Hamasa el Hadrasha – The Journey to the Sermon
Source: Itim - Jewish Life Information Center
The “Masa el Hadrasha” sixth grade curriculum is applied in 250 sixth grade classes across Israel. The students embark on a journey on which they encounter their family's story, the meaning of passing rites, their own identity and their Bar/Bat Mitzvah torah reading portion. Using all of these elements they write their own Drasha (sermon) which they deliver at an impressive class-family ceremony.
The curriculum is accompanied by a student workbook which serves as a personal album of the journey, where students record their impressions of the journey and save their pictures. The Journey website has tools which help the students do research, record their findings and write and save their personal Torah portion Drasha (sermon).
The curriculum, developed by Itim - Jewish Life Information Center and the Shenhar Committee Staff of the Israel Ministry of Education aims to encourage Israeli youth to examine questions dealing with their personal and cultural identities as they grow into adult membership in their communities. The preparation of a meaningful Bar/Bat Mitzvah sermon serves as the opportunity to embark on this adventure.
Each participating class submits one drasha every year to the Golden Drasha contest to be judged by the award committee. A number of drashot are chosen every year to receive the Golden Drasha Award.
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