Shalom. This blog grew out of several recent programs that we did for local JCCs here in South New Jersey on the subject of the “New” Jewish Grandparent. Longevity, health and, for many, some solid economic security has developed a more active and involved generation of grandparents. No doubt many of you who are reading this fit this profile. We are much more involved with our grandchildren than other generations and are so in ways from assisting in their care to adventure trips and financial support.
One of the issues that has come up in these discussions is the challenge of dealing with the grandchild who is in the process of transitioning from one gender to another, or who may present to us as gender fluid. The family dynamic around this can be challenging. What new borders and boundaries need to be established. How do we continue to support and love this child? What about if we have issues with this? How do we/can we support our adult children who are parenting this child?
I wanted to make you aware that there is a new program being launched this month specifically for grandparents. It is a product of the Union for Reform Judaism and the Jewish Grandparents Network in partnership with Keshet. It is called Trans-Generations and it is designed to be “a safe and inclusive online space where Jewish and Jewish-Adjacent grandparents can connect about their trans, non binary and gender-expansive family members”. This program is designed to meet monthly starting Thursday August 17..1-2.30pm EDT. The group will be facilitated by experts in the field. If you would like to register, email Stephanie Fink: sfink@urj.org
This may be a wonderful opportunity to learn from experts and from peers in a safe and confidential environment.
Thank you
Rabbi Richard F Address
Rabbi Richard F. Address, D.Min, is the Founder and Director of www.jewishsacredaging.com. Rabbi Address served for over three decades on staff of the Union for Reform Judaism; first as a Regional Director and then, beginning in 1997, as Founder and Director of the URJ’s Department of Jewish Family Concerns and served as a specialist and consultant for the North American Reform Movement in the areas of family related programming. Rabbi Address was ordained from Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion in 1972 and began his rabbinic career in Los Angeles congregations. He also served as a part time rabbi for Beth Hillel in Carmel, NJ while regional director and, after his URJ tenure, served as senior rabbi of Congregation M’kor Shalom in Cherry Hill, NJ from 2011-2014.
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