Textual Knowledge: Teaching the Bible in Theory and in Practice is a book aimed at anyone who wishes to explore what it means to teach the Bible, one of the foundational texts of Western culture. In this volume the author explores the largest issues involved in Bible teaching: What are our purposes? What are the outcomes that we are looking for? How do we conceptualize the Bible as the subject matter? How do we develop theories of Bible teaching? And how do we move from theory to practice? Looking at a variety of alternative conceptions, Textual Knowledge helps offer clarity about a teacher's goals and practical advice about what it means to attain those goals. In addition the book explores the relationship between knowledge of Bible and teaching the Bible. What kind of knowledge does the Bible teacher need to have? How must that knowledge of subject matter be structured and conceptualized? How might differing scholarly conceptions of the discipline influence teachers' ways of thinking about the Bible. Drawing upon recent research in the field of general education, the author draws connections to the domain of Bible education. Asa book that embraces both theoretical issues and practical concerns, Textual Knowledge explores matters of central concern to Jewish educations in particular, but is relevant to educators from other religious traditions and for those teaching the Bible in secular institutions such as universities as well. At its heart the author seeks to improve Bible pedagogy - making it deeper, richer, more reflective and more powerful for students of any age and in any setting.

With chapters written by leading scholars specifically for this volume, 'Back to the Sources' is the first comprehensive guide to this literary legacy: the Bible, the Talmud, the midrashic literature, the commentaries, the legal codes, the mystical texts of the Kabbalah and of Hasidism, the philosophical works and the prayerbook.

The ancient rabbis believed that the world rests on three pillars: study, worship, and good deeds. It is said that the greatest of these is study, for it leads to the other two. But exactly how does the modern Jewish reader go about studying the Mishnah, Talmud, and Midrash-the great ancient and often hard-to-comprehend texts of our tradition? And how do we glean the great insights and wisdom from these sacred texts, which inspired our ancestors, and apply them to our modern lives? With guidance from renowned author and educator Barry Holtz, these ancient texts take on new meaning for us. He provides a framework for exploring our thinking about God, prayer, and ritual, as well as social issues, such as charity, friendship, and justice. His new study guide helps readers and study groups launch their exploration of the ancient texts, posing probing questions to help them stay engaged as they pursue their quest for a deeper understanding of their faith. This spiritual and spirited book, a sequel to Holtz's classic Back to the Sources, is a must-read for adult Jewish learners and educators alike.

The holiday materials of this curriculum for 11 year olds emphasize a review and consolidation of the first three years of the Melton curriculum through an innovative set of worksheets and individualized instruction. Rather than focusing on frontal teaching, each topic is covered with a set of activities that the teacher can use with individual students, in groups or as homework. A wide range of activities allows students to choose, with the teacher's guidance, worksheets appropriate to their interests and knowledge. The prayer component introduces the student to additional liturgical texts connected to themes of the Jewish holidays. The one volume teacher text contains lesson plans, student worksheets, and the text of the tefillot that can be xeroxed. The tefilla program contain units on Rosh Hashana/Yom Kippur, Sukkot, Hanukkah, Tu Bishvat, Rosh Hodesh, Pesah, Shabbat, Yom Ha'atzma'ut and Shavuot.

A Teacher's Guide for Exodus, similar in method to the Genesis curriculum and designed for Grade 5 (12 or 13 year olds). This totally revised guide is also appropriate for day schools, older students and adults, as individuals and groups.

A program for Grade 4 or 5 (11 to 12 year olds). The Teacher's Edition of the Student Workbook provides advice for coordination with the Teacher's Guide as well as suggested answers for student exercises. This program is also highly appropriate for day schools, older students and adults, as individuals and groups.

Kashrut is a system of laws which tells what foods are 'fit' to eat. Kashrut divides food into three categories: Meat, dairy, and neutral (fruits and vegetables). Most of the laws of Kashrut are concerned with the animal foods and how they can be combined with other foods. This workboos, appropriate for students in grades 3-6, will help to teach which animals can be considered kosher, how animals are slaughtered and prepared so that they are kosher, which foods are mean, milk, and neutral, and the laws of separation of milk and meat foods.