For Parents

May 22, 2013 | 13th Sivan 5773

Parent, Child, Baby, Families
Parents are their children's most powerful Jewish teachers. When you learn with your children, you are a model for lifelong Jewish learning. The resources here are designed to help you learn as adults and as a family.

Jewish Parenting Podcasts

Download short, helpful segments from noted parenting experts and listen on the go, or right at your computer.

Young Children

Bedtime Rituals
Prayers and Rituals to turn bedtime into Jewish time.
Berit Mila Program of Reform Judaism: National Organization of American Mohalim
The Berit Mila Program of Reform Judaism seeks to make the age old practice of berit mila available to Jewish families as a meaningful and relevant Jewish lifecycle ritual.
Brit Milah FAQs
Some frequently asked questions on the Brit Milah ceremony.
Family Shabbat Table Talk
Based on the Torah portion, these web-archived sheets include tips on how to have a family discussion with young children.
Got Shabbat
Great resources for parents and young children to celebrate together.
Holiday Happenings for Parents
This page provides parents and teachers of young children age-appropriate teachings and crafts.
How can parents talk to children about community tragedies?
Morning Rituals
Prayers and Rituals to turn morning into Jewish time.
The Jewish Parent Page
Great ideas for educating children about the Jewish holidays.

Discuss Parenting Issues on RJ Blog

Rabbi Eric Yoffie on Youth Engagement

Sermon at Congregation Ner Tamid during URJ Board of Trustees Meeting in Henderson, NV
December 10, 2010

Older Children

CHAI Family Education
The CHAI Jewish Family Education Curriculum is a comprehensive curriculum that helps congregations and families strengthen their commitment to living Jewish lives.
Campaign for Youth Engagement: Committing to the Jewish Future
Does your congregation do enough to engage your teenage children? Let them know about the URJ's Youth Engagement initiative.
Find a URJ Camp in Your Area
The URJ and its 13 camps throughout North America are committed to the health and safety of every child entrusted to our care, and the creation of caring communities with programs that enrich and transform lives by strengthening Jewish identity, teaching Jewish knowledge, instilling Jewish values and cultivating lifelong friendships within a vibrant and fun community of living Reform Judaism.
NFTY Parents Guide
NFTY works hard to partner with the parents of NFTYites in order to provide the best experience for all of our participants.
RJ Insider's Guide to College Life
Reducing undergrad stress, finding the right school, the top 60 schools Jews choose and more.
RJTeen
The portal to Reform Jewish teen life, providing easy access to the world of Progressive Jewish High School programs in North America and around the world.
Resources for Parents of Adolescents
Great resources for teaching resilience, sexual education, and dealing with mental health issues, all from a Jewish perspective.
Significant Jewish Books
Books on Jewish topics for continuing study, recommended yearly by the Union for Reform Judaism's education specialists.

Recommended Reading

Abraham, Michelle Shapiro. Good Morning, Boker Tov and Good Night, Lilah Tov. UAHC Press, 2002.

Abramowitz, Yosef I., and Silverman, Rabbi Susan. Jewish Family and Life: Traditions, Holidays, and Values for Today's Parents and Children. Golden Books,1997.

Brichto, Mira Pollack. The God Around Us: Unending Wonder. UAHC Press, 2001.

Danan, Julie Hilton. The Jewish Parent's Almanac. Jason Aronson, Inc, 1997.

Diamant, Anita. The New Jewish Baby Book: Summit Books, 1994.

Diamant, Anita, and Kushner, Karen. How to Be a Jewish Parent. Schocken Books, Inc., 2000.

Doades, Joanne, Parenting Jewish Teens: A Guide for the Perplexed. Jewish Lights Punlishing, 2007.

Freedman, Rabbi B.; Greenberg, Jan; and Katz, Karen. What Does Being Jewish Mean? Read-Aloud Responses to Questions Jewish Children Ask About History, Culture and Religion. Prentice-Hall, Inc., 1991.

Gellman, Marc, and Hartman, Thomas. How Do You Spell God? William Morrow & Co., 1995.

Grishaver, Joel Lurie. Ten Attitudes of Highly Effective Jewish Grandparents: Patterns for Enhancing & Sustaining Your Grandchildren's Jewishness. (16-page booklet) Torah Aura Productions, 4423 Fruitland Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90058, 1995. Tel: (800) BETORAH (213) 585-7312.

Kurshan, Neil. Raising Your Child To Be a Mensch. Ivy Books, 1987.

Kushner, Rabbi Harold. When Children Ask About God. Schocken Books Inc., 1995.

Kushner, Lawrence, and Kushner, Karen. Because Nothing Looks Like God. Skylight Paths, 2001.

Mogel, Wendy. The Blessing of a B Minus: Using Jewish Teachings to Raise Resilient Teenagers. Scribner Publishing, 2010.

Mogel, Wendy. The Blessing of a Skinned Knee: Using Jewish Teachings to Raise Self-Reliant Children. Scribner Publishing, 2001.

Olitzky, Rabbi Kerry M.; Rosman, Rabbi Steven M.; and Kasakove, David P..When Your Jewish Child Asks Why: Answers for Tough Questions. Ktav Publishing House, 1993.