aidemia--modules-lessonstartideas_type	Give a creative idea how to begin a lesson
Which subject	Religion
What age group	Year or Grade 4
What topic	We are learning about Elul and Rosh hashana , and the concept of teshuva ( returning to Hashem and regretting our sins). There are 3 steps to get to complete teshuva ( teshuva gemura). The steps are 1. Regret 2. Admit and 3. Accept for the future and 3 of these things will bring one to complete teshuva
Quantity	1
Any other preferences

Welcome to Our Journey of Teshuva

Introduction: A Special Time of Year

Hello, everyone! Today, we’re going to embark on a meaningful journey together as we learn about two important events in the Jewish calendar: Elul and Rosh Hashanah. These times are not just about celebrations, but also about reflecting on our actions and making real changes in our lives. It’s a time when we get to think deeply about our choices and how we can become better people.

What is Teshuva?

First things first, have you ever felt sorry for something you did? That feeling is part of what we call Teshuva. But Teshuva isn’t just about feeling sorry; it’s about something much more powerful: returning to Hashem and working hard to be the best version of ourselves.

Today, we’re going to discover the three important steps to achieving complete Teshuva or Teshuva Gemura. These steps are:

1. Regret - Recognizing that we made a mistake.
2. Admit - Being honest with ourselves and others about what we did wrong.
3. Accept for the Future - Making a promise to do better next time.

Engaging Activity: The Magical Mirror

To start our lesson, let’s do a fun and engaging activity called The Magical Mirror. Each of you will receive a small mirror (or you can pretend to hold one!).

Instructions:

1. Look into Your Mirror: Close your eyes for a moment and think about something you did that you wish you could change. Open your eyes and look into the mirror.
2. Express Your Regret: In your own words, tell the mirror what you feel sorry about. You can say it quietly or aloud.
3. Admit: Now, say to your mirror, “I will be honest about this mistake.”
4. Accept for the Future: Finally, promise your mirror, “I will try my best to do better next time.”

Reflection

How did it feel to talk to your mirror? This is a little bit like how Teshuva works! When we work through these steps, we can truly return to Hashem and improve ourselves.

Conclusion: A Fresh Start

As we move forward in our lesson, let’s keep the idea of our magical mirrors in our hearts. Remember, Elul and Rosh Hashanah are special times for reflection, and by taking these three steps of Teshuva, we can make this year even better than the last one.

Let’s dive into our lesson and learn more about how we can practice Teshuva together! Are you excited? I know I am!