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Auspice/Sponsorship: Moving Traditions
Contact
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Year Established: 2002
Category:
What are the goals of the program?
Build self-concept and Jewish identity for adolescent girls
What is the structure of the program?
Experiential education; single gender; variety of modalities; positive youth development. The girls meet together 2 - 2.5 hours a month. The facilitator of the group must attend Moving Traditions' training. The program works best in homes and institutional lounges and is targeted at 6th-12th grade girls.
What was the genesis of the program and what need was it meant to serve?
Rosh Hodesh: It’s a Girl Thing! is a multi-year, monthly celebration of the ancient New Moon holiday for pre-teen and teenage girls (grades 6-12) that builds self-esteem, leadership skills, and Jewish identity.
Launched nationally in 2002, more than 11,000 girls have participated in Rosh Hodesh groups operated by more than 300 Jewish institutions of all affiliations, across North America, including groups that are continuing to meet in the 2012-2013 program year.
What are the key elements and underlying principles of this model/initiative?
Mentor led; conveys importance of Jewish peer community; applies a gender lens and Jewish values and ritual to the daily challenges of adolescent girls
What (other) factors made this model/initiative successful?
Moving Traditions provides research-based curricular resources, training, and ongoing coaching to facilitators and their supervisors
