Page 43 - Jewish News_September-2020

FOCUS ON YOUTH September 2020 43

For parents: How to prepare your teenagers

to be Jewish on campus

late 2021.
Gantz wants a two-year budget as By Jessi Sheslow, Director of Community Relations, and Andrea Eiffert, Teen and Family Program Coordinator
agreed upon for stability and to avoid s parents, we always worry know what the BDS (Boycott, Divest- offer some tools to support students to We, as parents, can become edu-
another budget fight in 2021. This is about our kids’ transition from ment and Sanction) movement is? Will be upstanders, not bystanders, when cated about the disturbing and apa-
also politically important to Gantz. A Athe comfort of their family college be the first time they hear about they experience or observe anti-Semi- thetic behavior on college campuses
two-year budget would limit the op-home to the distress of adapting to a or experience these things? tism on campus. surrounding issues related to Israel and
portunity for Netanyahu to dissolve the new college campus. Will their room- The Heller Community Rela- These days it’s not uncommon for Jews, and help support our teenagers
Knesset, ensuring Gantz would serve mate be nice? Will they eat well? Will tions Committee (CRC) and Shapiro college campuses to harbor what is when they are far away.
as Prime Minister. they wake up in time for morning Teen Engagement Program (STEP) veiled as “free speech” but is actually Please register by going to jfedsrq
Some may suggest this fight over classes? These are typical concerns to have teamed up to bring parents up to hate speech. When hate speech about .org/events. For more information
the budget is like Nero fiddling while which every parent can relate. How- speed on what students may encounter Israel is spewed in the quad or at a frat about STEP, contact Andrea Eiffert at
Rome burned, possibly the meaning ever, as Jewish parents we have ad- when they go off to college. Join us on party, it can escalate into full-on anti- aeiffert@jfedsrq.org. To know more
of Nakdimon’s criticism of consider-ditional worries: Will my child face Wednesday, September 9 at 7:00 p.m. Semitism. Equally alarming are the about the Heller CRC, contact Jessi
ing personal benefit over the need to be anti-Semitism and is he/she prepared for an important conversation with people who observe this behavior, but Sheslow at jsheslow@jfedsrq.org.
united for the good of the nation. to handle it? Will they encounter an Stephanie Hausner, the Interim Director walk on by with indifference because
The pandemic and economic fall-“apartheid wall” or a “die in?” Do they of the Israel Action Network who will “it’s not about them.”
out is dayenu. But the government and
deal with political turmoil, Netan-How Jewish college students are coping
the Israeli people must simultaneously

yahu’s trial on bribery and breach of “ n March 16, 2020, my mother JELF’s five states, they can attend the JELF’s help to do so.” seen that the pandemic is affecting both
trust, possible annexation of portions was furloughed, and her ex- school of their choice. The survey rep- Additionally, isolation, unemploy- undergraduates and graduates equally.
of the West Bank with unknown conse- Opected return date continues resents students from more than 240 ment, furloughs and salary cuts are One law student wrote, “I am constant-
quences, and the ongoing threats from to be delayed. We are doing our best to universities across the country. causing students to cope with the pres- ly thinking of ways to make money.
Hezbollah on the north and Hamas in make ends meet but it has been really The survey offers a window into sure this puts on their family. Changes I try to sell things in order to eat and
the south. It’s a balagan (mess). tough.” the pressing economic symptoms of in income naturally affect whether a continue keeping a roof over my head.
Stu, how do I conclude this email? A recent study performed by JELF, the COVID-19 pandemic on an al- family can afford insurance, transporta- All I have are my loans.”
May the dangers give renewed strength Jewish Educational Loan Fund, asked ready financially stretched segment tion and even groceries. As one student While JELF is doing its best trying
to Israel and its leaders to overcome all Jewish college students about their of the Jewish community. Over 25% put it, “We lost our health insurance to help all its applicants, the organiza-
obstacles as they have done for the last stresses due to the COVID-19 pandem- of students reported cancelled sum- due to my mother’s layoff, so not only tion has been unexpectedly stretched
75 years. ic. The answers were frank, personal mer jobs and internships or a lack of is our physical health in danger but the thin due to the pandemic as well. This
Harold and showed the new issues facing stu- student jobs for the Fall 2020 semes- mental toll this has taken has been sig- season, JELF has had a 60% spike in
Harold Halpern is a retired attorney dents today. ter. Further, 79% of students reported nificant as well.” applicants as compared to 2019. Fund-
living in Lakewood Ranch Florida. He The almost 400 students surveyed parents who had lost their job, been Many students showed more con- ed through a combination of student
is a member of the Board of Directors were applying to JELF’s financial aid. furloughed, had a loss of business or cern for their family than themselves. repayments and donor support, both
of the American Association of Jewish JELF provides interest-free, last-dollar a salary cut. “My dad lost his job and “Financially, it is very stressful for my have been negatively impacted by the
Lawyers and Jurists, and of the board loans to Jewish undergraduate, gradu- has been trying to find new work. I am parents,” wrote a Florida student. “The pandemic. “As schools determine how
of the West Coast Florida Chapter of ate and vocational students from FL, currently living at home and I am not stress level has increased with the de- to resume academically, students are
the American Jewish Committee GA, NC, SC and VA (excluding metro sure if or when I will be able to return crease in my father’s income.” Another pressed to figure out how to pay for it
DC). Students must be in school full- to school – or how we will continue to wrote, “In regard to my college plans, all,” says JELF CEO Jenna Leopold
time at a U.S. accredited university and manage,” wrote one young undergrad. I would prefer to go online because I Shulman. “We are working hard to en-
remain in good academic standing. All Another wrote, “I have been told that don’t want to risk getting sick and put- sure that they have what they need to
eligible students must be working to- the scholarship I was in line to receive ting my family’s health in jeopardy. My get by.”
ward a certificate or diploma, plan to could be denied due to COVID-19. I mother is struggling to find work so For more information about JELF
accept federal student aid and have a am uncertain about many things right we have been getting by with personal or the survey, contact Marketing Di-
designated cosigner. Though a student now, but I’m certain about two things: savings, which will soon run out.” rector David Cohen at 770.396.3080 or
must have legal residency in one of I need to go to college, and I need Through JELF’s survey, we have email info@JELF.org.

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