Informed Consent for Participation in Jewish Teen Friendship Study

Title of Research Study: The Jewish Teen Friendship Study

Investigator: Arielle Levites, Ph.D., CASJE, GSEHD, and Yael Findler, PhD

Key Information:

Your child is being asked to take part in a research study about Jewish teenagers’ friendships and relationships, and about their experiences of being treated by peers and others as Jewish friends and students, including experiences of antisemitism. This page will give you key information to help you decide whether or not you want your child to participate in this study. More detailed information can be found on the next pages. Ask the research team questions during the consent process, and use the contact information on this form to ask questions later.

If you would like your child to opt out of the study, your child will not receive an invitation to participate.

To opt out, please notify Yael Findler at yael [dot] findleremail [dot] gwu [dot] edu by November 10th, 2025.

WHAT IS THE PURPOSE, PROCEDURES, AND DURATION OF THIS STUDY?

The purpose of the study is to understand Jewish teens’ friendships.

The study draws on an online survey with Jewish teens.

By doing this study, we hope to learn about your child’s experiences and expectations from their friendships. Your child’s participation in this research will last about fifteen minutes.

WHAT ARE THE REASONS YOUR CHILD MIGHT CHOOSE TO VOLUNTEER FOR THIS STUDY?

Your child may want to participate to contribute to knowledge on teens’ social lives and to reflect on their own friendships. For a complete Description of benefits, please refer to the Detailed Consent.

WHAT ARE THE REASONS YOUR CHILD MIGHT NOT CHOOSE TO VOLUNTEER FOR THIS STUDY?

Your child may feel uncomfortable or sad during the survey. For a complete Description of risks, please refer to the Detailed Consent.

DOES YOUR CHILD HAVE TO TAKE PART IN THIS STUDY?

Your child does not have to take part in this research. It is your child’s choice whether or not your child takes part. You/your child can agree to take part and later change your/their mind. If you/your child choose not to take part or choose to stop taking part at any time, there will be no penalty to you/your child or loss of benefits to which you/your child are otherwise entitled.

WHAT IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS OR CONCERNS?

The person in charge of this study is Arielle Levites. If you have questions, suggestions, or concerns regarding this study or you want to withdraw from the study her contact information is: alevitesemail [dot] gwu [dot] edu

This research is being overseen by an Institutional Review Board (“IRB”). You may talk to them at 202-994-2715 or via email at ohrirbgwu [dot] edu if:

You have questions, concerns, or complaints that are not being answered by the research team or if you wish to talk to someone independent of the research team.
You have questions about your rights as a research subject.
Detailed Consent Form:

Why is my child being invited to take part in a research study?

We invite your child to take part in a research study because your child is a teenager (age 13-18) and identifies as Jewish.

Who can I talk to if I have questions?

If you have questions, concerns, or complaints, or think the research has hurt you/your child, talk to the research team at yael [dot] findlergwu [dot] edu or alevitesemail [dot] gwu [dot] edu.

This research is being overseen by an Institutional Review Board (“IRB”). You may talk to them at 202-994-2715 or via email at ohrirbgwu [dot] edu if:

You have questions, concerns, or complaints that are not being answered by the research team or if you wish to talk to someone independent of the research team.
You have questions about your/your child's rights as a research subject.

Why is this research being done?

The benefits to science and humankind that might result from this study are a better understanding of Jewish teens’ expectations and needs and ways in which educators in different settings can best help Jewish teens thrive in the social aspect of their lives.

How long will my child be in the study?

We expect that your child will be in this research study for around fifteen minutes.

How many people will take part in this research study?

We expect about 1,000 people will take part in the entire study.

What happens if I don’t object to my child being in this research?

If you do not object to your child’s participation, your child will receive an email from BBYO with an invitation to participate in an online survey, along with a link to access the survey. The survey is anonymous and will not collect direct identifiable information such as names, phone numbers, or dates of birth. The dataset will be analyzed by Yael Findler.

This study may be used to inform future research and de-identified data from this study may be used by future researchers interested in studying contemporary American Jewish life.

What happens if I agree to my child being in research, but later change my mind?

You may refuse to your child’s participation without penalty or loss of benefits to which you/your child would otherwise be entitled.

However, once your child completes the survey, there is no way to connect their responses to them personally, and thus there will be no way of removing their answers from the dataset.

Is there any way being in this study could be bad for my child?

This study is considered a “minimal risk” study - which means the risk is similar to our everyday lives. Risks of answering questions about friendships may include feelings like discomfort or sadness. Risks of answering questions about antisemitism may include feelings of stress or worry.

The risks and discomforts associated with participation in this study are not expected to be greater than those ordinarily encountered in daily life or during the performance or routine physical or psychological examinations or tests.

What happens if I believe my child is injured because they took part in this study?

You/your child should promptly notify the research team in the event of any injury as a result of being in the study.

If you believe that you/your child has been injured from taking part in this study, you should seek medical treatment from GWU Hospital and/or the GWU MFA or through your/your child’s physician or treatment center of choice. Care for such injuries will be billed in the ordinary manner to you or your insurance company.

You will not receive any financial payments from GWU, GWU Hospital and/or the GWU MFA for any injuries or illnesses. You do not waive any liability rights for personal injury by signing this form.

Will being in this study help my child in any way?

Your child will not receive any benefits from participating in this research.

Can my child be removed from the research without my permission?

The person in charge of the research study or the sponsor can remove your child from the research study without your approval. Possible reasons for removal include not being outside the age group of 13-18 or deciding to not identify as Jewish.

What happens to my child’s information collected for the research?

To the extent allowed by law, we limit your child’s personal information to people who have to review it. We cannot promise complete secrecy. The IRB and other representatives of this organization may inspect and copy your child’s information. The privilege of confidentiality does not extend to information about sexual or physical abuse of a child. If any member of the research team has or is given such information, he or she is required to report it to the appropriate authority or agency, such as child protective services, a law enforcement agency, or your State’s toll-free child abuse reporting hotline. The obligation to report includes past and current alleged or reasonably suspected abuse as well as past or current known abuse. Examples of such abuse include physically harming your child or having inappropriate sexual contact with your child.

Are there any costs for participating in this research?

No, there are no costs for participating in this research.

Will my child be paid for participation in this research?

No, there is no direct compensation for participating in the survey.

Your and your child’s physical and emotional health, safety, and wellness are important to us.

For immediate help, call or text 988. The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (formerly known as the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline) provides free and confidential emotional support to people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, across the United States. https://988lifeline.org/ , or text the Crisis Text Line by texting “HOME” to 741-741.
MyWellbeing can help you match with a therapist: https://mywellbeing.com/
The Blue Dove Foundation maintains a list of mental health resources for the Jewish community: https://thebluedovefoundation.org/jewish-resources/
You can also use BBYO’s online reporting form to report a health or wellness concern.