Beth Tikvah Toronto Tackles Parenting in a Digital Age
On January 19th, 2013 Rabbi Jarrod Grover of Toronto’s Beth Tikvah synagogue and Larry Borins, a Toronto based social worker, psychotherapist and guest speaker will team up to address an issue on every parent’s mind.
How To Raise A Teen Behind A Screen
Today’s Internet generation of parents face a situation totally different from what their parents have faced. The dynamic rate of change in which communication has gone digital and has influenced how we relate to one another, doesn’t allow for points of reference. Parents and educators can no longer ask each other “How did we handle that?” They are familiar with other risks on the road to adulthood but often lack personal experiences with cyberspace. They are the first generation challenged to set limits for their children in an area in which their children know more than they do.
As part of the synagogue’s Family Series “Dinners and Dilemmas”, Grover and Borins want to address both parents and their preteens and teens with a mediated, interactive discussion about parenting in a digital age. They will address topics like cyber-bullying and Internet misuse. They will explore questions surrounding video games and how much is too much. They will investigate whether or not the Internet and social media have deepened our connections or pulled us further apart. They will engage everyone in discussions not only around how privacy has changed, but also how the Internet acts as “permanent memory”.
Larry Borins has spent the better part of his 8 years in practice specializing and speaking on topics relating to interactions between media, communication, and culture and its influence on the psychology and behaviors of children, adolescents, parents and groups. This is what he has to say on this upcoming event, “Parents should not be daunted by this new situation. They can still draw on their life experiences to set limits. Access to the Internet and cell phones makes young people and children more independent from the adult world, and this independence entails risks as well as opportunities. This event will help parents and teens navigate this unchartered territory.”
Rabbi Jarrod Grover, who aims to provide the Jewish perspective on these topics, says “It’s great that parents are paying more attention to the problem of cyber-bullying, but few realize that there is a Jewish values-based component to the discussion. By blending both approaches at this “Dinner and Dilemmas” program, we hope to provide new insights and new perspectives for parents and children. ”
When asked why this event is important for families, Sigal Tuch, Youth & Young Family Director for the synagogue quickly replied, “Growing up can be challenging; physically, socially, emotionally. Today’s world is full of technology and for the most part I consider this progress. But it does present a new set of challenges. First, for our youth, who have to face issues that we never had to. Second, for their parents who have to navigate their children through this without having any real experiences of their own to draw on. Creating channels for communication between parents and teens is always important, especially when it encourages discussion about difficult topics. I am really excited that Beth Tikvah is offering a safe space in which to have a facilitated dialogue. A really unique, topical and exciting program that shouldn’t be missed!”
The event is open to the entire community and takes place on January 19th, 2013 at 6:30 pm. The evening includes dinner and babysitting for younger children. Registration is $50/family for non-members, $30/family for members (a family is considered 5 people). If you would like more information or you would like to register for Dinner & Dilemmas please contact Sigal Tuch at 416-221-3433 ext. 302 or [email protected].
Contacts:
For further details or questions please contact the following individuals:
Sigal Tuch [email protected] or 416-221-3433 ext. 302
Natalie Kaplan [email protected] or 416-725-6763
Larry Borins Biography:
Larry Borins is a family therapist, social worker and public speaker in Toronto with a special interest in the interactions between media, communication, and culture and its influence on the psychology and behaviors of children, adolescents, parents and groups. Along with his independent practice, Larry is best known for his group leadership and dynamic presentation style. Having facilitated workshops on topics such as Effective Parenting, Video Game Addiction, Cyberbullying, and Mindfulness- Based Stress Reduction, Larry brings a fun, entertaining and informative voice to often difficult and yet important subject matter, while creating a safe space for meaningful communication.
With a Masters from Wurzweiler School of Social Work, Yeshiva University, Larry has provided counseling services to couples, families and youth in a variety of therapeutic settings for 8 years. For more information on Larry, visit 5bs.d14.myftpupload.com
