Parenting teenagers can be both rewarding and challenging. Raising Up Teens Through Jewish Wisdom is a new six-session program pilot designed to help parents of Jewish teens build a strong, supportive community. This initiative provides a space for parents to engage in meaningful conversations, learn together, and strengthen their ability to parent proactively. The program is deeply rooted in Jewish wisdom, informed by research on adolescent development, and attuned to the unique challenges Jewish teens and their families face today.
Program Details
- Each session is two hours, including 30 minutes of social time to foster community and connection.
- Monthly virtual meetings from November to April 2025
Sessions are staffed by a clergy member and a social worker at each of our pilot partners, utilizing materials developed by Moving Traditions, with insights from senior advisors Dr. Betsy Stone and Dr. Julie Hirshfield. Their combined expertise will help guide discussions and provide valuable perspectives on Jewish values, adolescent psychology, and effective parenting strategies.
The sessions will include essential parenting topics, including:
- How is parenting teens different from parenting younger children?
- How can Judaism support us in giving our teens the love they need in ways that resonate with them?
- How can understanding adolescent brain development enhance our parenting approach?
- How can we maintain positivity while addressing the challenges of adolescence?
- What differentiates a “normal” adolescent struggle from a crisis?
- How might parenting within a strong community support both us and our teens?
Values in Action
Each session also incorporates psychological principles and Mussar values, which grounds the discussions in Jewish tradition while addressing modern parenting concerns. Here are the core values that shape the sessions:
Chesed: Cultivating Love in the Face of Disconnection
- Understanding teens’ developmental needs for warmth and affection
- Strengthening communication skills to promote closeness and minimize disconnection
Menuchat HaNefesh: Cultivating Calm in the Face of Anxiety
- Gaining insight into teens’ emotional stability
- Developing self-regulation skills to support both teens and parents
- Recognizing personal needs for emotional support
Seder: Bringing a Sense of Order to a Time of Confusion
- Understanding the importance of predictability in teens’ lives
- Enhancing skills in providing structure for emotional, practical, and time-management needs
Simcha and Tikvah: Parenting with Joy, Positivity, and Optimism
- Recognizing the role of positive thinking and emotions in resilience
- Reflecting on personal and teen needs for joy and gratitude
- Learning skills to foster a more uplifting and hopeful home environment
Ka’as: Navigating Anger — Theirs and Ours
- Understanding the role of anger in teen development
- Recognizing personal and teen anger triggers
- Developing self-regulation and communication strategies to de-escalate conflicts
Gevurah: Creating Security, Honoring Risk-Taking, and Setting Limits
- Learning the significance of secure boundaries in adolescent development
- Understanding the role of limits in fostering self-esteem and a sense of meaning
- Enhancing skills in setting and maintaining appropriate boundaries with teens
Funding Partners
