Services We Offer > Publications
The Jewish Dialogue Group is excited to offer a number of publications that you can use to conduct dialogue programs and other workshops. Please also check out our resources page for links to other organizations that are engaged in dialogue work and additional articles on dialogue.
Guidebook for Facilitating Dialogue
In collaboration with the Jewish Dialogue Group, the Public Conversations Project has published a comprehensive guidebook that Jews around the world can use to organize and facilitate dialogue programs. It contains step-by-step instructions for conducting one-time events and multiple-session series, along with background information, sample agendas and handouts, and many other resources. To learn more about the guide, read this detailed description .
To obtain the guide, you may:
- Download a electronic copy free of charge.
- Order printed copies online, through Cafe Press. They will be sent you through the mail for $18 each.
Dialogue in the Jewish Tradition
This thirty-page article that explains a number of Jewish teachings about dialogue, respectful communication, and listening, and describes ways you can bring these teachings into your dialogues. You may download a copy free of charge. In late March, this website will allow you to order bound copies.
The Jewish tradition teaches that dialogue is a sacred activity. There are many rich teachings about dialogue and respectful communication to be found in Jewish texts, such as the concepts of "controversy for the sake of heaven" and "guarding the tongue." We have found that in some communities, it is useful to describe the conversations that we facilitate as a sacred endeavor or to explain the purpose and structure of the dialogue in terms of Jewish teachings.
The article includes:
- a brief list of some of the ways that you can make use of Jewish teachings as a facilitator
- a compilation of quotes from the Bible, Talmud, Midrash, and more recent sources
- interpretation of some of these texts
- blessings and songs that participants can recite and sing when beginning or ending a dialogue
- Download PDF, free of charge
- Purchase a printed copy for $6 plus postage
Public Deliberation Guidebook
In mid-2008 we hope to publish a guidebook for "deliberation" about the Israel-Palestinian conflict. Jews around the country will use the manual to conduct deliberation forums, workshops that offer people a systematic way to explore the choices they face when considering how to respond to a controversial problem.
The guide to deliberation will describe four alternative responses to the question, "How can Jews in the U.S. respond to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict?" Each response will include a detailed set of actions that Jews in the U.S. can take, along with an explanation of the hopes for the future, interpretation of history, analysis of current events, ethical reasoning, and values that motivate that approach. The four responses will reflect a full range of ideas and concerns within Jewish communities.
Jewish individuals and groups around the country will use the guidebook to conduct "deliberation" workshops. Participants in these workshops will examine each of the four approaches described in the guidebook, talk about what they like and don't like about each one, discuss the questions that each approach raises for them, and begin to figure out for themselves what actions to take and/or how they can study the issue in a way that helps them to reach clarity.
We are seeking volunteers to help with this project in a variety of ways, including research, writing, editing, and design. If you would like to get involved, please contact us.
