So Youre Going to Be a Jewish Parent
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When Jewish couples approach parenthood, they face dual challenges: navigating traditional religious obligations while processing profound personal transitions. A collaborative Jewish Family Life Education program in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, successfully bridged this gap through an innovative partnership between Jewish Family Service and Temple Israel Conservative synagogue. The three-session model, co-led by a rabbi and social worker, integrated Jewish birth rituals with emotional support through experiential exercises, educational presentations, and group discussions. Participants explored naming traditions, brit milah ceremonies, and their evolving roles within the Jewish community while sharing concerns with peers in similar life stages. Beyond gaining practical knowledge of religious requirements, couples established meaningful connections with religious and social service professionals, creating pathways for continued Jewish institutional engagement. The program's collaborative structure benefited multiple stakeholders: the synagogue gained early family engagement opportunities while Jewish Family Service expanded its community outreach. These outcomes demonstrate how life-cycle transition programs can effectively combine traditional Jewish education with psychosocial support, strengthening both personal growth and Jewish identity development.

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Published 1992
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James Michaels