Walking Our Beliefs - Agree & Disagree Barometer

Walking Our Beliefs - Agree & Disagree Barometer

This module can be used with young adults, youth groups, student groups, shabbatons, and other Jewish education spaces. The activity is geared towards older teens and young adults and promotes critical thinking, advocacy, leadership, and taking action in relation to participants’ Jewish identity.

Age Group: 16+

Group Size: Up to 30 participants

Time: 60 minutes

Materials Needed

• Copies of the Jewish Timeline brochure

• Discussion prompt cards (prepared beforehand)

• Blank sheets of paper or journals

Instructions

Step 1. Opening and Setup

• Label one side of the room 'Strongly Agree' and the other 'Strongly Disagree.'

• Explain that: 'Jewish history includes times of persecution, resilience, and rebuilding. Today, we want to think about how that history connects to our own identities, Israel, and our responsibilities as Jews. This activity is about exploring our beliefs—not finding one right answer.' Without this framing, some participants may feel like they’re being tested on correct answers.

• Explain that participants will take part in an activity where they vote with their feet. Each participant works independently, moving within the room according to their own opinions and beliefs.

• The leader presents 6–8 pre-prepared statements and reads them aloud. For example:

“Israel is central to my Jewish identity.”, “Every Jew has a responsibility to engage with Israel.”

• Participants move to a spot that reflects their opinion and discuss why they chose that position each time the facilitator reads a statement.

Step 2. Reflection

• After all the statements are read, participants are invited to sit in a circle.

• The facilitator announces the statements and asks participants if they would like to share which spot they chose and why.

• As the facilitator goes through the list of statements, participants are encouraged to reflect on their position and engage in meaningful dialogue.

• Ask reflective questions: “Did your opinion shift as you listened to others?”, “Was there a moment when you stood alone? How did that feel?”

• Historical connection: Link one or two statements back to events in the timeline (e.g., 'How might the Shoah shape your perspective on the statement that Israel is central to Jewish survival?'). This anchors the activity in history, not just present-day politics.

Facilitator Tips

• Keep the conversations open-ended and participant-led.

• Encourage personal storytelling and connection.

• Balance voices: If a few participants dominate, invite quieter ones by asking, 'Would anyone standing closer to the middle like to share why?'