Year 1
Session 1: Getting Started
Objectives
By the end of the session, participants will be able to:
- Understand the purpose of group
- Start getting to know each other
- Understand expectations and hopes for the year
- Get excited for the year to come!
Session 2: Transitions
Objectives
By the end of the session, participants will be able to:
- Recognize various transitions in our lives
- Identify challenges, emotions, and opportunities in transitions
- Explore ways to cope with transitions, including Jewish ritual
- Friendship
Session 3: Healthy Relationships
Objectives
By the end of the session, participants will be able to:
- Recognize healthy (non-romantic) relationships in our lives
- Identify the qualities of a healthy friendship
- Understand the importance of healthy friendships and how they can support us
Session 4: Self-Compassion
Objectives
By the end of the session, participants will be able to:
- Raise awareness around how we think about ourselves and treat ourselves
- Make space to explore our strengths and great things about ourselves
- Learn about self-care
Session 5: Bodies and Expression
Objectives
By the end of the session, participants will be able to:
- Explore and critique media messages about trans bodies (beauty ideals)
- Understand that there is no “right” way to be trans/non-binary
- Recognize the importance of taking care of our bodies
Session 6: Mental Health
Objectives
By the end of the session, participants will be able to:
- Diminish stigma around discussing mental health
- Learn about mental health risk factors and stats for cis and trans teens
- Learn about resources to support mental health wellness/crisis intervention
- Explore coping mechanisms and internal strengths to cope with mental health issues
Session 7: Sex, Dating, and Intimacy
Objectives
By the end of the session, participants will be able to:
- Identify what we look for in romantic partners
- Understand boundaries and warning signs of abuse
- Understand consent
Session 8: My People/Our People
Objectives
By the end of the session, participants will be able to:
- Understand our own identities
- Explore how our various identities impact/interact with each other
- Learn about trans Jewish role models
- Meet/hear from trans Jews today
Session 9: Closing and Reflection
Objectives
By the end of the session, participants will be able to:
- Process the year’s end
- Reflect on our year together
- Express group appreciation
Year 2
Session 1: Welcome [Back] to Tzelem
Session 2: I am Becoming: Goals and Personal Growth
Session 3: Self-Care
Session 4: Connection and Communication
Session 5: Sexuality and Desire
Session 6: [More] Mental Health
Session 7: Our History
Session 8: Activism and Power
Session 9: Closing
Optional Session: Risk taking
Additional Sessions
Soul
Body
Identity
Wisdom
Courage
Stress
Sessions for Parents of Teens
Risky Business: How Parents Can Help Teens Make Good Choices
In this session, we explore messages teens receive about risks and courage from media, society, and Judaism, as well as the developmental and evolutionary aspects of taking risk. Parents consider where they want to draw the line between acceptable or unacceptable risk-taking behaviors and reflect on how they might help their teens make thoughtful, healthy, and safe decisions.
Demystifying Teen Language on Gender
The program aims to educate parents about the significance of language in affirming teen identities. It provides tools for parents to initiate meaningful conversations about identity with their teens, including sensitive topics. The program also explores the connection between Jewish and gender identity, a core aspect of their teen education approach, emphasizing personal growth, connections, and social justice. Additionally, it connects parents with resources and experts in LGBTQ+ advocacy and mental health support, highlighting partner organizations in this field.
Antisemitism and Teen Wellbeing
Parents will explore their own feelings and experiences so they can be more available and prepared for discussions with teens. We introduce a social and emotional approach to helping teens respond to antisemitism as a component of wellbeing. We will help parents understand a few core different approaches to antisemitism and provide tools to support teens in being able to do this for themselves. Finally, parents will be equipped to talk about and identify four of the most common false and destructive antisemitic tropes.
Knowing Your Limits: How to Talk to Your Teens About Boundaries & Consent
Parents will explore the concept of personal space and reflect on how that plays out with their teens. They will practice navigating the basic elements of positive, physical connection. Parents will reflect on their roles and experiences to better help their teens in setting boundaries while they practice communicating and setting boundaries.
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Your gift to Moving Traditions emboldens Jewish youth to thrive through the pursuit of personal wellbeing (shleimut), caring relationships (hesed), and a Jewish and feminist vision of equity and justice (tzedek).