10 minute read
Metro Detroit native parlays babysitting
Business
CONTRIBUTED
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Rachel Charlupski
Taking Care of the Kiddos
Metro Detroit native parlays babysitting experience into a million-dollar business.
STACY GITTLEMAN CONTRIBUTING WRITER
The founder of an international babysitting business began her love of watching children during her Junior Congregation days at Congregation Shaarey Zedek.
“I’m a part of a big intergenerational (CSZ) family,” said Rachel Charlupski, founder of The Babysitting Company. “I remember when my big cousins would watch me and my friends at Junior Congregation. When I was older, I did the same for other little children. Then I started babysitting for kids in the neighborhood.”
That passion has grown. For the last 15 years, The Babysitting Company has provided babysitting services for thousands of clients in a handful of cities in the United States and Canada. Prior to the pandemic, according to media reports, the company pulled in seven-figure revenues.
Though Charlupski would not disclose how COVID has affected her business’s bottom line, she and her three other full-time employees have noticed changes to the kinds of babysitting services clients request. There are fewer last-minute calls for social plans, but households with two working parents may call for last-minute work Zooms, and there are still urgent requests where families need a sitter for children at home while having a baby. The company began its virtual program, which is also seeing an uptick in requests, and expanded its existing tutoring services, as many of their contracted workers are certified teachers.
Charlupski was studying journalism and Jewish studies at Arizona State University in Phoenix and imagined a career as a teacher back at Hillel Community Day School, where she received her Jewish education.
She began working for a string of hotels near campus that needed sitter services for out-of-town guests. Visitors traveling with small children needed babysitting for nights on the town or attending events. She landed friends babysitting jobs at the hotel as well.
“I never imagined I’d have a business in babysitting, and only when I was in college did I discover there was such a need for the placement of qualified and reliable babysitting services,” said Charlupski, who now splits her time between Los Angeles and Detroit.
Now, The Babysitting Company has a network of more than 1,200 screened and certified sitters in Detroit, Los Angeles, New York, Miami, Chicago, Boston, Philadelphia and Toronto. In preCOVID times, it partnered with hotel chains and resorts to create kid-clubs and professional athletic clubs to watch the children of athletes and staff during games.
While many babysitters come to families by way of word of mouth, Charlupski said hiring a sitter through her company means clients are getting someone who has had a background check, is insured and comes with multiple verified references. This is especially reassuring for travelers who need a babysitter when traveling away from home, she said.
As parents now grapple with balancing work obligations with the possibility that their children will not be able to return to in-person schooling, Charlupski said her clients’ needs are changing. Her company is screening qualified teachers who can teach children in small “pods” in private homes or tutor virtually for older kids who need an extra boost of support.
Additionally, if a client does request in-person babysitting, Charlupski said her company is following strict CDC guidelines so her sitters and the families they work for are as safe as possible.
Though the needs for babysitting are shifting, Charlupski remains optimistic during a tough economy.
“After all, I started this business during a recession,” she said. “I’m kind of used to doing things in difficult times. Childcare is such a sensitive occupation, and we have always been excessive and had high standards about taking health precautions. This is now extended to ensuring our sitter, the children and all in the household are feeling well. We want to provide the safest experience for everyone.”
For more information on services and rates, visit www.thebabysittingcompany.com.
Moments
AUG. 17, 2020
Erica and Yaron Jacobovits of Boca Raton, Fla., are thrilled to share the arrival of their baby girl, Lillian Rosa (Tziporah Chaya). Lilian Rosa was welcomed home by her excited big brother Abraham. Delighted grandparents are Eva and Sheldon Hamburger of Raleigh, N.C., Eli and Sherry Jacobovits of Coral Springs, Fla., Stuart and Terry Jankelovitz of West Bloomfield; beaming great-grandmothers are Shaynee Jankelovitz of Lincolnwood, Ill., and Hilda Hamburger of West Bloomfield. Lillian Rosa’s Hebrew name is in loving memory of her paternal great-grandparents Tziporah Jacobovits and Chaya Lane; her English name is in loving memory of her maternal great-great-grandmother Lillian Schaffer and great-grandmother Rosa Lichter.
Ava Morgan
Ashmann, daughter of Lori Kaplan and Taal Ashmann and sister of Lila, will become a bat mitzvah on Saturday, Sept. 5, 2020, at Adat Shalom Synagogue in Farmington Hills. She will be joined in the celebration by her proud grandparents Lynn Feuerman, Alan and Sharon Kaplan, and Dina and Sandford Ashmann.
Ava is a student at West Hills Middle School in Bloomfield Hills. For her meaningful mitzvah project, she made dog treats and sold them to raise funds for Almost Home Animal Rescue.
Jackson Joshua
Eisman will become a bar mitzvah at Temple Israel in West Bloomfield on Friday, Sept. 4, 2020. He is the loving son of Lisa and Heath Eisman and brother of Zachary and Maxwell. Joining in his celebration will be his proud grandparents Janis and Harvey Eisman, Sally and Ron Lamer, Pamela and Anton Sheridan, and great-grandparents Caroline and Chester Machiela.
Jackson is a student at Hillside Middle School in Northville. As his most meaningful mitzvah project, he participated in Fleece and Thankyou, helping to make blankets for children in the hospital. He also made a donation to this special organization.
Griffin Victor Fleischer
(Yitzchak), son of Tiffany and Michael Fleischer of Birmingham, will lead the congregation in prayer as he becomes a bar mitzvah at Temple Shir Shalom in West Bloomfield on Friday Sept. 4, 2020. He will be joined in celebration by his siblings Grant and Gianna as well as proud grandparents George and Linda Fleischer of Bloomfield Hills, and Chuck and Cheryl Vescoso of White Lake.
Griffin is a student at the Cranbrook boys’ middle school in Bloomfield Hills. His mitzvah projects included assistant teaching at Sunday school at Shir Shalom and volunteering at Yad Ezra and Focus Detroit.
Sydney C.
Hertzberg will chant from the Torah as she becomes a bat mitzvah at Temple Israel in West Bloomfield on Saturday, Sept. 5, 2020. She will be joined in celebration by her proud parents, Julie and Robert Hertzberg. Sydney is the loving grandchild of Marilyn and the late Stuart Hertzberg, Tony Malshuk and Virginia Salazar, and Kevin Peck. She is the great-grandchild of Janet and Alfredo Salazar, and Dorothy Salazar.
She is a student at Cranbrook Girls Middle School in Bloomfield Hills. As part of her mitzvah project, Sydney volunteered her time to rescue, foster and tame feral kittens with the Ferndale Cat Shelter, working at the Catfe Lounge in Ferndale and fundraising on behalf of the organization.
Harrison David
Ruskin, son of Danielle and Aaron Ruskin, led the community in prayer as he became a bar mitzvah on Saturday, Aug. 29, 2020. He was joined in celebration by his sisters Sasha and Sydney and his proud great-grandmother Cappy Binder, his grandparents William and Joyce Ruskin, and Joanne Binder. Harrison is also the grandson of the late Bruce Binder. He was also joined by extended family and many friends.
Harrison is a student at Novi Middle School. As part of the many community service projects he has participated in, his special mitzvah project continues to be providing a boost in spirits for a friend and classmate with special needs who remains quarantined due to COVID-19. Harrison was scheduled to have his bar mitzvah at Adat Shalom Synagogue in Farmington Hills and continued to work with Rabbi Bergman and Michael Wolf. Due to COVID-19, the service was held offsite and led by dear friend Rabbi Jason Miller.
Ethan Maddox
Schwartz, son of Stacey and Mark Schwartz, will lead the congregation in prayer on the occasion of his bar mitzvah at Temple Israel in West Bloomfield on Saturday, Sept. 5, 2020. He will be joined in celebration by his sister Rebekah and his proud grandparents Marlene and Dr. Elliotte Moss, and Carole Schwartz. Ethan is also the loving grandchild of the late Hon. Michael D. Schwartz.
Ethan is a student at West Hills Middle School in Bloomfield Hills. For his most meaningful mitzvah project, he volunteered at JARC in West Bloomfield, including helping at their annual Chanukah party.
HOW TO SUBMIT ANNOUNCEMENTS
Mazel Tov! announcements are welcomed for members of the Jewish community. Anniversaries, engagements and weddings with a photo (preferably color) can appear at a cost of $18 each. Births are $10. There is no charge for bar/bat mitzvahs or for special birthdays starting at the 90th.
For information, contact Editorial Assistant Sy Manello at smanello@ renmedia.us or (248) 351-5147 for information or for a mailed or emailed copy of guidelines.
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torah portion
Make Time For ‘Put-Ups’
One of my favorite tales who was determined to use his centers around Rabbi words to oppress and annihiChaim of Brisk who late the emerging and evolving was traveling on a train, sharing Israelite nation. a compartment with a group of Words have power and can stylishly dressed people. be used for evil as well The rabbi was dressed as good. They can harm modestly. but they also can heal.
Throughout the trip This is the moment on the passengers made the Jewish calendar, disparaging comments as we approach Rosh to one another about the Rabbi Joseph Hashanah, the Jewish rabbi, never attempting Krakoff New Year 5781, when to talk to him. They only Parshat we are urged to consider talked about him, rudely Ki Tavo: seriously every single whispering back and Deuteronomy word that comes out forth. 26:1-29:8; of our mouths. During
Once the train arrived, Isaiah these Days of Awe, we the travelers noticed a 60:1-22. ask forgiveness from crowd of people gathered those who we have hurt around the rabbi to excitwith our words through edly welcome him. Only then, gossip, slander and other misthey understood how important truths we have spread, both he was. Feeling embarrassed, accidentally and on purpose. the travelers begged the rabbi With the onset of the High for forgiveness. “We didn’t realHolidays, mixed with the overize who you are,” they declared. whelming stress and anxiety The rabbi responded, “Please, caused by the COVID-19 panyou do not need to ask forgivedemic, it is the perfect time to ness of me. Instead, I suggest get into the habit of consciously you ask forgiveness of the many seeing the absolute goodness in good people you thought I was.” one another.
Judaism is a religion that puts Building people up with tremendous value on words. loving words is so much better After all, this is how God crethan tearing them down. In this ates the world in the very beginspirit, may we each create for ning. For God said: “Let there ourselves a space where there be light” and so it was. is no room for put-downs but In this week’s Torah portion, only for put-ups. A put-up is we learn about a sacred cerean offering of kindness, commony focused on words. One passion and encouragement by of the earliest celebrations to telling a family member, friend, be observed after our ancestors neighbor or stranger what we arrived in the Land of Israel like most about them. involved the presentation of Imagine how great the world first fruits to the Almighty. The would be if we each took a Israelites were instructed to moment to offer one sincere recite a short, yet powerful, forput-up each day. So, what are mulaic summary of Jewish hiswe waiting for? Just do it! tory. The words hearken back to the Book of Genesis, recalling Rabbi Joseph H. Krakoff is the senior Jacob’s father-in-law Laban, director at the Jewish Hospice and Chaplaincy Network.
