Touro Synagogue Foundation
Touro Synagogue Foundation is grateful for the financial contribution and support from Gregory Annenberg Weingarten, GRoW @ Annenberg, and the National Park Foundation.
Educational Initiatives
Pathways to Understanding
Pathways to Understanding Middle School Video
Touro Synagogue Foundation is creating educational programs to promote dialogue and understanding among people of all backgrounds and faiths. First in the series is “Pathways to Understanding,” an interactive learning experience for middle school students. The Pathways to Understanding Middle School Video was developed as an introduction to an in-person symposium. Students will gather to learn about the history of religious freedom, civil liberties, and the importance of civil dialogue. They will engage in personal reflection and practice critical thinking. The video introduces the topics and promotes discussion.
Watch video Pathways to Understanding.
To Bigotry No Sanction
What did George Washington and other Founders believe about religion? Why did Washington write an official letter to a small Jewish community in 1790? What makes Washington’s letter relevant to the 21st century? TO BIGOTRY NO SANCTION is a short film that addresses these challenging questions for students of all ages. We encourage you to watch, share, and discuss as we strive to live up to Washington’s ideals today. (Video courtesy of The George Washington University Loeb Institute for Religious Freedom.)
The George Washington University Loeb Institute for Religious Freedom is committed to promoting freedom of religious belief and observance, the equality of all law-abiding religions and separation of church and state in the United States and around the world. The institute seeks to promote open, respectful discussion about religious liberty and the separation of church and state, and it explores the contemporary ramifications of these concepts in the United States and across the globe. The goal of the institute is to help students, teachers and public leaders worldwide to go beyond “mere” toleration of our religious differences to sincere respect for each other’s beliefs and observances. It is a goal that reflects George Washington’s aspirations: We must show respect for each other’s religious beliefs, even those most different from our own — so long as those ideas are lawful and contribute to a peaceful society.
Watch video To Bigotry No Sanction.