Teens and Trust: Building Bridges in Jewish Education Book

Based on their many years of experience, the authors share their knowledge with those who struggle to help Jewish children emerge into adulthood. Through examination of case studies, this book provides both theoretical and practical knowledge for anyone who works with Jewish youth. This book is for anyone who deals with teens or preteens in a Jewish context—teachers, principals, guidance counselors, camp or youth group workers, rabbis, or students going into one of these fields. Although many of the cases presented involved the intervention of social workers, psychologists, psychiatrists, or competent rabbinic authorities, this book is not aimed at them or intended to replace their particular expertise. In fact, many of the cases in this book, particularly those dealing with such areas as suicide, eating disorders, or abuse, are meant to alert the educator to what is beyond his or her expertise.

This is not a cookbook; no recipe here will exactly duplicate your situation. This is a collection of possibilities to be explored by the creative chef—seasonings have to be individually adjusted and adapted. Teens & Trust is also supposed to be an alarm clock—to wake you up to possibilities you might otherwise have overlooked. We tried to be (often painfully) frank when we “blew it.” We hope this encourages our readers to do the same and to be aware that it is often the misstep or missed opportunity that becomes the greatest source of insight if pain and disappointment are not allowed to divert us from the lesson to be learned.

Finally, working with teenagers is rewarding. Building a trust relationship that allows us to promote Jewish values in their lives is a rare and exhilarating privilege.