The Sofer’s Sketchbook is a printable notebook that invites learners to explore and experiment with Hebrew letters and text. This resource playfully invites students to try different activities as a pathway to reading, writing, and interpreting text with a sense of curiosity and confidence. The Sofer’s Sketchbook can be used with students at any stage of their learning, from those just learning the Aleph-Bet, to those who already read and write with fluency. With the Sofer’s Sketchbook, some pens, and paper, educators can inspire and empower learners to develop a hands-on relationship with text.
January 2023
Hebrew Calligraphy: A Pedagogy for Developing Closeness with Text
Explore and experiment with Hebrew letters and text
Daniel Abramson is the Curriculum Development Director of the Tikkun Project, an initiative that brings social justice education rooted in Jewish values into K-8 classrooms. Daniel holds a Master of Education Degree from the University of Toronto and has been a teacher, program director, and youth advisor at many progressive Jewish institutions including the Leo Baeck Day School, Toronto Heschel School, Temple Sinai, Holy Blossom Temple, Hillel, and URJ Camp George. In his youth in Northwestern Canada, Daniel was always the kid who walked into the camp dining hall covered in paint or clay (a habit he has largely continued to this day). Later, as a staff member, Daniel learned how the arts can be used to teach meaningful lessons and explore identity through creative self-expression. For many summers, Daniel worked as part of the community care team at URJ Camp George and helped to implement an ongoing training program for first-year staff. Today, Daniel’s work focuses on deconstructing the idea that the arts are only for “creative” people. He designs projects that focus on the process and the fun of making things. Daniel believes wholeheartedly that the arts should be accessible and affordable so that all people can participate. At school in his role as the Curriculum Development Director, Daniel is busy helping students and teachers explore Social Justice initiatives through their classroom learning. In all his work, Daniel believes that creating positive relationships is foundational to teaching and learning.
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