Friday-Night Program: Jewish Adolescent Identity

(Adult Education)

Jewish Adolescent Identity: The Role of the Family
(A presentation by Professor Maurice J. Elias of Rutgers University)

Adolescents are a source of many oys and joys for parents.  We will look at what Judaism contributes to the development of a healthy identity in Jewish teenagers—as well as younger children.  Drawing from The Joys and Oys of Parenting:  Wisdom and Insights from the Jewish Tradition, author and Rutgers Professor of Psychology and contributing faculty in Jewish Studies Maurice Elias will share practical suggestions for small but important changes in family life, including the special role of Shabbat, rituals and routines, and acts of kindness and appreciation.

Maurice J. Elias, Ph.D., is Professor of Psychology at Rutgers, Director of the Social-Emotional and Character Development Lab and co-Director of the Academy for Social-Emotional Learning in Schools and Rutgers’ Collaborative Center for Community Based Research and Service.  He writes a social-emotional and character development blog for Edutopia and is a longtime resident of Highland Park and member of the Highland Park Conservative Temple-Congregation Anshe Emeth.

The IL Peretz Secular Jewish Community’s Adult Education Programs educate our members in engaging ways about Jewish heritage and the world around us.