“Gonna Make Peace” by “Miss” Emily Aronoff Teck
Track # 13 from Good Choices, Volume 2
Inspiration Text
“May The One who makes peace in high places make peace upon us” - found in the Sim Shalom blessing of the Amidah
“Gonna Make Peace” Activity
Ask students the following questions:
What does the word peace mean?
What parts of your life or our world need more peace?
What can you do about increasing peace when you grow up?
What can you do about increasing peace today?
Show students this project made by elementary-age kids at Temple Emanu-El in Palm Beach Island: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JpYXSsVY7C8. Introduce the video by directing attention to the action words of the song. For example, “We are going to watch a short movie created by Jewish children who share a lot of things in common with you. They made this movie using this song to share their ideas about the good work they could help do in their world. I wonder if you could do some of the same things that they want to try …”
After viewing, ask students to recollect the ideas shared by the children and then add more ideas. When students perform these actions, commend them on their work. For example, “Wow! I admire the way you’re using kind words to talk to each other. You’re helping make the world a more peaceful place.” Or “Thanks for making the world a more peaceful place by comforting a friend.”
Have students brainstorm ideas regarding how they can fix the world today. Collect the ideas, displaying them in a visible location (for example, on a whiteboard, smart board, or poster) and write them in short phrases that include a verb and noun. Ask students to choose a goal to illustrate. Give each child a page and then bind his or her art into a book, display it as a bulletin board, or make it into a slideshow. Let the illustrations guide the class as they sing their own version of the song. Sing the song, inserting their goals into the melody in place of “make peace.” Sing as many turns of the song, in this way, as there are ideas. Consider making your own presentation like the above video.
Lyrics
We’re gonna make peace in this world, peace in this world, peace in this world.
We’re gonna share love in this world, love in this world, love in this world.
We’re gonna pray for this world, pray for this world, pray for this world.
Please G-d, make peace in this world, peace in this world, peace in this world.
Oseh Shalom, Bimromav hu yaaseh shalom aleinu. (x2)
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