<HTML>I found one resource on mekorot and an orthodox approach to the problem of
substance abuse at the web site of the orthodox caucus at
[
www.orthodoxcaucus.com].
Last year Hebrew Academy High School had an active parent committee which
initiated a program of drug awareness and sensitivity together with Jewish
Family Services (A Federation organization). The highlight of the program
was a panel discussion with a former addict and others (I apologize I no
longer remember who else was part of the panel). This was followed by
small group discussions by grade with a social worker facilitator. The
discussion was held after a teenager was found dead from an overdose after
a rave party (she was a Jewish young women attending a private high
school). The success of the program depended on the skills of the
facilitator of the group. There was not sufficient connection made to
Halachic sources and reasons regarding "oo'shmartem et nafshoteichem" and
not sufficient involvement of the limudei kodesh staff. It was dealt with
as an issue of adolescence.=20
I would like to know how schools deal with issues of Judaism and
sexuality. The schools which are "modern orthodox" face the greatest
challenges. On the one hand, we are integrated into the secular society
and our students watch TV, listen to popular music, go to movies, etc. The
message presented by the popular media is antithetical to many of the
values we teach, yet we do not offer any viable models to counteract what
they see and hear. Do any schools have a specific curriculum dealing with
sexuality? Who teaches it? Is taharat hamishpacha part of the curriculum?
What is the difference between these curriculums as taught to boys or
girls? Are students taught to be sensitive to issues of sexual harassment?
Are they taught to be careful regarding sexual abuse?
Barbara Freedman
Hebrew Academy, Montreal</HTML>
