OVERVIEW OF CLASS

“Why be different?” This question, which is also the title of the textbook for the eighth grade class, has been the focus of numerous lively discussions among the eighth grade religious school students. It has led us to explore the role of the Jewish people, a religious minority in the world. It has led us to discuss the concepts of monotheism and ethical monotheism. And it has led us to entertaining conversations about God, including our beliefs in God and our perceptions about God. We learned that it is quite appropriate within Judaism to ask questions about God.

The classroom has proven to be a very comfortable setting in which the teachers and all the students have explored, discussed and shared these issues within Judaism. We have all gained further insight into our own “Jewishness”. And, along the way, we learned the meaning of the word “anthropomorphism,” a excellent word in a game of hangman!

In the second semester, we will continue to explore these and other themes within Judaism.