Sample Texts
On the left are a number of sample texts culled from biblical, rabbinic, and modern sources that reflect many important Jewish values. This is by no means an exhaustive source list. You should choose freely from this list and supplement it as you deem appropriate.
These texts are loosely organized by topic. Please be advised, the categories we’ve used might not correspond exactly to the values you or your students have identified. In addition, some of the texts are relevant to several different categories or topics—so we encourage you to be flexible in how you use these examples. The texts are organized into the following categories:
Ha-S’vivah – The Environment
Kehillah – Community
Klal Yisrael – The World Jewish Community
Kavod – Honor
Halachah V’mesorah – Jewish Life and Tradition
Chinuch – Education
Tzedakah – Righteousness and Charity
The Land of Israel
Prayer
Truth, Justice, and Peace
Art, Music, & Spirituality
Generations: Parents, Children, and Families
Self-Respect and Personal Behavior
Dealing with Hardship
Many of the modern texts are excerpts from longer works by the authors. You might ask students to explore some of these works more fully. In addition, there exist numerous commentaries on each of the traditional texts that delve more deeply into their meanings. Depending on the level and abilities of your class, you might encourage or require your students to explore some of the relevant commentaries. You might also choose to have your students study the traditional texts in English or in the original Hebrew or Aramaic. In most cases, both are provided.
Following each section of texts is a list of the photographs by Zion Ozeri that also relate to that value or theme.