Family Focus

SPONSORED BY BEST SOURCE CREDIT UNION

Cyber Bullying

Adat Shalom's
SYNergy Shabbat

Seminar empowers parents to give kids online protection.

I

n the wake of an increasing number
of cyber-bullying nightmares, terror-
instilling online interactions and
tragic suicides, the David B. Hermelin
ORT Resource Center will present a
public forum on cyber bullying.
With PNC Bank as presenting spon-
sor, "Technically Speaking 2010 —
Cyber Safety: Protecting Your Family,
Yourself and Your Integrity Online" will
take place Thursday, Nov, 18, from 7-9
p.m. at the Jewish Community Center in
West Bloomfield.
The free event is intended for an adult
audience.
"Monitoring your children's computer
usage and text-messaging isn't enough:'
said Frank Hoffman, a member of
the Hermelin ORT Business Advisory
Committee.
"Parents must stay informed and
aware and be empowered — along with
schools, social workers and law enforce-
ment — to know what to do when
cyber bullying occurs:' he noted.
"We cannot stand by and watch our
youths be tormented —sometimes
tragically — by the awful, lasting
imprint of online bullying," Hoffman
added.
"Technically Speaking" will feature a
panel including:
• Matthew A. Roth, deputy chief-Gen-
eral Crimes Unit, U.S. Attorney's Office,
Eastern District of Michigan, Detroit;
• Jamii Hitchcock, principal, Norup
International School, Berkley School
District;
• Gary Weisserman, head of school,
Oakland Early College and instructor,
technology and social media, University
of Michigan;
• Shaindle Braunstein-Cohen,
Hermelin ORT director and Internet
and computer expert;
• Frank Hoffman, attorney, Jaffe, Raitt,
Heuer & Weiss, Southfield;

Nominate An Activist
Do you know someone who has
made a real difference in our com-
munity? The Jewish Community
Relations Council of Metropolitan
Detroit invites you to nominate them
for the 2011 Activist Award.
The award is given annually to an
individual who is passionate about

e-mail account, the mother learned
that her daughter was meeting a man
at the mall she had met online. The
mother called the police and the man
1:3.PQr1110,^P C`PKITrO
was arrested while he was putting the
daughter in his car."
"Most families don't have a good
sense of how the Internet works, in
terms of access, permanence and iden-
tity," said panelist Gary Weisserman.
"Helping families get a sense of what's
inside the 'black box' of the Internet can
go a long way toward understanding
– Frank Hoffman how to protect our kids.
"We're protecting them not only from
creepy stalkers, which is a real but rela-
tively uncommon threat, statistically
• Lynne Schreiber, chief creative offi-
speaking, but understanding how to
cer and owner of Your People LLC PR
protect identity, how to manage digital
and Marketing, Southfield.
permanence and how to be aware of the
This forum on cyber safety will
subtle manipulations that are a reality
empower community members about
online."
the far-reaching potential consequences
Weisserman added, "It's scary that
when children are online, what the law
our kids know more about the Internet
says and how to truly understand our
than we do. We're tempted to resort
"digital imprint."
"Most parents do not truly appreciate to fear-based tactics in teaching our
children how to navigate the Internet,
the wide variety of dangers presented
rather than helping them use it safely,
by the Internet," said Matthew Roth of
intelligently, thoughtfully.
the U.S. Attorney's Office.
"If we're going to help our kids make
"Parents need to protect their
good choices socially — which means
kids from predators and from them-
face to face and online — we'd better
selves. Although parents have heard
darned well understand it at least as
stories in the media, they think what
they hear on the news could not happen well as they do."
He observed that our communica-
to their family.
tions mechanisms "now are so much
"The dangers of the Internet can
more pervasive, so much more embed-
affect any family, anywhere, at any time.
ded, and so much more permanent."
We will provide tools to keep families
Founded in 2003 and named for the
safe. Any parents not involved with what
late U.S. Ambassador David Hermelin
their children are doing online are at
of Bingham Farms, the Hermelin ORT
risk."
Resource Center offers technological
"Years ago, the Oakland County
classes for unemployed and under-
Sheriff's Department did an Internet
employed Michigan residents as well as
safety presentation and one parent
career training. The center also provides
started using the ideas she learned:'
computer classes for community resi-
Roth said.
"One day, while checking her child's
dents. I _

DAVID B. HERMEUN

"We cannot stand by
and watch our youths
be tormented."

the Detroit Jewish community and
works to secure the Jewish future by
championing Israel's cause, reach-
ing out to our diverse neighbors or
advocating on behalf of Jewish inter-
ests with our government partners.
Nominees do not need to have
a past or current affiliation with
the Jewish Community Relations

Council. (JCRC past presidents, cur-
rent officers and congregational
clergy are not eligible to receive the
award.)
To nominate a candidate, visit
detroitjcrc.org or contact the JCRC at
(248) 642-5393. Nominations must
be received by Friday, Nov. 19.

A

dat Shalom Synagogue in
Farmington Hills presents
author Rabbi Shmuley Boteach
as featured speaker at the SYNergy
Shabbat weekend Nov. 12-13.
Friday evening
programming will
begin at 5 p.m. with
a Kabbalat Shabbat
service, followed by a
Shabbat buffet dinner
and a presentation
by Rabbi Shmuley on
Kosher Sex. There will
be a Shabbat Shaboom
program for young children and their par-
ents at 5:45. Childcare will start at 7 and
extend until the end of the adult program.
At 7:30, children will enjoy a presentation
by ventriloquist Vikki Gasko.
Traditional services will begin at 9 a.m.
on Shabbat morning. At 10, Rabbi Aaron
Bergman will hold a study session titled
Angels and Demons in Jewish Mysticism.
Rabbi Rachel Shere will conduct an 11
a.m. study session on "Brotherly Love" in
Bereshit. Beginning at 10:15, there will be
dropoff youth services. Following will be
an enhanced Kiddush.
In a post-Kiddush program, Rabbi
Shmuley will offer ideas on How to Create
Shalom in the Home.
All are welcome at no charge, except
Shabbat dinner for which there is a
charge. RSVP: (248) 851-5100. E

T'chiyah Cites
Gurwitzes

C

ongregation T'chiyah in Oak
Park will honor Harold and Mary
Ellen Gurewitz with the syna-
gogue's first Rabbi Mordecai M. Kaplan
Bonei Kehillah
Award at 11:30 a.m.
Sunday, Nov. 7, at the
Jewish Community
Center in Oak Park.
Both Harold and
Mary have served as
president of T'chiyah
and on its board.
Mary Ellen and
Former T'chiyah
Harold Gurewitz
visiting Rabbi
Steven Gutow will
keynote the brunch.
Money raised will benefit educational
programs and social justice initiatives at
T'chiyah. RSVP: Roz Schindler, (248) 541-
7218 or www.tchiyah.org . PI

JN

November 4 • 2010

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