Learning cyberbullying tools; using the Torah to gain perspective on decision-making

These past few weeks here at the Hebrew Academy of the Five Towns and Rockaway (HAFTR) have been some of the busiest yet.

With the thought of our long awaited and well-deserved winter break in mind, students have labored tirelessly to complete end-of-semester assignments and prepare for midterm exams.

Throughout the weeks leading up to midterms, there were a series of fulfilling and intellectually engaging programs for students and parents. On Jan. 3, HAFTR High School hosted the second portion of the Digital Citizenship Project initiative for parents.

They had the opportunity to hear from the director and innovative creator of the project, Dr. Eli Shapiro, a clinical social worker who holds a doctorate from the Azrieli Graduate School of Education, where he has conducted research on the impact of cyberbullying in Jewish day schools.

Dr. Shapiro gave parents a framework to understand the influence technology has had on adolescents, including the psychological, behavioral and social ramifications, along with a thorough grasp of the challenges that technology creates for students.

As high school students continuously grow more independent, it is critical for parents to recognize the potentially harmful consequences of today’s technology on their children’s lives.

He discussed practical methods for parents to communicate with their children about these issues. He stressed the commitment that is necessary for families to effectuate a positive change in the way that technology is used. His optimistic perspective left parents with a feeling of encouragement, as well as the tools to work together with their kids to move in a positive direction.

HAFTR High also recently held a Yom Iyun, when each of the Judaic classes conducted a lesson that used biblical sources and focused on a common theme.

This Yom Iyun was on “Decisions that Empower.” High school students are consistently compelled to make crucial decisions on a daily basis, so it is vital that they have guidelines on which to base these decisions.

Talmud, Chumash, and Navi classes stressed the importance of recognizing the consequences of one’s decisions, the concept that these decisions should be in line with a person’s values, and also provided a step-by-step process for maneuvering complex circumstances in which decisions pose exceedingly significant ramifications.

Students also had the opportunity to engage in interactive programs with outside speakers and social work faculty. In the morning portion of the Yom Iyun, freshmen gathered to participate in an activity on decision-making led by Chani Bernstein, the assistant director of Student Life.

Sophomores and juniors gathered in the auditorium where Rabbi Sruli Rosenfeld spoke. Rabbi Shalom Axelrod, associate rabbi of the Young Israel of Woodmere, spoke to the seniors. Rosenfeld emphasized the idea that it’s important to make active decisions. For each decision you make has the ability to influence our destinies and reshape our futures. He provided examples from the Torah, in which our forefathers made critical decisions that had, in fact, impacted the future of the Jewish nation.

He also stressed the methods by which we can cope with poor decisions if they have already occurred, and also addressed the common misconception that poor decisions are irreversible. Though these poor decisions can have negative consequences, it is possible to mitigate these consequences, although it may be a challenge.

These discussions proved extremely applicable to our lives, considering that decision-making is a critical skill that should be developed at during the adolescent years.