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March 2013
FOCUS ON YOUTH
Attunement: Passover is not just about familiar tunes Education Corner
By Sara Steinmetz
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he clattering of pots, the running of water, and the rattling of the food processor amid the chatter of children depict the common Erev Pesach commotion as we industriously prepare for the seder. As we think about the seder we visualize a beautifully set table, delectable foods and familiar tunes. The seder certainly includes the infamous tunes of the MaNishtana, Dayenu and Chad Gadya. These tunes
dominate the seder as all chime in. Although assuring that children have a sense of familiarity with traditional Jewish songs, parents need to embrace the delicate balance of parental attunement, which is the core of good parenting. Attunement has two dimensions. On the one hand, attunement is viewed positively when it fosters a strong inner bond with a child. Conversely, too much attunement in today’s day and age can have negative repercussions. Parents today are sometimes overly attuned to their child, to the point where they practically assume full accountability for all their child’s responsibilities. Hence, a parent finds oneself doing things that just a decade ago were easily performed
by the child. I often hear from parents how children begrudgingly perform their chores and resent being asked to assist around the house. Although I am not immune from this, when this occurs, I remind myself that too much attunement appears to be overprotective, thus sheltering a child from developing the coping skills to deal with obstacles, adversity or tension. Another reality is the technology and social media phenomena that keep parents busy and up-to-date with the latest research as well as the latest gossip. With all the distractions that technology provides, many parents go through the physical motions that display attunement, but in reality the emotional attunement is nil.
Tweens and teens who seek to find their sense of autonomy may sometimes react defiantly to attunement as they commonly complain of overbearing and overprotective parents. This is a serious dilemma faced by many, and by demonstrating good communication, true compassion and earnest concern, we can fuse the bond with our children. As we approach the Passover holiday let us implore of G-d to help us to pass over the parenting issues and dilemmas we face. And as we hum the Passover tunes, let us reflect on the delicate balance of proper attunement for our children. Sara Steinmetz is Educational Director at Chabad of Sarasota
UCF opening “Google-inspired” Hillel center for one of the largest Jewish campus populations
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esponding to a continuing surge in its Jewish student population, the University of Central Florida (UCF) is preparing to open a new 20,000-square-foot Hillel facility, which has been uniquely designed to be a center for creativity, social action, student leadership development and Jewish activities. With more than 6,000 Jewish undergraduate students, UCF has the sec-
ond largest Jewish student population of any public university in the United States. Increasing demand for Jewish student services led Central Florida Hillel to plan its new facility, which is scheduled to open in August 2013 on the ground floor of UCF’s newly constructed NorthView complex. “The new Hillel facility will add an exciting new dimension to Jewish campus life at UCF,” said Hank Katzen, chairman of the Board of Directors of Central Florida Hillel. “Beginning in August, we will finally have a destination that is designed to meet our diverse programs and needs, while appealing to the individual lifestyles and interests of our students.” UCF’s Jewish students will benefit from a 21st century “GoogleA recent construction photo of NorthView, the complex that will house the new Hillel center inspired” Hillel, designed
to tap into student creativity and to empower students to create their own visions of Jewish community on campus. The facility will feature a modern theater, game room, café, lounge areas, meeting rooms and various other amenities. NorthView’s upper floors will feature ultra-modern, upscale housing for 600 UCF students. Centrally located directly across the street from Bright House Stadium, NorthView combines convenient campus access with an array of sophisticated amenities and satisfying social opportunities unparalleled by any other housing option at UCF. About Central Florida Hillel Central Florida Hillel serves not only one of the largest Jewish campus populations in North America, it also is emerging as one of the most innovative Hillel programs in the country. As an accredited affiliate of Hillel: The Foundation for Jewish Campus Life, the world’s largest Jewish cam-
pus-based organization, Central Florida Hillel’s mission is to enrich the lives of Jewish undergraduate and graduate students so that they may enrich the Jewish people and the world. Hillel student leaders, professionals and lay leaders are dedicated to creating a pluralistic, welcoming and inclusive environment for Jewish college students, where they are encouraged to grow intellectually, spiritually and socially. Hillel helps students find a balance in being distinctively Jewish and universally human by encouraging them to pursue tzedek (social justice), tikkun olam (repairing the world) and Jewish learning, and to support Israel and global Jewish peoplehood. Hillel is committed to excellence, innovation, accountability and results. For more information, please visit www.gohillel.org or call Sam Kauffman, Central Florida Hillel’s interim executive director, at 407.382.2658.
Israeli Prime Minister participates in TaglitBirthright Israel Bar Mitzvah kick-off celebration
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aglit-Birthright Israel, the organization responsible for sending approximately 400,000 young Jewish adults on a free 10-day trip to Israel to learn about their heritage, celebrated its Bar Mitzvah (13th year) with a recent event in Jerusalem attended by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Prime Minister Netanyahu helped greet an estimated 3,000 Taglit-Birthright Israel participants from the U.S.,
Canada, Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay, Germany, Russia and Israel, noting that, “You come from different countries and speak different languages, but you have one thing in common: Israel is your birthright. “I believe that Birthright has indeed changed the Jewish future,” said PM Netanyahu. “Our goal is that any young Jewish man or woman who wants to come to Israel will be able to come to Israel. Because anybody who comes here sees the true Israel. Israel is the place where Jewish history comes alive. Because Israel is not merely about the Jewish past, it’s about the Jewish future.” “ Ta g l i t - B i r t h right Israel has enhanced the direct connection of young Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu meets with adult Jews from U.S. participants of Taglit-Birthright Israel
around the world with Israel as their birthright,” said Taglit-Birthright Israel CEO Gidi Mark. “The impact of spending 10 days in Israel with one’s Israeli peers leads to a long-lasting commitment to Jewish identity, Jewish continuity and solidarity with Israel. Our vision for the future is for Birthright Israel to become a permanent milestone in becoming a Jewish adult.” With trips taking place in two sessions annually, winter (December - March) and spring/summer (May August), attendees visit Jewish historical sites, history museums, Holocaust remembrance sites, arts and culture events, and the Western Wall, among others. Themes covered include the creation of the modern State of Israel, values of the Jewish people, encounters with Israeli peers, and the environment. Taglit-Birthright Israel is a partnership between the Government of Israel, private philanthropists and Jewish communities around the world (The Jewish Federations of North America, the
Jewish Agency for Israel and Keren Hayesod). To register for spring/summer 2013 trips, please visit www.Birth rightIsrael.com.