Written by a Jewish woman, the poem distinguishes the American experiment from other famous civilizations in human history and resonates with personal histories of migration. Simultaneously, it demonstrates how mere words on a page can transform the country, going so far as to subvert the purpose of a massive civic project. 

Facilitator Guide & Handout

Handout In Editable Format

Facilitator Guidance:

The single greatest challenge to facilitating this program is moving participants out of their accustomed academic or professional frames of reference and into a spiritual frame of reference. To help address this challenge, facilitators can point out the difference and adopt some key techniques:

Create a Spiritual Environment

The program is most effective when participants see it as part of the spiritual life of the congregation, rather than as a class being offered in an academic setting.  Some basic steps can help make this happen:

• Clergy should facilitate the program in their full clerical role. That means rabbis and cantors should activate their pastoral thinking, lean into pre-existing relationships, speak about Jewish values and traditions, and, when appropriate, bring God into the room.

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