April 30, 1999/14 Iyar 5759, Vol. 51, No.31
OH BABY!Class helps Jewish parents prepare for childbirthMICHELLE ACKERMAN
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 Michelle Kort practices Lamaze breathing with help from her husband, Bryan. Photo by Michelle Ackerman |
The laughter that followed was genuine, and the couples visibly relaxed in their chairs, as Tabaknek began to describe the Jewish rituals associated with bringing a child into the world.
Welcome to Jewish Baby University, offered by the Bureau of Jewish Education of Greater Phoenix.
The course, which meets once a week for six weeks and is scheduled to be offered four times a year, provides a unique combination of birthing classes and Jewish instruction. The first half of each 2-1/2 hour session is devoted to learning Lamaze techniques, how to recognize the various signs of labor, what to do while in labor, how to prepare for delivery (everything from "Don't forget socks because the delivery room can be cold" to "Bring the Binaca"), breast feeding, care of a newborn, stages of newborn development, and how to select a pediatrician.
The second half of the session is spent discussing with speakers, topics including how to bring a child into a Jewish home and how to raise a child Jewishly, both ritually and spiritually.
Linda Feldman, the family education coordinator at the Bureau of Jewish Education and coordinator of Jewish Baby University, says the course is modeled on one she heard about in North Miami Beach, Fla.
She says she created it here because she felt "there was nothing really available for expectant parents (in Phoenix) to guide them in bringing a new baby into a Jewish home.
"Also, the more you know, the more comfortable you are with what's ahead ... physically, emotionally and spiritually."
The program is in its second series of meetings. Twelve couples participated in the first, held last fall at Temple Solel in Paradise Valley and "delivering" 36 graduates: 24 parents, seven boys and five girls.
Andrea Cohen attended the course with her husband, Greg. On Nov. 11, she delivered a baby boy, whom they named Maxwell. "Jewish Baby University was by far the best thing that we could have done to prepare for Maxwell's birth," says Andrea.
"The circle of friends that we have from that class are friendships we really cherish. We're looking forward to raising our children together."
In fact, Feldman says that one of her objectives in developing the program was to provide an opportunity for participating couples, going through the same events at the same time, to form a "Jewish network."
The current series at Temple Beth Israel, 10460 N. 56th St. in Scottsdale, is in its third week. While couples are encouraged to start at the beginning of the program, they are welcome to enroll part-way through the sessions.
The next series starts on May 12 at Temple Chai, 4645 E. Marilyn Road, Phoenix.
The Lamaze lessons, taught by Sharon Fritzemeyer, a certified Lamaze instructor, are progressive, while each week's Jewish component is independent. These range from discussion of Jewish rituals, including the bris (ritual circumcision), to religious beliefs.
David and Erica Schwartz, who are attending the current session, say they find the sessions to be "very informative." Classmates David and Jessica Morhoffer agree.
"We figure that now that we're going to have a baby, we should know exactly what to teach (the child), and now is the time to fill in gaps in our own education" says David.
"It's important to us to live a Jewish life - even more so now that we are having a baby," adds Jessica.
The program currently is being offered at no cost to participants, except for a $15 materials fee. Funding comes in part by a grant from the Commission on Jewish Continuity and Community of the Jewish Federation of Greater Phoenix.
For more information, call Linda Feldman at the Bureau of Jewish Education, (602) 234-1645.