Last year I taught the Old Testament in my LDS Seminary class. This year I am teaching the New Testament. As I teach I like to help my students to be aware of the Jewish Holidays as they occur. I am learning many things right along with the students. As I discover and share with my students, I will post them on here so that you will be able to see the things that we have learned. Just click on the picture to take you to the link that will give you more information.

Making the Jewish connection with your class

There is an excellent talk by President Ezra Taft Benson called "A Message To Judah From Joseph" that is a great source to share with your students.

Here is a quote from that talk:

You will recall the episode of Joseph and his brethren in the Old Testament, and how he was sold into Egypt. You will remember that, because of a famine in the land of Canaan, his brethren were compelled to go to Egypt to purchase corn from the granaries. Joseph had risen to the position of governor over the land, and was in charge of those granaries. One of the most touching scenes recorded in the Torah is when Joseph made himself known to his brethren: “I am Joseph your brother …” (Gen. 45:4.)

To you, our friends of modern Judah, we declare, “We are Joseph, your brothers.” We claim kinship with you as descendants from our fathers, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. We belong to the same family. We, too, are the house of Israel.

There is yet another parallel to this story of Joseph.

The brethren of Joseph in times past came to him during a famine for physical sustenance. Today there is another famine in the land, “not a famine of bread, nor a thirst of water, but of hearing the words of the Lord.”

Mormon and Jewish Delegation Gathers at Historic Jerusalem Site

28 OCTOBER 2016

Elder Holland and Elder Quentin L. Cook of the Church’s Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and Elder James J. Hamula of the Seventy traveled to Jerusalem to commemorate the 175th anniversary of Orson Hyde's visit to the Holy Land.
A quote from Elder Holland's talk:

"This is too brief an account to do justice to such a magnificent story, but I hope it explains something of the brotherhood we feel for you, and our doctrinal devotion to the history, anguish, blessings, and future destiny of the tribes of Israel generally and the Jewish people specifically. Perhaps it is appropriate to close this inadequate summary with the words of the prophet Zechariah:

“Sing and rejoice, O daughter of Zion: for, lo, I come, and I will dwell in the midst of thee, saith the Lord.

“And many nations shall be joined to the Lord in that day, and shall be my people: and I will dwell in the midst of thee, and thou shalt know that the Lord of hosts hath sent me unto thee.

“And the Lord shall inherit Judah his portion in the holy land, and shall choose Jerusalem again.”[8]

We believe the work of modern Elder Orson Hyde has played a key role in God choosing Jerusalem again in the fulness of times. We pray for the preservation of the Jewish people and for their peaceful association with all who dwell in what is truly the Holy Land."

There are several videos of this visit that you can show your class. It is really a wonderful source to share with your class.

http://www.mormonnewsroom.org/article/mormon-jewish-delegation-jerusalem?cid=HP_MO_31-10-2016_dPAD_fMNWS_xLIDyL2-4_

Give your students an Hebrew name

http://my-hebrew-name.com/