Why Is This Sex Book Different from All Other Sex Books?: A Parent’s Guide to Embracing Sexuality Through Jewish Wisdom

By Meryl Slipakoff Cohen, M.Ed., LCSW

Why is This Sex Book Different from All Other Sex Books? is different because Judaism is different. King Solomon’s Song of Songs is a perfect example of our appreciation for sensuality and the beauty that our bodies can bring. The Hebrew word “yada” means “sex” but also means “to know.” In Judaism, we do not separate the body from the soul, and we encourage the total knowing that comes with sexual relationships. What a religion!

The heritage has beautiful answers to help parents integrate sexual learning and Jewish wisdom to build pride in a tradition that values healthy sexuality. The author takes Judaism’s sex-positive values and applies them to our modern world. The book is written for parents of all ages of children, from infants to high school, to tackle the age-old questions children ask, like: Where do I come from? Why is my body changing? Am I normal? When is it OK to have sex? How do I know when I’m in love? I think I may be gay; what should I do?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lulu Publishing Services
• Release date: Sep 29, 2015
• ISBN: 9781483437934

Book preview

Why Is This Sex Book Different From All Other Sex Books?

A Parent’s Guide to Embracing Sexuality

Through Jewish Wisdom

_______________________________

Meryl Slipakoff Cohen, M.Ed., LCSW

Copyright © 2015 Meryl Slipakoff Cohen, M.Ed., LCSW

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, stored, or transmitted by any means—whether auditory, graphic, mechanical, or electronic—without written permission of both publisher and author, except in the case of brief excerpts used in critical articles and reviews. Unauthorized reproduction of any part of this work is illegal and is punishable by law.

ISBN: 978-1-4834-3792-7 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4834-3793-4 (e)

Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Thinkstock are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Thinkstock.

Lulu Publishing Services rev. date: 09/22/2015

Table of Contents

Introduction

1.   Jewish Values and the Six Points

2.   Early Childhood

3.   Early Elementary

4.   Puberty

5.   High School

6.   V’Shinantam L’Vanecha

About the Author

Introduction

It is not a secret that Jewish institutions are struggling to instill Jewish identity and Jewish pride in our youth. One great way to deepen Jewish youths’ understanding of their heritage would be to tap into our traditions of sexual learning. There are some amazing lessons right at our fingertips—and they provide a wonderful buffer to our sexually permissive and confusing secular culture. Judaism is one of the most positive religions on sexuality, and it gives language that is both responsible and reassuring, both moral and sane. Sex sells everything else, so why not use it to sell Jewish identity?

For the last 30 years, I have been teaching and counseling professionals, educators, parents, and young people about sexuality. As a secular sexuality trainer, educator, and therapist, I’ve always tried to be open, honest and balanced in discussing sex, love, and relationships. I’ve consistently denounced the unrealistic just say no programs taught in the majority of American schools the last few decades. Since, as I like to quote, more vows of abstinence break than condoms, I’ve instead focused on providing young people medically accurate information and the tools they need to make healthy choices.

But even the better sex-ed programs leave the values part of the discussion to the family—as they should. Our society is an amalgam of different cultures and moral values, and it’s the parents who are responsible for passing on their own beliefs to their children. Unfortunately, many parents—including Jewish ones—get embarrassed and conflicted when having discussions about sexuality and