Acharei Mot . Middah/ Jewish Value Activity Early Years & Foundation Stage 0 - 5 The main topic in this parashah is the importance of Yom Kippur. At this time we ask forgiveness for anything we have done wrong - Saying sorry to our friends when we have upset them It is not necessary to mention Yom Kippur, which obviously occurs at another time of year, but the leader could focus on the idea of friendships. Sing this song about making up with our friends and not fighting. Tune: This Old Man Please don't fight, It's not right, Take my hands and Hold on tight. Best of friends we now will be Won't you come and play with me. Have the children standing up in pairs and doing the actions whilst singing the song. Key Stage 1 5 - 8 In this parashah we are told about Yom Kippur and its importance as a day when we ask for forgiveness for any wrong things we may have done - Knowledge of Yom Kippur Use this as an opportunity to see how much the children remember about Yom Kippur. Prepare small cards with simple questions and different cards with the answers, on the subject of Yom Kippur, e.g In which Hebrew month is Yom Kippur? When does the fast begin? Apart from fasting what else may we not do? What story do we read on Yom Kippur afternoon? What is the name of the special tefillah (prayer) we say at the beginning of the fast? What is the name of the last part of the service? What happens right at the end of the Yom Kippur service? Each child is given a question and answer card and must collect the correct answer card for their question. Key Stage 2 8 - 11 God listened to the cries of the Bnei Yisrael to free them from slavery. The children of Israel merited being freed from slavery because, even after so many years of living outside Eretz Cana'an, they never changed their Hebrew names, they kept their language and dressed modestly. Keeping our Jewish laws and customs even whilst living among other nations helps the continuation of the Jewish people - Being proud of your Jewish identity There are lots of ways that Jewish people differ from the communities that they live in. For example: What they eat How they dress etc. Ask the children to think of other examples. Then broaden out the discussion to include what the children have observed of other religions in Britain today. Is it a good or bad thing that Britain has so many people living here with different cultures? Should we all try to be the same (the melting pot) or keep our identity in a host culture (the mosaic or patchwork quilt)?