Santa Rosa, CA. Gabe's passion for aiding victims of genocide and human rights abuses began when he learned about the crisis in Darfur in 5th grade during a humanity class at Sonoma Country Day School. He was inspired to take action and organize projects and walks to raise awareness and funds for refugees in Darfur, Congo, Rwanda and other places where genocide has ravaged the population.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9CkWcKMsDOc

We talked about doing what we can from the small things to the larger projects.