TEENS

Freewrite + Discssion

1.

Ask students to find a blank piece of writing paper. Explain the idea of a ‘freewrite*’ to them. Give them the topic: “blood.” Set a timer for ten minutes and begin.

2.

When the timer dings, ask students to put their pens down. Explain that you’re interested in what they think of when they think of blood. Would anyone like to share—either their whole freewrite or maybe just a word or two that came up during their writing?

3.

Write their words and ideas on a board for everyone to see.

4.

Once everyone has shared, begin a discussion of what blood means to Jewish people. Is the symbolism of blood different for Jewish and non-Jewish communities? (For example, many people will think of death, injury, murder, Halloween, vampires, etc. when they think of blood. But for Jewish people, blood may symbolize life, health, gift, sacrifice, Passover, the blood of circumcision, blood prohibitions, etc.).

5.

Pass out the sheet below and ask students to reflect on the images. Ask students to consider the difference between what Judaism teaches about blood and what, for example, TV shows teach about blood. Here are a few passages of scripture that might add focus to your discussion.

  • “For the life of the creature is in the blood.”

—Leviticus 17: 11

  • “And the blood shall be to you for a token upon the houses where ye are; and when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and there shall no plague be upon you to destroy you, when I smite the land of Egypt. And this day shall be unto you for a memorial, and ye shall keep it a feast to the LORD; throughout your generations ye shall keep it a feast by an ordinance for ever.”

— Exodus 12: 13-14

  • “And Moses took half of the blood, and put it in basins; and half of the blood he dashed against the altar. And he took the book of the covenant, and read in the hearing of the people; and they said: 'All that the LORD hath spoken will we do, and obey.' And Moses took the blood, and sprinkled it on the people, and said: 'Behold the blood of the covenant, which the LORD hath made with you in agreement with all these words.'"

— Exodus 24: 6-8

  • 6.

    Ask students to reflect on their own personal convictions about blood, in light of their faith. If blood seems sacred, how do they feel about sharing it with others through blood donation? What does is say about blood that it is both so rich in religious meaning and something to be shared with strangers?

Blood Symbolism in American Media

Jewish Blood Symbolism

What is a Freewrite?

A ‘Freewrite’ is an activity during which students are given a topic or theme of some kind and asked to write without restraint for some period of time (often 5-10 min). The idea is to prevent the inner critic from slowing the writing process. Grammar doesn’t matter. Spelling doesn’t matter. The only thing that does matter is that students do not put their pens down for the duration of the activity.