aries2756: “He doesn’t realize that he is still conforming to someone else’s way and not really being his own person. He is just conforming to another set of rules, not the ones he is used to.”
Everything you say is brilliant. Just this statement, based on experience, I have to disagree with. For two reasons: First, he’s partially setting the tone so it’s not that he’s conforming to them, but in a way they are conforming to him so for once he can feel in control. Second, these kids need love and acceptance and if a kid with a yarmulka knows how to ‘chill’ and give a good laugh, they won’t look at him much different than they do now. They sniff out bad intentions in a second, but when someone comes to them openly, not intending to judge, (even if neither intending to join) they will accept them as a brother.