The vision for this educational resource that is "positive, educational, and memorable" came from SCoJeC Education and Community Development Worker Zoe Jacobs, who designed our programme of talks and activities about Judaism for schools and community groups, and developed a training programme to equip volunteers to deliver these sessions.

Zoe said, “It is vital that young people come out of the Judaism session having enjoyed it, and associate Judaism and Jewish people with something fun and interesting. I’d also like it to be memorable, so when a few weeks later the teacher refers to the JOES BOX artefacts and their lesson on Judaism, the children remember it as a real highlight. And lastly, I would, of course, be quite pleased if they learned something from it!”

The boxes include a range of objects, listed below, that can all be used to stimulate interest about Judaism and understanding of the Jewish way of life – as Zoe said at the launch, "to increase the quality of Jewish education, deepen understanding, and make abstract ideas and people, real and living."

The initiative has been welcomed by Joe Walker, Senior Education Officer for Religious and Moral Education at Education Scotland, who has described the resources as "authentic – the real deal", and encourages teachers to use them as "to help young people engage, and ask the deep and meaningful questions." 

Any schools wishing to borrow one of JOES Boxes should contact their local Education Authority.

Click here or on the image to the right to read the full information booklet listing the contents of each box and giving brief details about each item.