Positively Torah

by Ellen Rank, Susan Tessel

Overview

Positively Torah combines classic Torah study with modern principles of positive psychology, empowering 5th to 7th graders to recognize character strengths in Torah heroes and in themselves. Tested and refined in pilot study groups, each of the 14 chapters includes biblical text, character strength definitions, and a range of creative activities and journal prompts. A teaching guide with step-by-step support for educators is available separately.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781681151632
Publisher:	Behrman House, Incorporated
Publication date:	06/30/2026
Pages:	144
Product dimensions:	8.50(w) x 11.00(h) x 0.00(d)
Age Range:	10 - 13 Years

About the Author

Ellen Rank is an education consultant. She served as a Senior Congregational Education Consultant for The Jewish Education Project, has been an education director, has taught in congregational schools, day schools, and college, has presented many workshops on pedagogy, and has mentored Davidson students at the Jewish Theological Seminary since 1998. She served as a writer and associate editor of the MaToK Bible Curriculum and is the author and editor of numerous Jewish educational books published by Behrman House. Ellen has written several curricular pieces for a variety of organizations. She holds an MA in Classical Hebrew Literature from the University of Pennsylvania and an MS in Jewish Education from the Jewish Theological Seminary. She lives in Syosset, New York.

Susan Tessel graduated Summa Cum Laude from University of Pennsylvania (BA,MS). She has completed doctoral coursework at JTS and Teacher’s College at Columbia University. Susan is a veteran teacher who has taught in Day school, public high school and supplementary schools. Susan worked for the Board of Jewish Education (BJE) and served as Director of the Westchester Teacher’s Center for many years. She ran B'yachad , a teacher training immersive fellowship, for a decade. When the BJE became The Jewish Education Project, she became a senior consultant in Leadership and worked there until the outset of Covid. She has run national networks in God talk, Thriving and Teaching Tefilla. She lives in Riverdale, New York.