Mark S. Bertuch Make-A-Difference Program

Whoever causes the loss of a single soul it is as is they have caused the loss of an entire world, and whoever saves a single soul it is as if they haved saved a universe...Talmud-Sanhedrin 

Established by Rhoda and Henri Bertuch in loving memory of their son, Mark S. Bertuch, The Mark S. Bertuch "Make A Difference Program" fulfills a very important role at CBI. The mission of this outreach program is to help our pre-teens, teens and families make appropriate, positive and healthy Jewish choices by addressing critical issues such as:

• Self-Esteem
• Body Image
• Peer Pressure
• Sexuality
• Teen Dating Abuse
• Addiction & Substance Abuse

The program uses a global Judaic curriculum touching upon all the facets of the Congregation B'nai Israel community, and provides a foundation to educate, prepare and prevent youth and family members from being vulnerable to problems that impact so much of today's society.

Upcoming Programs:

Scott Fried
Parent Workshop:
“Hearing Our Children”
Tuesday October 25, 7:00 - 8:30 pm, VIP
Scott is returning to CBI to speak about the secrets most teens would like to keep from their parents. In this very moving and important conversation, Scott will offer specific techniques and ideas on how to communicate with a teenager during this difficult time of adolescent angst, as well as their experiences as the newest members of the sexual community.
 
Keshet Organization: Dr. Andrea Jacobs
Students and Parents Program:
“You Can Be the Change You Want to See”
Tuesday, November 15, 7:00 - 8:30 pm
Cohen/Friedkin Sanctuary
What would you do if you felt like no one at your school really knew you?  What if you felt like you had to hide some part of yourself everyday just to get along?  We will see how one Jewish teen took a stand, demanding equality and safety for gay and lesbian students and transformed her whole community.  We will view some clips from Keshet’s groundbreaking film “Hineini”.  With Dr. Jacobs help, we will explore some of the best ways to empower teens to be strong allies and advocates on issues they care about, andstrategies about how to organize our own community around issues of diversity and making change.
 
Rick Recht
Students and Parents Program
Tuesday, November 15, 7:00 - 8:30 pm
Cohen/Friedkin Sanctuary
“Tear Down The Walls”, Rick’s latest album is his first step in a project aimed at changing the attitudes of teens toward discrimination and bias.  “I’m an educator,” says Recht, “music is my medium.”  Rick uses the power of popular rock music to excite teens about their role in the work of breaking down bias and prejudice in their communities. Teens are natural allies in the fight for social justice. Rick Recht has become an icon for Jewish youth in the United States.

If you have any questions, suggestions, or you might be able to provide outstanding programs, please contact Marilyn Asofsky, Coordinator, at marilyn@asofsky.com.