Resilience of the Soul: Developing Emotional and Spiritual Resilience in Adolescents and Their Families

Adolescence, one of the most change-filled periods in life, is both turbulent and exciting. New opportunities, emotions, and spiritual challenges seem to be around every corner. To our teenagers, it is important for us to convey a sense that each young person is treasured, to strengthen existing ways of helping them to cope, and to offer them new healthy ways to manage complicated feelings and choices. With a focus on building emotional and spiritual resilience, the URJ Department of Jewish Family Concerns offers The Resilience of the Soul, a work grounded in Jewish text and tradition that draws upon the wisdom of clergy, Jewish educators, pediatricians, mental health professionals, youth workers, lay leaders, and young people, themselves. This book provides essential information for Jewish communities responding to the realities of depression, eating disorder, binge drinking, substance abuse, and self-inflicted violence among teenagers. The guide includes questionnaires; needs surveys; sample programs; discussion/training guides for staff, teens, and parents; text study; best practices; related poetry, prayers, and meditations; suggestions; and referral and resource guides.