FAQs for Positively Torah

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1.  Why was Positively Torah created?

The past couple of years have taken a toll on us all, not least on our tweens and teens. As educators, we believe in applying the magical combination of Positive Psychology and Torah.  We have seen the power of building and nurturing positive character strengths.  We  have also seen spectacular success helping educators incorporate positive character strengths into their curricula with a Jewish lens.  But, the combination of positive character strengths and Torah study can be transformational.  We believe it is imperative to recognize this issue and to give our children tools and skills to thrive, to overcome challenges, and to be their best selves. Positively Torah, has been created to meet this need and to foster an appreciation of Torah as a source of inspiration. Through Positively Torah, learners explore skills that provide tools to navigate life. 

 

2.  What makes Positively Torah unique?

Positively Torah builds positive character strengths, such as kindness and leadership, through the lens of Torah study. It offers unique opportunities to uncover, remember, and nurture what is best in each of us. This strength-based approach offers opportunities to uncover, remember, and nurture what is best in each of us.

 

3. What does the Positively Torah student text include?

The Positively Torah student text consists of eight chapters, comprised of several lessons each. The first chapter introduces the concepts of the uniqueness of each person and their character strengths and how we can learn about character strengths through Torah study. Chapters 2 through 7 focus on Torah study and how we see a variety of Torah heroes using their unique character strengths in action.  In each of these chapters, learners delve into two specific character strengths.  strengths. The final chapter is a summation and allows students to apply what they have learned to a Torah text of their own choice.   

 

4. How much time do I need for teaching Positively Torah?

Each chapter has several lessons within it. You will need to map out how much time and how many sessions  you have  available for Positively Torah. You can then plan how  many lessons to devote to each chapter and how you might integrate any of the enrichment activities found in the Teacher's Guide.  Be sure to leave extra time for Chapter 8 when learners engage in a more in-depth project. 

 

5. What is the difference between the two most popular psychology tests - Myers-Briggs (MBTI) vs. VIA Character Strengths? 

Both MBTI and VIA are used to build self-awareness and personal improvement.  The difference is in what they are measuring. The MBTI aims to identify and describe an individual's personality types in four areas: how you direct and receive energy; how you take in information; how you decide and come to conclusions; and how you approach the outside world. Based on one’s natural preferences, you fall into one of 16 distinct MBTI personality types.

The VIA Institute specifically focuses on an individual’s 24 positive character strengths, such as perseverance and kindness. The VIA survey identifies a hierarchy of a person’s strengths, identifying which character strengths one uses most easily and often as well as those not used as readily.

The VIA Institute, extensively supported by over 350 research tests, focuses on positive character strengths, qualities and virtues, and how we build on those strengths to contribute to a person's well-being and personal growth.  It helps a person identify and explore how using those signature strengths effectively can meaningfully and powerfully expand their understanding of how to be their best self and make a positive difference in the world.    

VIA and MBTI are two different psychology tests, with different foci, and have been used successfully together and separately to compliment each other. 

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6.  What type of support do you provide? 

We offer training workshops, both virtually and in person, for educators. We also consult with individuals or small groups throughout the year. (Contact us for pricing details.). There will be a network that meets throughout the year for educators to compare experiences and learn from one another.  

 

Our website gives members access to our Teachers’ Guide which provides best practices and enrichment ideas for teaching Positively Torah. The Guide includes supporting materials to support and enhance each unit of study. We plan to showcase classroom innovations and triumphs of teachers in the field on our website. 

 

7. What equipment do I need?

No special equipment is needed for teaching Positively Torah. Our Teachers’ Guide includes recommendations for YouTube videos and music, but these are all optional. 

 

8. How are classrooms using the PDF student text?

Some classrooms print and bind the eight chapters to give the full text to each student to keep. Others print the student text as they go along, collecting the pages in a binder for each student. 

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To print the student text:

      1.  Download and save a PDF of the Positively Torah student text

      2, Print the student text:

           Electronically send or bring a thumb-drive with the PDF to a printing company to print and bind the full text.

           OR

            Print a chapter at a time as you learn from the text. You might choose to print on 3-hole punch paper and have             

            learners keep the chapters in a binder.

To share the Teachers’ Guide:  Download and save, the PDF of the Teachers' Guide. Print a guide for each teacher.

9. How much does it cost to take the VIA Institute personal hierarchy of strengths survey?

The survey is free of charge, and it will take no more than 15 minutes to complete. There are no correct or incorrect answers. Knowing our personal strengths is a gift given to each of us.