Yad Hayotzer: An Interdisciplinary, Experiential Approach to Teaching the Prophets

Categories:
Development of Critical and / or Creative Thinking, Interdisciplinary Integration

Subject(s) of entry:
Art, History, Music, Tanach

Pedagogy:
Constructivist, PBL - project based learning, 21st Century Skills

Grade(s) to which this was taught:
10, High school

Grade(s) for which this will be useful:
9, 10, 11, 12, High school

Jeremiah Chapters 18-19 explore the interplay between God and His people as the fashioner of Jewish destiny through the agency of a potter. Jeremiah’s symbolic action comes to life as each student experiences "becoming" the potter, realizing the challenges of imprinting one’s vision on another. This project enhances the tefilla experience for our students as they explore the Yom Kippur piyyut - KaChomer BeYad HaYotzer, Like Clay in the Hands of the Potter - and helps shape their understanding of the roles of fate and free-will, both in the history of the Jewish people and in their own lives.