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quently included. "You can sing
like at any simcha," says Rabbi
Gershon.
Following the service, like most
events in Jewish life, comes food.
Families celebrate in many ways.
Some bring in deli trays; some do
sit-down lunches. Bonnie Fish-
man, owner of Bonnie's Patisserie
in Southfield, has watched the
event grow in the community.
"Sixteen years ago when I started
in business, there was no call for
it. Now, it's a pretty common oc-
casion," says Ms. Fishman. Most
often, families celebrate with
lunches and brunches, though she

Jewish tradition and modem nuances influence that lifelong selection.

Maple/Drake building • West Bloomfield
(810) 661-1000

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Sunday simcha habats in their
home, followed by a tea for Judy
and a brunch for Rachel (Amy was
named in Atlanta, where they
were living at the time).
Grandparents had a role in the
service, and Beth and Steve wrote
about whom their daughters were
named for.
Rabbi Gershon points out that
there are no set rules for simcha
habats, though often the moth-
ers light Shabbat candles, and bir-
chat gomel can be recited, the
blessing for overcoming danger.
Parts of the Torah are often in-
corporated, and songs are fre-

Picking A Name

JPM building • Oak Park
(810) 967-4030

LU

about it growing up and know
that Judaism was a part of their
lives. I wanted my children
blessed, and I wanted to celebrate
with my family and friends."
Beth and Steve Margolin of Or-
chard Lake celebrated the births
of Amy, 9, Judy, 6, and Rachel, 3,
in the synagogue. "I like simchas
in the synagogue. I really enjoyed
having a special part of the service
and having everyone around,"
says Ms. Margolin. "I love cele-
brations. And Steve and I like
everyone around us to share our
simchas." The Margolins capped
off their Shabbat namings with

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LISA BRODY SPECIAL TO THE JEWISH NEWS

When you hear the names Sophie, Han-
nah, Sarah, Isaac, Benjamin and Samuel,
do you immediately think of an older-
generation card group? Today, those
names could just as easily belong to a
group of toddlers in a play group.
The old saying of what goes around
comes around holds particularly true
for names. VVhile parents 20, 30 and
40 years ago would have cringed be-
fore giving their children biblical or tra-
ditional names, the pendulum has
swung back, and the Susies, Lindas and
Marcys are choosing either names of
yesteryear, or trendy names often heard
on soap operas or W.
The Fisher family name game: Abigail, Gabe, Marcy, Benjamin,
Ilene and Howard Emmer of Bloom-
Seth and Rob.
field Hills gave their son Max, 7 1/2, a
Hebrew names, and names that were the Sephardi for living ones — provid-
rich history when they named him. He
not too common because we have a ing a Hebrew name gives continuity to
was named for Ilene's late father, Max
common last name, and there were al- the Jewish faith, a link between the past
Joseph Kolovsky, as well as his paternal
ready 14 Michael Fishers in the phone and the future. The custom of giving
great-grandfather, his maternal great-
Hebrew names arose centuries ago as
grandfather and his paternal great-great- book," laughs Mrs. Fisher.
Rabbi Paul Yedwab of Temple Israel our ancestors traveled to different lands,
grandfather, who was also named Max
in West Bloomfield sees the trends in and assimilating, gave their children
Emmer.
names firsthand as parents ask for as- names from those cultures. Jews be-
"It came around full circle. Five gen-
sistance in giving their children a He- gan to give their children a Hebrew
erations later, we have another Max
name as well so the child could be
brew name.
Emmer," says Mrs. Emmer.
"I'm often called by parents who are brought up to the Torah.
Marcy and Rob Fisher of Bloomfield
One dilemma Rabbi Yedwab often
naming their children biblical or He-
Hills also chose warm, traditional names
encounters
is when the namesake name
brew names in their American names,
for their four children. Seth Michael,
who then ask me what the child's He- is Yiddish, rather than Hebrew. "We of-
Benjamin Isaac, Gabriel Evan and Abi-
ten have to encourage parents to add
gail Eve were all named after relatives, brew name should be."
Providing a Hebrew name is impor- or use a corresponding Hebrew name,"
and their Hebrew names match their
tant. As Jews name for relatives — the says Rabbi Yedwab. "If you're naming
American names. "We wanted sold
Ashkenazi for deceased relatives and your daughter after Peshe, perhaps you
names that they could grow up with,