Shevat 26, 5774 · January 27, 2014 Do You Agree with Tiger Mom? A while ago, I was slated to teach a high-school class. I was warned that this particular group needed disciplining. When I shared this information with my youngest daughter, she demonstrated methods employed by her teacher (including “the look”) to keep her class under control. My daughter expressed genuine concern: “Mommy, I can’t believe that you even know how to be strict!” In an age when too many kids feel that their parents are “out of tune,” it was a sweet compliment. But truthfully, I don’t think I am a lenient parent; I’ve just been gifted with great kids, thank G‑d, who don’t need such hard-handed approaches. Recently a new book was published by Amy Chua about the qualities of certain groups of people in helping their children succeed. Topping her list was the Jewish people. In her original book, Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother, Chua claims that the demanding Eastern parenting model is better than the permissive Western one, which allows children to become self-indulgent. Chua has called her children “garbage,” “pathetic” and “lazy,” and in one extreme example forced her unwilling daughter to master a difficult piece on the piano by threatening to take away her dollhouse and hold back her lunches, dinners, and even bathroom breaks. Chua’s techniques sound extreme, especially to our Western ears, but her goal is to help her children achieve their best. As one commentator wrote, “Is it really more cruel than laissez-faire independence and babysitting-by-TV?” In The Self-Made Child, this week’s Torah portion teaches us how to help our children actualize their abilities. In Back to the Calm, we learn how to reflect before reacting. And in My Week Without My Phone, we get a sweet reminder about what’s important. While none of these articles advocate “Tiger Mom”’s severe methods, they provide helpful tools for motivating our children—and ourselves—to succeed. Because, though the Jews top Chua’s list of successful people, I don’t know many Jewish moms who employ her harsh methods. Wishing you a successful week! Chana Weisberg, Editor, TJW P.S.: Those high-school students behaved like angels. This Weeks Features Challah With a Touch of Elegance By Chana Scop LEARNING CENTER: Jewish Month of Adar This month, Adar l, is an added month in the Jewish leap year. This year is a shanah meuberet (lit., “a pregnant year”), more commonly known as a leap year, on the Jewish calendar. Talent We all wonder how we’ll leave our mark. By Sara Blau The Self-Made Child Parshat Terumah My daughter is always complaining that “all the other mothers” always do their children’s projects and homework for them . . . By Chana Weisberg Growing Older A fresh perspective on aging and retirement Can we get older and still be lovable? The Rebbe’s perspective on aging, and tips on how to age gracefully, positively and successfully. By Frumma Rosenberg-Gottlieb Watch (18:41) Deborah the Prophetess The famous song of Deborah Deborah used to sit under a palm tree and speak to the people who flocked to hear her words of wisdom and encouragement. By Nissan Mindel The Jewish Leap Year The additional month in a “pregnant year” The Jewish leap year contains 13 months, instead of the regular twelve i.e. an extra month is added at the end of the year (a second Adar). What is the meaning behind this added month? By Shimona Tzukernik Watch (15:17) MAGAZINE: Back to the Calm Because we live with family members, there are innumerable opportunities for experiencing frustration, hurt and upset. By Sarah Chana Radcliffe My Week Without a Cell Phone It is dawning on me that perhaps my methods of “connection” are not really that great. By Blumie Abend “Orange” Soup By Miriam Szokovski SMILE: Never Mind Sam is late for a meeting. He’s looking for a parking place, and can’t find one. In desperation, he turns towards heaven and says, “G‑d, if You find me a parking place, I promise that I’ll eat only kosher, be kind to my wife, and respect all the holidays.” Miraculously, a place opens up just in front of him. He turns his face up to heaven and says, “Never mind, I just found one.” Follow Us: More from Chabad.org JEWISH PRACTICE • Mitzvahs & Traditions • Lifecycle Events • Jewish Holidays • Jewish Calendar LEARNING & VALUES • Parshah (Weekly Torah) • Daily Study • Texts & Writings • Essentials • Torah & Science • Ethics & Morality • Kabbalah & Jewish Mysticism • Questions & Answers • Kabbalah Online • Jewish History • Audio & Video Classes • Jewish.TV • The Rebbe COMMUNITY & FAMILY • Parenting • Relationships • Health & Wellness • Jewish Life • News & Current Events • Kosher Recipes & Cooking • The Jewish Woman • Kids • Jewish News INSPIRATION & ENTERTAINMENT • Tales from the Past • Contemporary Voices • Daily Dose of Wisdom • Art, Music & Poetry • Video • Jewish.TV Be a Part of it Enjoyed this email? Please help us continue to share the study of Torah and Jewish traditions: Dedicate or sponsor an email to mark a special occasion Make a donation to chabad.org. 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Posted on: Wed, 29 Jan 2014 05:01:38 +0000
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