October, 2005

Addressing the Challenge of Raising Today’s Children, OU to Present Positive Jewish Parenting Conference in Queens, with Rabbi Weinreb as Keynote Speaker

Following its great success earlier this year, in which more than eight hundred people attended its Positive Jewish Parenting conference in Brooklyn, the Orthodox Union will once again address relevant and timely issues facing observant families at a similar conference in Queens on Sunday, November 20, 2005.

The Positive Jewish Parenting conference will be held at Lander College, 75-31 150 Street, Kew Gardens Hills, from 8:45 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Admission is free.

Rabbi Dr. Tzvi Hersh Weinreb, OU Executive Vice President and a renowned clinical psychologist, will deliver the keynote address following workshops conducted by leading Orthodox mental health professionals.

At the conference, parents of elementary and high school students will have the opportunity to interact with experts in the fields of child and adolescent psychology, with the goal of gaining useful advice, practical ideas and parenting skills suggestions from the professionals. “Positive Jewish Parenting addresses practical approaches to real-life occurrences in family settings. Parents leave the workshops with suggestions and ideas that will enhance their parenting skills,” declared Frank Buchweitz, OU Director of Community and Special Projects, and coordinator of the conference.

This program is being underwritten by F.E.G.S, one of the country’s largest health and human services organizations, and held in conjunction with the Board of Jewish Education of Greater New York, MASK, Vaad Harabbonim of Queens, Lander College, Queens Jewish Agency Coalition, and Bukharian Jewish Congress of America – Community Center. The Positive Jewish Parenting national program is sponsored in part through a grant from the Goldstein family and Parkside Memorial Chapels.

Alongside its developing program of Safe Homes, Safe Shuls and Safe Schools, the conference is part of the OU’s national initiative of Positive Jewish Parenting programs of the Department of Community and Synagogue Services, with conferences held throughout North America attracting capacity audiences. Families attending these conferences encompass the entire spectrum of the Orthodox community, as they share the common goal of raising their children successfully.

“Positive Jewish Parenting is a can’t miss event for positive Jewish parents,” declared Emanuel J. Adler, Chair of the OU Commission on Community and Synagogue Services.

As at the Brooklyn parenting conference, two sessions on combating substance and alcohol abuse have been included in an attempt to address recent concerns that have arisen in all segments of the Orthodox community. “We have included these workshops to educate parents, since knowledge empowers families, and this is an important issue,” explained Rabbi Moshe D. Krupka, OU National Executive Director.

“It is always difficult to raise a child, and especially in this day and age when society offers so many temptations,” declared OU President Stephen J. Savitsky. “This conference, with its extraordinary roster of presenters and Rabbi Weinreb’s keynote, is a must for every parent.”

Doors open at 8:45 a.m. There will be two concurrent workshop sessions of eight presentations each, from which parents can select one workshop from each session (or with mothers and fathers choosing separate workshops within each session). The first extends from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., with the second session following from 10:40 a.m. to 11:40 a.m. Separate seating will be available for the keynote address by Rabbi Weinreb at 11:50 a.m., which concludes the program. Audio Tapes of workshops and keynote will be sold on the premises upon conclusion of the sessions.

9:30am – 10:30am – Session One

1. Overcoming Sibling Rivalry – Norman Blumenthal, Ph.D.

2. Developing a Positive Relationship with Your Children – Barry Holzer, M.D., Chanie Holzer, LMSW

3. Helping Our Children Develop and Maintain Positive Self Esteem – Aviva Biberfeld, Ph.D.

4. NO, Is Part of Caring…Setting Limits with Love - Rosa Roberts, LCSW

5. Parenting Without Guilt or Fear – Melech Press, Ph.D.

6. Responding to Anger in Your Child – Rabbi Simcha Feuerman, LCSW

7. Adolescent Alcohol and Drugs: Why It Starts, How to Spot It, Stop It, and Get Help – Lewis Abrams, LCSW

8. How to Raise Teens and Maintain Your Sanity - Aliza Frohlich, Ph.D.

10:40am – 11:40am – Session Two

1. Oppositional Behavior - Norman Blumenthal, Ph.D.

2. Developing Positive Self-Esteem in Children - Rochelle Harary, M.S.

3. Effective Discipline Techniques for Pre-teens and Teens - Aviva Biberfeld, Ph.D.

4. “The Three R’s”-Rational, Responsible, and Resilient Teens: Parents as Ablers/Enablers - Aliza Frohlich, Ph.D.

5. Developing a Positive Body Image in a Weight-Conscious Society – Orna Neutra, LMSW, Menachem Poznansky, MSW

6. Getting your Adolescent to Listen: Effective Techniques for Managing Your Teenager – Alex Bailey, Psy.D.

7. Anxiety and Depression in Kids and Teens: When it’s Normal and When it’s a Problem – Rachel Pill, LCSW

8. Signs and Symptoms: Identifying Different Drugs and their Effects on the Individual – Joshua Lamm, M.D.

11:50 am – 1:00 pm – Keynote Presentation

Rabbi Tzvi Hersh Weinreb, Ph.D. followed by Q&A session with a panel of workshop presenters.

For more information contact Frank Buchweitz at 212-613-8188 or frank@ou.org.

* * *

The Orthodox Union, now in its second century of service to the Jewish community of North America and beyond, is a world leader in community and synagogue services, adult education, youth work through NCSY, political action through the IPA, and advocacy for persons with disabilities through Yachad and Our Way. Its kosher supervision label, the , is the world’s most recognized kosher symbol and can be found on over 409,000 products manufactured in 83 countries around the globe.

www.ou.org

Comments? Requests? Questions?

Orthodox Union Department of Communications and Marketing David Olivestone Director Stephen Steiner Director of Public Relations Main Office: 11 Broadway, New York, NY 10004 Phone: 212.613.8318 Fax: 212-613-0763 E-mail: steiners@ou.org  |  media@ou.org

OUPR Archives Recent statements to the press: 2003  |  2002  |  2001  |  2000  |  1999  |  1998