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A class for prospective parents offers a blend

of medical education and Jewish spirituality.

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Shelli Liebman Dorfman
Staff Writer

hen Staci and Fabio
Giske of Farmington
Hills learned last win-
ter they were expecting a baby,
one of the first people Staci
called was Rabbi Lauren Berkun.
"I was only at the end of my
first trimester but I heard she
would be teaching a class on
childbirth for Jewish families
and I wanted to see if it would be F'rom right, occupational therapist Karen Goss teaches infant
relevant for someone at my point massage, while Rabbi Berkun and the class join in.
in pregnancy," Giske said.
When Rabbi Berkun said yes,
delivery and infant care in a
During each class, Rabbi
the Giskes became members of
warm, Jewish environment!'
Berkun also will lead a presenta-
the first session of Lamazel Tov, a
Cathy Herman, a labor and
tion on a Jewish theme: "Jewish
series of unique, Jewish-based
delivery nurse for 24 years at
Reflections on Pregnancy:'
childbirth education classes. A
Providence Hospital who has
"Creating a Jewish Home with
new six-week session will begin
taught hospital and childbirth
Blessings,""The Shema (a daily
Nov. 7.
classes for 18 years, serves as the
prayer of identification) and
The formation of Lamazel Tov
class's prenatal instructor.
Bedtime Rituals,""Making
was spurred by Rabbi Berkun's
"During the first four sessions, Shabbat at Home "Jewish Ethics
own personal experience.
she covers all the birthing and
of Parenting" and "Bris, Baby
"When I was pregnant, I felt
infant care material from the
Namings and Birthing Rituals."
hopeful anticipation about the
typical hospital course Rabbi
childbirth classes I registered for Berkun said.
at a local hospital," she said. "I
During the fifth session, Karen
New Rituals
was hoping to meet other young
Goss, a registered occupational
Before her son Afi was born five
couples and become part of a
therapist from the Abilities
weeks ago, Staci Giske listened to
community of new parents." But
Center in Walled Lake, teaches
tapes of blessings and songs
she was disappointed by the lack infant massage. West Bloomfield-
Rabbi Berkun created for her
of community and spirituality.
based obstetrician-gynecologist
class. "I teased the rabbi, telling
By the time she was pregnant
and prenatal yoga instructor Dr.
her I played them so often the
with her second child, Rabbi
Jodi Michaelson presents yoga
baby would recognize her voice
Berkun, Shaarey Zedek's director
postures for pregnancy and
before ours:' Staci said.
of lifelong learning, had created
labor. Dr. Craig Singer, a pediatri-
Aviva and Moses Fridman of
Lamazel Tov. Her hope, she said,
cian and mohel, (a circumciser)
Birmingham, inaugural class
was to "provide couples with the
leads the final session.
members, are incorporating
opportunity to prepare for labor,

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some of those prayers into their
12-week-old daughter Elianna's
bedtime routine.
"Even on the day she was born
we did something we learned in
class," Aviva said. "We said the
Shehechiyanu (blessing of grati-
tude). When it came time for a
baby-naming ceremony, they
planned it based on knowledge
acquired in the course.
The classes are actually the
culmination of a long-term plan
for Rabbi Berkun.
"When I applied to rabbinical
school 10 years ago, the applica-
tion included an essay describing
a 'dream program' I would create
in the Jewish community:' she
said. "I wrote about creating a
Jewish birthing center. It has
always been my dream to help
create a Jewish context for the
magical and spiritual time of
pregnancy and beginning a fam-
ily. I believe this stage of life is
ripe with potential for Jewish
connection and meaning. Once I
experienced pregnancy and
childbirth myself, this instinct
was confirmed."
In addition to organizing
Lamazel Tov, Rabbi Berkun also
was a participant.
"It was wonderful for me to
facilitate the class as a pregnant
rabbi because I was able to learn
right along with all the other stu-
dents," she said. "I found the
labor and delivery information
even more useful during this sec-

ond pregnancy. I felt much better
prepared for this second delivery
after taking this class!'
Participants of Lamazel Tov
came from throughout the com-
munity.
"It was a wonderful way for
Jewish couples to meet one
another in the same stage of life
Rabbi Berkun said. "Many ongo-
ing friendships developed and
some of the students have
already formed play groups with
their new babies!'
Aviva said her family is plan-
ning to attend a class reunion
later this month. "I really feel a
special connection with those
who took the class with us," she
said. "My husband and I both got
so much out of it. It would be
great for anyone Jewish who is
having a child." El

Lamazel Tov's next session
will be offered from 6:30-9
p.m. on Mondays from Nov. 7-
Dec. 12 at the Eugene and
Marcia Applebaum Center for
Jewish Living at Congregation
Shaarey Zedek B'nai Israel
Center, 4200 Walnut Lake, West
Bloomfield. Cost is $100 for
members of Shaarey Zedek;
$120 for non-members.
For information or to regis-
ter, contact Rabbi Lauren
Berkun at (248) 357-5544 or
lberkun@shaareyzedek.org .
A spring session will run
from March 1-April 5.

October 6 . 2005