All education programmes must be booked in advance. For more information on educational activities at the Jewish Museum please contact our education officers on +44 (0)20 7284 7384 or education@jewishmuseum.org.uk.

TOTALLY TORAH

• What is the Torah and what are its origins?
• How do different streams of Judaism view the Torah?
• See a variety of Torah scrolls and a synagogue Ark in the gallery.
• Handle Torah decorations and accessories from the museum’s collection.
• Explore the Hebrew alphabet by writing with a quill and ink like a scribe.
• Design your own metal Torah breastplate.
• Discover objects which contain small parts of the Torah such as tefillin and mezuzah.
• Focus on the Ten Commandments (optional).

SHABBAT SHALOM

• Investigate the concept of a day of rest and how it links to the Jewish view of creation.
• What is a lunar calendar?
• Discover Sabbath rituals and their symbolism in our gallery.
• Explore the meaning of the beautiful ceremony of havdalah.
• Do all streams of Judaism mark the day in the same way?
• Related object handling, creative or practical activities.

A TASTE OF JUDAISM

KS4/5: 2a: Reflect on, express and justify their own opinions in light of their learning about religion and their study of religious, philosophical, moral and spiritual questions.

• Why is food an important reflection of religious practice and Jewish culture?
• What makes food ‘kosher’?
• What is a ‘hechsher’?
• Design a kosher meal for a Jewish family.
• Are these rules still relevant today? Explore different opinions…
• Find out about/make traditional or festival foods. (optional)

FESTIVAL FOCUS - Adaptable for different festivals.

KS4/5: 1d: Draw upon, interpret and evaluate the rich and varied forms of creative expression in religious life.

• Learn/re-enact/‘hot seat’ a story from Jewish history.
• Discover in our gallery how Jewish people celebrate the festival today.
• Explore and handle related objects from the museum’s collection.
• Make/taste foods connected to the festival (if relevant).
• Related creative or practical activities. (inc. mock ‘seder’ for Passover).

HOME AND SYNAGOGUE Full day session (half-day workshop also offered for either home or synagogue)

KS4/5: 1d: Draw upon, interpret and evaluate the rich and varied forms of creative expression in religious life.

• Explore the items you would find in a synagogue (am).
• Explore the items you would find in a Jewish home (pm).
• Related object handling from the museum’s collections.
• Related creative activities (optional).

ETHICS AND VALUES

KS4/5: 1a: Investigate, study and interpret significant religious, philosophical and ethical issues.

KS4/5: 2b: Develop their own values and attitudes in order to recognise their rights and responsibilities in light of their learning about religion.

• Find out what Judaism has to say on topics such as animal welfare, charity etc.
• Do all Jewish people agree? Ask the Rabbis in our gallery…
• Engage in debate!

REVISION SESSIONS

We are happy to talk to you about what your students require and tailor a session to suit their revision needs. These sessions could include:

• Exploring the museum’s galleries to recall what they have learnt and find out more – independently or with worksheets.
• Handling objects from the museum’s collection.
• Q &A forum for any related questions!

THEN AND NOW - History and citizenship links

• Pre-visit: Find out where your family originates from… (Just a couple of questions to research!)
• How and why did so many Jewish immigrants come to live in London between 1880 and 1914?
• What was life like for immigrants in the east End of London ~100 years ago compared to life now?
• Step back in time and meet the Jablonsky family from the East End…
• Handle trade and home related objects used by Jewish Londoners in the past.
• Who are the immigrant groups in London today?
• Should anyone be able to move to England if they want to?
• Recommended: Post workshop, the class could go on a walking tour of the East End. Suggested follow up work: A study investigating how your schools local area has changed over a long period of time.

WITNESS THE WITNESS
Set within a carefully structured education programme, a Holocaust survivor interacts with students enabling them to hear personal testimony, ask questions and contemplate meaning.

BE TOUCHED BY HISTORY
Use artefacts, documents, photographs and maps as tools for examining evidence and developing skills such as interpretation, analysis and empathy.

ONE SUITCASE
Either in conjunction with the Last Goodbye programme or as a separate session, this programme focuses on the stories of individual Kindertransport refugees who will meet students and tell their story, reflecting on the impact of the experience on their life.

CITIZEN TO CITIZEN
Use passports, refugee documentation and testimony from Holocaust survivors to stimulate discussion and debate about human rights, identity and democracy. In conjunction with a filmed encounter with Holocaust survivor Leon Greenman OBE.