Jewish Parenting

Baby Break
Wednesdays, 9:00 – 11:00 a.m

Join other moms and/or dads and their little ones (ages 4 months – 2 years) for a morning of activities, music, snacks and play.
 

Dr. Goonan, a licensed Psychologist, will provide an overview of the principles that guide the proactive parent to raise a more independent, responsible and confident child. He will share theory and research supporting this parenting approach, anecdotes of its efficacy and some quick ideas on how to make simple, small changes that will have a long lasting effort on your child. A four-session weekly course, Peak Performance Parenting follows.
 
Peak Performance Parenting,
a 4-session mini-series
Parents can enroll in this four-session course that will give a more in-depth understanding of the principles from the evening presentation. The course helps parents understand how, when and where to provide discipline versus letting matters take their own course. After taking the course, parents looking for more specific solutions are invited to participate in ongoing courses that address individualized situations.
 

So You're Having A Jewish Baby
Tuesday, October 11, 7 p.m. or
Thursday, March 25, 7:00 p.m.
Facilitators: Dr. Max Mintz and
Rabbi Roy A. Walter

Share the joys and challenges of becoming a Jewish parent. Learn about Jewish traditions and rituals and your future as a Jewish family. Choose from one of these stand alone sessions
 

Where will you send your child to kindergarten? Learn about the many school options available for kindergarten: Jewish Day Schools as well as the many HISD programs. You will also receive information on how to apply to these schools and their admission timelines.
 

This program covers a range of Kindergarten topics that will help parents make important decisions regarding kindergarten readiness, private vs. public schooling, individual needs and making the right match.

Shaping Your Child’s Sexual Character
Thursday, January 31, 6:30 p.m.

Mary Flo Ridley provides a practical strategy to approach sexual education for children of all ages in a way that will leave parents feeling empowered. She equips parents to celebrate their child’s normal curiosity and respond confidently and factually with age appropriate information. With the constant influx of sexual messages from our culture, she emphasizes the importance of parents becoming the loving authority on the subject. Children will turn to you, the parents, with questions and absorb your family's values.
 

Families who are new to our school are invited to attend a special Shabbat dinner and service. It’s an opportunity to meet our staff and clergy and talk about our school program. You’ll be matched with a seasoned family as a buddy for the year.
 

Open House
Sunday, October 28th, 2007

Come and see what all the chatter is about! Tour the school, see the rooms and experiences the classes. Meet the teachers between shifts from 10:45am-11:15am
 

For Parents of Children entering Religious School
for the first time
Consecration Family Education
Sunday, September 23, 2007- 8:30-10:45 am
Leaders: Rabbi Walter, Marna Meyer and Michelle Renfrow

Parents will participate with Consecrants in making Torah covers, learning about the Torah and its meaning.
 

Grandparents and /or special friends are invited to spend the morning with 1st graders, experiencing religious school with class time, art, Hebrew, computers and storytelling.
 

For parents of second graders
Miriam's Market
Sunday, March 9, 2008,
11:15-1:30 pm

Parents enjoy the actions of their 2nd graders acting out the story of Purim. They will also have time to shop in Miriam's Market and learn about the values of helping the needy and giving tzedakah.
 

Take part in the destruction and rededication of the Temple. Discuss with your youngsters the value of gift giving and other family values. Enjoy this mini Maccabi.
 

For parents of fourth graders
Mock Wedding
Sunday, February 10, 2008, 8:30 am

Parents are invited as guests to a mock wedding in which students participate. This exciting occasion includes the ceremony, the reception and dancing.
 

Parents join students as they put on a fashion show describing their Jewish heroes. Halfway through this presentation, there is a live auction of the values that your children find desirable followed by a discussion of these values as they pertain to Jewish life and their education. A Jewish Values puzzle will put all our values in good perspective.
 

Parents and students discuss sexuality awareness from a Jewish standpoint as well as we know that adolescent years are difficult for the whole family. Communication is an important focus of this Kallah, it is the key to getting through to our young teenagers.
 

Parents and students address issues of drugs and alcohol abuse, sexuality, dependence and independence between preteens and parents. Together they examine the unique perspective of the Jewish tradition, opening lines of communication between parents and students.
 

An opportunity to explore the meaning of Shalom Bayit - peace in the home. Situations are examined through role-playing and priorities are discussed.
 

Parents and students discuss the values behind dating and relationships from both Jewish and personal perspectives. Humor and questionnaires are used to help parents and students identify their own priorities and arrive at decisions about their goals.
 

For parents of tenth graders
What Is It About Confirmation?
Wednesday, January 23, 2008, 7:30-9:00pm
Facilitators: Rabbi Walter, and the 10th grade Teachers

Explore the historical and modern reasons for Confirmation. In small groups, interactive discussions and activities are used to promote a better understanding of Confirmation as a special life cycle and community event.
 

Helfman Mitzvah Day
Sunday, March 2, 2008

All students participate in the commandment of Mitzvot. Students in Pre-K through 2nd grade will participate in hands-on activities about Israel. Those in grades 3-7 will visit a variety of agencies and perform mitzvot.
 

Join Helfman students, students from all Religious Schools and Jewish organizations, as we march for Israel's 60th birthday.
 

Families with a student coming into Helfman for the first time are invited to come and hang out in a class and see all that the school has to offer. Afterwards sit down and meet the teachers and staff who make this program what it is.