Tools for Change: Teaching RHR-NA’s Anti-Torture Curriculum
Rabbis for Human Rights-North AmericaConference on Judaism and Human Rights, December 2010
Sara Shapiro-Plevan, Rimonim Consulting
Three Whys…
Why are you here?
Why this curriculum?
Why now?
________________Our conversation is not an attempt to solve a problem, but instead an attempt to help us to understand the underlying causes for the issues and questions which bring us here.
Based on the 5 Whys for Inquiry Protocol from the National School Reform Faculty nsrfharmony.org
Three Whys…Our Questions
Before we begin, what do we need to know?
Joseph Schwab’s Four Commonplaces
LearnerTeacherSubject MatterMillieu
How do we understand each of these in isolation?
What is the interaction between them?
What is their impact on one another?
Making it Work: Using the Curriculum
Planning Scanning the environment Understanding the needs and potential impact of the 4 Commonplaces Considering what success might look like
Design Designing powerful learning and learner outcomes Engaging the whole learner
Implementation Making the learning experience a success
Assessment Understanding how we’ve succeeded Determining what needs refinement and adjustment Planning for what’s next
Making it Work: Using the Curriculum
Planning
DesignImplementation
Assessment
Frameworks for Adaptation: Text
Emphasis on the study of texts (Biblical, rabbinic, classical, modern, contemporary)
Pirkei Avot 1:14
וו, ווו ווו ווו
וו. וו
וו וו
וו, ו
וו וווו
ווו
וו. וווו
וו ו
וו, ו
וו ו
ווו וו
וו ו
וMיואMם KלאעכשFיואCימתיו MילעצמMימהאנ QכשFאנ ילMיו MימMילM אMםאCיןאנ
Genesis 1:27
ם א Kת ברא Vקבה Qנ ו זכר KתוK א ברא אXKלהMים בצלYם KמוVבצל ם האד אYת אXKלהMים ויבVרא
Frameworks for Adaptation: Mitzvah
Emphasis on mitzvot or value concepts
B’tzelem Elokim
Being created in the image of G0d: What does this mean?
Responsibility
Do our obligations to others change if we view each person as created in the image of God? What does b'tzelem elokim mean for the responsibility of Jews toward other Jews? Toward non Jews?
Frameworks for Adaptation: Challenge
Emphasis on Challenging and Difficult Language
Focus on classical texts Consider primary/current sources carefully Use of protocols to create structured framework for
conversation Make room for divergent opinions and respectful
debate: agree to disagree
Reflection
• something new that you learned.
• something you would like to learn more about.
• something that you need help with.
• something that surprised you.
• something that you would like to learn more about.
• who you'll share this learning with upon your return
• one next step you're considering.