By Marcus J Freed

What is spirituality? In a world where teenagers are bombarded with different messages over what is meaningful, where they are being told to join various social networking websites, when there are parental pressures to have a barmitzvah or a batmitzvah, and when puberty is beckoning, the idea of spiritual choice can be confusing!

See also:
- Spirituality for Adults
- Spirituality for Kids

Lesson Plan by Rabbi Joe Hample

It’s a challenge to teach children and families about Tish’ah b’Av. The holiday is a fast day, with no signature foods, and a solemn occasion, when singing and enjoyment should be minimized. The danger is that kids and families won’t learn about the holiday at all, if the lesson can’t be made palatable for young people. This project challenges this assumption, offering activities and lessons to make this day meaningful.

Interview with the Professor of Jewish History at the University of Munich, Michael Brenner

(Much obliged to JDC’s Center for Community Development for letting us publish and translate this material)

This essay assesses the importance of three covenants that have in particular given shape to the development of Judaism in history. The three covenants described provided Israel with a law (and a way of being in the world) that transcends the law of the state; it will determine how Israel is to judge itself and others, and how it is to be judged by G-d.

By Matthew LaGrone