One way in which UbD is helpful is by having us consider the enduring understandings ("big ideas") that we want the students to take with them forever. I think this is critical for us in Jewish education as we are trying to impart far more than just "book knowledge" (though this is also important). We are trying to impart emunah (knowledge-faith); love of Hashem, Torah, Klal Yisrael and Eretz Yisrael; a desire to do the mitzvot; and more.
Once we have these enduring understandings, we can determine the knowledge and skills we need to impart. Every school may be somewhat different as to what it views as the key knowledge and skills (and certainly as to how they prioritize them). But I would hope that Orthodox Day Schools would have near unanimity on the enduring understandings we wish to impart (even if we may express them slightly differently). Having them clearly expressed and "front and center" for all to see allow everyone to remain focused on our ultimate goals.
I am sharing with you the enduring understandings that are part of our school's Judaic and Hebrew Studies Curriculum. Divided by subject, they are as follows. :
Written Torah:
1) Hashem gave the Torah (Written and Oral) to the Jewish People.
2) Hashem selected the Jewish People as His Chosen People and gave us his mitzvot to do.
3) Hashem gave Eretz Yisrael to the Jewish People.
4) It is a mitzvah to learn Torah our entire lives.
5) Learning Torah is meaningful, worthwhile, and enjoyable.
6) The actions of
the ancestors are a sign for their descendants.
7) Hashem acts directly with us (nationally and individually).
Oral Torah:
1) Hashem gave the Torah (Written and Oral) to the Jewish People.
2) It is often impossible to understand that Written Torah without the Oral Torah.
3) We need the Oral Torah to observe Halacha.
4) Chazal had the correct interpretations of the Torah, and the authority to make halachot.
5) It is a mitzvah to learn Torah our entire lives.
6) It is meaningful, worthwhile, and enjoyable to learn Torah.
7) The generations that were closer to the receiving of the Torah were greater than the subsequent generations.
Halacha/Tefilla:
1) Hashem expects for us to observe his mitzvot.
2) Observing halacha correctly is a critical way to connect with Hashem and the rest of the Jewish People.
3) When we daven to Hashem, we are communicating directly with the King of the Universe.
Jewish History:
1) Hashem acts directly with us (nationally and individually).
2) Hashem gave Eretz Yisrael to the Jewish People. It’s the ideal place for all Jewish People to live.
3) The actions of the ancestors are a sign for their descendants.
4) There are many different minhagim among the Jewish People. Yet we are all part of One People.
5) It is an honor and privilege to be part of the Jewish People.
Ivrit:
1) Ivrit is OUR Language.
2) Learning Ivrit helps us learn Torah.
3) Learning Ivrit helps us in Eretz Yisrael.
4) Learning Ivrit is worthwhile, meaningful and fun.
If you are interested in seeing the full document, you can view it at www.rabbijablon.com or www.torahacademyonline.org. We have used the essential understandings above to then lead us to the key skills, knowledge-- and ways of assessing them. You will also note an added component of a Yediot Klaliyot (basic Jewish knowledge) tests as a graduation requirement. It is intended to focus the faculty and students on some key elements of knowledge we believe must be mastered. You can view this at:
www.rabbijablon.com
I hope that this is a helpful addition to the discussion. If anyone has any feedback to what I have written (or to the curriculum) please feel free to write me "off list."
With all best wishes,
(Rabbi) Shmuel Jablon
(Menahel, Torah Academy of Greater Philadelphia)
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