Jewish Congregation Creates Sexuality Course for Kids

Nearly a decade ago, Temple Beth El member Barbara Green sought out a human sexuality class for her son that was based on Jewish values. As the temple-offered classes were not age-appropriate for Green’s then-adolescent son, she approached Rabbi Judith Schindler with the idea of creating such a program.

“The purpose of teaching religion is to give our children the tools they will need to live ethical, holy, successful and productive lives,” said Schindler. “We need to educate them with knowledge surrounding all aspects of life — human sexuality included.”

Green, a licensed physical therapist specializing in pelvic dysfunction, worked with Schindler to assemble a group of experts to develop the curriculum. Contributor Tammy Seigel has social work expertise as well as 25 years in religious and Hebrew school education. “We had a responsibility as a Jewish community to educate our children about sexuality,” said Seigel, and to create “a place they could come to talk about anything.”

The experts retooled the “Our Whole Lives” comprehensive sex education curriculum designed by the United Church of Christ and the Unitarian Universalist Association, and launched “Just Say Know” for sixth-graders seven years ago.

The program includes a “Relationships and Sex in Judaism” handout created by temple Cantor Andrew Bernard using the six points of the Star of David (reflecting six Jewish principles —holiness, respect, acceptance, commitment, resisting peer pressure and self-respect) and biblical text. Co-ed classes developed for eighth- and ninth-graders offer discussions covering sexual identity, suicide, abuse, health and safety, puberty and bullying.

The Friends of AIDS Foundation is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for HIV positive individuals and empowering people to make healthy choices to prevent the spread of the HIV virus. To learn more about The Friends of AIDS Foundation, please visit: http://www.friendsofaids.org.

TOGETHER WE REMAIN STRONG!