Tzelem Session Summaries

Year 1

Session 1: Getting Started

Objectives

By the end of the session, participants will be able to:

  • Understand the purpose of group
  • Start getting to know each other
  • Understand expectations and hopes for the year
  • Get excited for the year to come!

Session 2: Transitions

Objectives

By the end of the session, participants will be able to:

  • Recognize various transitions in our lives
  • Identify challenges, emotions, and opportunities in transitions
  • Explore ways to cope with transitions, including Jewish ritual
  • Friendship

Session 3: Healthy Relationships

Objectives

By the end of the session, participants will be able to:

  • Recognize healthy (non-romantic) relationships in our lives
  • Identify the qualities of a healthy friendship
  • Understand the importance of healthy friendships and how they can support us

Session 4: Self-Compassion

Objectives

By the end of the session, participants will be able to:

  • Raise awareness around how we think about ourselves and treat ourselves
  • Make space to explore our strengths and great things about ourselves
  • Learn about self-care

Session 5: Bodies and Expression

Objectives

By the end of the session, participants will be able to:

  • Explore and critique media messages about trans bodies (beauty ideals)
  • Understand that there is no “right” way to be trans/non-binary
  • Recognize the importance of taking care of our bodies

Session 6: Mental Health

Objectives

By the end of the session, participants will be able to:

  • Diminish stigma around discussing mental health
  • Learn about mental health risk factors and stats for cis and trans teens
  • Learn about resources to support mental health wellness/crisis intervention
  • Explore coping mechanisms and internal strengths to cope with mental health issues

Session 7: Sex, Dating, and Intimacy

Objectives

By the end of the session, participants will be able to:

  • Identify what we look for in romantic partners
  • Understand boundaries and warning signs of abuse
  • Understand consent

Session 8: My People/Our People

Objectives

By the end of the session, participants will be able to:

  • Understand our own identities
  • Explore how our various identities impact/interact with each other
  • Learn about trans Jewish role models
  • Meet/hear from trans Jews today

Session 9: Closing and Reflection

Objectives

By the end of the session, participants will be able to:

  • Process the year’s end
  • Reflect on our year together
  • Express group appreciation

Year 2

Session 1: Welcome [Back] to Tzelem
Session 2: I am Becoming: Goals and Personal Growth
Session 3: Self-Care
Session 4: Connection and Communication
Session 5: Sexuality and Desire
Session 6: [More] Mental Health
Session 7: Our History
Session 8: Activism and Power
Session 9: Closing
Optional Session: Risk taking

Additional Sessions:

Soul
Body
Identity
Wisdom
Courage
Stress