School+Based+Sexuality+Education+for+Orthodox+Jews+in+the+United+States


 * Attitudes Towards Sexuality **

Orthodox Jewish attitudes toward sexuality are approached from a Jewish legal perspective, which governs all behaviors (Weiss, 2009). What is written in the Torah and the Talmud (religious writings) is interpreted directly, and governs the way Orthodox Jews interact with each other, and learn about the topics of sexuality within their culture. Sex is not considered shameful, or thought of as a necessary evil, but is approached like other basic instincts such as hunger and thirst. It must be controlled, channeled, and satisfied at the proper place and in the proper way (Kosher Sex, 2010). Engaging in sexual intercourse is an act of huge significance, which requires commitment and responsibility and is thus only permissible within the context of marriage. Sex is also considered the woman’s right, and a man has a duty to have sexual intercourse with his wife regularly to ensure pleasure. On these same grounds, a woman is not allowed to withhold sex from her husband as punishment. Both acts are grounds for divorce within the Orthodox Jewish community (Kosher Sex, 2010).



=** Sexuality Education **= = = Because of the conservative nature of the Orthodox Jewish community, school-based sexuality education is not mandated, and is frequently not taught (Weiss, 2009). Most Orthodox Jewish children attend all-Orthodox Jewish schools, which are not governed by the state and can teach the content of their choosing at their own discretion (Zalcberg, 2009). In addition, most administrators of schools are presented with the dilemma on how to approach subjects such as intimate relationships, the reproductive cycle, and sexual desire. Teachers may or may not be frustrated by the limitations of the school or proposed curricula, or even use strategies such as denial and avoidance, which are ineffective methods and leave students without facts or answers (Zalcberg, 2009).


 * Working with the population **

The content covered in sexuality education varies from school to school, but largely approaches the work from a marriage perspective (Weiss, 2009). Orthodox Jewish law prohibits members of different sexes from touching each other prior to marriage, which has also led to gender segregation for sexuality education in the school setting. Although more topics are covered with females in the United States, the male’s curriculum is almost non-existent (Weiss, 2009). There are Orthodox Jewish public schools across the country taking a more contemporary and sex-positive approach to sexuality within schools, but the majority follow a conservative approach, which often focuses on topics related to being a good husband or wife, (Weiss, 2009) or having no sexuality education at all (Winston, 2006). //Life Values and Intimacy Education: Health Education for the Jewish School//, is a curriculum developed with this population in mind. It incorporates theory, Orthodox tradition, and also educates about topics within the realm of sexuality. Acknowledging that not all schools are willing to incorporate sexuality education is extremely important because of the nature of the culture. Many Orthodox Jews do not receive formal sexuality education until the week before their wedding, living a large portion of their lives in a sexually ignorant state (Winston, 2006). When working with the Orthodox Jewish public schools, it is important to uphold each individual school’s policy in regards to what can and cannot be talked about, and also becoming familiar with the laws surrounding sexuality within the Orthodox culture. For example, discussing the topic of masturbation might be frowned upon, because according to the Talmud, it is prohibited.

= References: =

Diament, S. (2007). An introduction to sexuality education for orthodox jewish female high school students.

// American Journal of Sexuality Education //, 2, 79-90.

Kosher Sex (2010). Kosher sex. Retrieved from http://www.jewfaq.org/sex.htm#Niddah.

Orthodox-Jews.com. (2015). http://www.orthodox-jews.com/#axzz3puiOPbr9.

Weiss, T. (2009). Lets talk about sex: teaching the taboo. //Presenttense Group//. 8.

Winston, H. (2006). So many rules, so little protection—sex and suppression among

ultra-orthodox jews. //Survivors for Justice.// http://www.survivorsforjustice.org/

option=com_content&view=article&id=201:so-many-rules-so-little-protection-

sex-a-suppression-among-ultra-orthodox-jews&catid=2:news&Itemid=57.

Zalcberg, S. (2009). Channels of information about menstruation and sexuality among hasidic adolescent girls. //NASHIM: A Journal of Jewish Women’s Studies and// //Gender Issues//, 17, 60-88.