1. Chain of Tradition Shalshelet Hamesorah שַׁלְשֶׁלֶת הַמְסוֹרָה © Behrman House/Babaganewz

2. Chain of tradition, Shalshelet Hamesorah Our beliefs and practices link us in a chain of tradition with previous generations, while our creativity adds new links to that chain. © Behrman House/Babaganewz

3. What do you think? What qualities does a chain have? Do different kinds of chains have different qualities? What is the consequence of breaking a chain? In what ways is our Jewish tradition like a chain? In what ways is it not like a chain? Can you think of another image or way of describing Jewish tradition in addition to a chain? © Behrman House/Babaganewz

4. “Remember the days of yore, understand the years of generation after generation.” (Devarim 32:7) Why do we need to remember and understand previous generations? Does it enhance our own lives or make the world better? How? What are some examples of how we remember and understand previous generations? © Behrman House/Babaganewz

5. “You shall teach them thoroughly to your children, and you shall speak of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up.” (Devarim 6:7) What kinds of things have your parents explicitly taught you? From which other adults do you learn things? According to this text, when is the best time to learn? © Behrman House/Babaganewz

6. “You shall tell your child on that day, saying: ‘It is because of this that God did for me when I left Egypt.’” (Shemot 13:8 and Pesach Haggadah) How does telling stories link us with previous generations? Why do you think the verse asks us to personalize the Exodus experience, even though it happened thousands of years ago? © Behrman House/Babaganewz

7. “Moshe received the Torah from Sinai and handed it down to Joshua; and Joshua to the Elders; and the Elders to the Prophets; and the Prophets handed it down to the members of the Great Assembly.” (Pirkei Avot 1:1) © Behrman House/Babaganewz How could you write a continuation of this mishnah so the transmission reaches you? Why is it significant that the transmission of Torah and Jewish values continues through every generation? What responsibility does being the bearer of that transmission place on each of us?

8. What do these photos teach us about the Jewish chain of tradition? © Behrman House/Babaganewz

9. “Part of a Chain” performed by Robbo Lyrics: My grandparents came before me, but that’s just part of the story And before them were one hundred grandparents more And every generation, has built the Jewish nation They came before, l’dor va dor, they made me who I am And I am a part of a chain made up of our people Yes I am a part of a chain… 4,000 years Some people have tried to break it, they thought we could never take it But we fought back, and held on to who we are The torch is handed to me, I want the world to see I hold the light, it shines so bright, and I must pass it on For I am a part of a chain made up of our people Yes I am a part of a chain… 4,000 years And I am a part of a chain made up of our people Yes I am a part of a chain… 4,000 years (Who am I to break it? Four thousand years Who am I to break it? Four thousand years) © Behrman House/Babaganewz Part of a Chain From the album “Celebrate Kids” Written by Robb (Robbo) Zelonky © 1995 Blanket Kid Productions www.blanketkid.com

10. “Part of a Chain” How do the voices singing the song contribute to its message? The song says that “every generation has built the Jewish nation.” What is your generation doing to accomplish this? What can you do to make sure that the chain doesn’t break? © Behrman House/Babaganewz

11. Skits In groups, make skits about the number one aspect of the Jewish tradition your group wishes to transmit to the next generation of Jewish students. Examples could include anything from Friday night dinners to being kind to animals to observing Yom Kippur. Be sure to incorporate WHY you chose that piece of Jewish tradition and HOW your generation has put its own spin on it. © Behrman House/Babaganewz