The practical, inspiring guide for all
Jewish people expecting a baby.
Expanded, updated, and
revised.
A complete resource to the traditions and
rituals for welcoming a new child to the world and into the
Jewish community, and for commemorating this joyous event in
family life—whatever your family constellation.
• Provides ceremonies you can copy
for handouts so that guests are an even greater part of the
experience.
• Special section for interfaith
families helps make the celebrations inclusive, comfortable,
and joyous for all.
• Ceremonies for girls, as well as
for boys.
"Drawn from the wealth of mythic, historic,
religious, culinary, and literary traditions that surround the
arrival of a new Jewish baby, and informed by contemporary
insight and practice, The New
Jewish Baby Book describes the many
ways that new parents can celebrate the arrival of a child, the
newest member of your extended families, and a unique and
precious chapter in the on-going saga of the Jewish people."
—from the Introduction
“I’ve never been religious,
but during my pregnancy I had a lot of questions about Jewish
traditions ... this book helped me make all the
decisions.”
—Robin
Wolaner, founder, Parenting magazine
“Weaves together history,
traditions, laws and practices, rituals and prayers to form a
beautiful tapestry.... A wonderful resource.”
—Rabbi
Joy Levitt (Reconstructionist),
associate executive director of programming at the Manhattan
JCC
“A book that all Jewish
parents—no matter how religious—will find
fascinating as well as useful. It is a perfect shower or new
baby gift.”
—Pamela
Abrams, executive editor, Parents magazine
“Skillfully teaches how traditional
Jewish ritual enhances life’s most sacred moments and
stimulates thinking about developing new practices that
acknowledge the changing nature of the Jewish family and
demonstrate sensitivity to issues of gender and
adoption.”
—Rabbi
William H. Lebeau (Conservative),
vice chancellor, The Jewish Theological Seminary of America
“Gives all of us—experts and
novices alike—the ability and confidence to begin our
Jewish child rearing on a profound and sacred plane.”
—Cantor
Benjie Ellen Shiller (Reform),
professor of cantorial arts, HUC–JIR School of
Sacred Music
