In 2011, Hebrew College and CJP’s Commission on Jewish Life and Learning piloted three Parenting Your Teen… Through a Jewish Lens classes—at Temple Isaiah, Lexington; Temple Beth Elohim, Wellesley; and at Makor/Prozdor, Hebrew College. This winter we are offering seven such classes at sites throughout Greater Boston. Check out our website for information on the “curriculum,” our outstanding instructors, locations, and to register.
In addition to introducing Jewish wisdom on parenting, instructors helped participants to realize that “what is driving them up a wall is really typical behavior.” “The class,” in the words of one parent, “afforded us a specific time and place to air our concerns, discuss challenges we face, and gain clarity. I left each session feeling refreshed and grateful.”
In a world that “sometimes moves way too fast,” Parenting Your Teen bolsters participants by helping them clarify what they wish to impart. It furnishes stories, stretching back to the Hebrew Bible, that illustrate that making mistakes is part of adolescent development. It provides opportunities for parents to practice effective communication, even in the face of unexpected or destructive behavior. Judaism’s moral values anchor the discussions. In the words of one parent, “I connected with content I did not know was there! I connected with other parents in a synagogue context, in a forum that is not available anywhere else.”
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