OU to Present its Highly Successful Positive Jewish Parenting Program February 3, in Southfield

12 Jan 2007

OU TO PRESENT ITS HIGHLY SUCCESSFUL POSITIVE JEWISH PARENTING SEMINAR FEBRUARY 3, AT YESHIVAT AKIVA IN SOUTHFIELD

For parents seeking to strengthen their child-rearing skills, the Orthodox Union’s Department of Community Services, in conjunction with the Yeshivat Akiva PTA, Young Israel of Oak Park and Young Israel of Southfield, will present a program of Positive Parenting Program on Saturday night, February 3.

The OU’s Positive Jewish Parenting program has been presented to large audiences across North America on a variety of practical daily parenting issues and topics, and now many Southfield area families will benefit from the program as well. It will be held at Yeshivat Akiva, 21100 W. Twelve Mile Road in Southfield at 7:30 p.m.

The presentations at this program will focus on strengthening communication, reinforcing positive Jewish values, and developing healthy self-esteem in children.

According to Frank Buchweitz, OU National Director of Community Services and Special Projects, “The OU is pleased to partner with its member congregations all over the country to benefit their communities. On February 3,” he continued, “couples in Southfield can enjoy a night out and learn from experts in the field.”

“What could be better for the Akiva parents then to participate in such an event,” declared Rabbi Dr. Yigal Tsaidi, Yeshivat Akiva’s Educational Director. “We would just like for them to be better parents, and everyone can learn to be better,” he said.

Rabbi Yechiel Morris of Young Israel of Southfield explained, “The program is essential for the community as a whole. As a community rabbi people constantly come to me with different challenges, and as a parent, I am aware of the challenges myself.”

“It is most appropriate that a program like the OU’s Positive Jewish Parenting be presented in our community and we hope that as a result, parents will be able to better understand and guide their children,” he said.

His colleague, Rabbi Reuven Spolter of Young Israel of Oak Park, agrees. “Positive Jewish Parenting is a well-known program to get great advice on how to become better at dealing with children and raising them as committed Jews in today’s world.” He emphasized that letting parents focus on parenting is important, and “even more significant,” he said,” is to be able to provide them with experts who deal with issues relevant to the Orthodox community.”

Following registration, participants may select from the following workshops.

They may choose from one of three sessions presented the first hour and then select from one of three other workshops the second hour.

Hour 1

• Raising a Mentch, with Rabbi Jerry Lob, Ph.D., or

• Instilling Positive Jewish Values in an Age of Materialism, the Internet, and Other Social Influences, with Dr. Barry Holzer, M.D., or

• Learning to Listen Effectively: A Method that Encourages Cooperation, with Bill Winkler.

Hour #2

• Building Self-Esteem in Each of Your Children, with Rabbi Lob, or

• Enhancing Communication with Our Teens, with Dr. Holzer, or

• Discipline that Teaches Responsibility and Promotes Self-Reliance, with Mr. Winkler.

The workshops will be followed by a Q & A with all of the presenters.

Dr. Barry Holzer, M.D., is a child and adult psychiatrist with a private practice in New York. He is the Director of the Center for Attention Deficit and Behavior Disorders and a co-founder of NEFESH, the International Network of Orthodox Mental Health Professionals. He is a frequent lecturer to professional and lay groups on issues of child development and child psychiatry.

Rabbi Jerry Lob, Ph.D., is a clinical psychologist in private practice in Chicago, specializing in adolescent and family therapy. He earned his Ph.D. from the Illinois School of Professional Psychology, and is a well-known author of numerous articles on parenting, marriage, and Jewish philosophy. He received his semicha (rabbinic ordination) from Beth Medresh Govoha in Lakewood, NJ and is a former fellow of the Chicago Community Kollel.

Bill Winkler has been the Director/Owner of Verbal Connections Group — a local educational consulting company that works with business, education and individuals teaching communication skills and team building — for the past 30 years. He has also taught Systematic Training for Effective Parenting (S.T.E.P.) program since 1975, and is currently the Director of Major Gifts at Wayne State University School of Medicine.

Admission is $10 per-person and $18 per couple for those who reserve in advance, and $15 per person and $25 per couple at the door. For further information and to register contact Beth Raz at 248-547-2384 or at gan@raz.net.