About Us
Mission
The Jewish Birth Network aims to connect soon-to-be and new parents with the resources, skills and community they need to make good choices for their families in the realms of health care, parenting and Jewish practice. JBN will provide access to the essential tools for parents to take ownership of their families' choices in these realms, where authority is easily given over to an expert, building emerging families' confidence and empowerment, and allowing them to experience the powerful milestones in their lives in the most personally meaningful way possible. Emerging families will be able to access these tools through classes offered in their home communities on topics related to pregnancy, birth and welcoming babies, through our website with articles, links, resource listings, and an online community forum made up of both public and private bulletin boards, and through a network of Jewish birth professionals, health care providers, alternative practitioners, clergy and mohalim/ot who aim to meet the needs of thoughtful Jewish parents, and whose practices are enriched by their connection and exchange of ideas. We value and aim to address the concerns of a broad range of Jewish families of diverse educational background, denominational affiliation, sexual orientation, and gender identity, including families where one or both parents are Jewish and single parents. Through these aims, values, and programs, the Jewish Birth Network hopes to engender vibrant, empowered, and supportive Jewish and birthing communities in the Boston area and around the world.
Shira Z Shazeer
Shira Shazeer is a Rabbinical Student at Hebrew College anticipating ordination in June 2010. She is also studying towards certification as a childbirth educator through Childbirth International. Before coming to Hebrew College, she studied Talmud and Jewish Law in the Scholars Circle at Drisha Institute for Jewish Education in New York. She has guided families in planning and facilitated numerous Jewish life-cycle rituals, and has a passion for creating ceremonies that reflect the individuals involved. She sees pregnancy and birth as safe, holy, and powerful moments which, when experienced with presence and intention transform individuals and couples, launching them into the joys, challenges and responsibilities of parenthood. Shira lives in Natick, MA with her husband and two sons, Zalmen (2.5) and Velvel (7 months).
Under Construction
2010 The Jewish Birth Network info@jewishbirthnetwork.com