Product Description

A complete guide to the customs and rituals for welcoming a new child to the world and into the Jewish community, and for commemorating the joyous event in family life whatever your family constellation. The only book of its kind. Expanded, completely updated and revised.
Includes:
Ceremonies to copy for handouts.
Special section for interfaith families helps make the celebrations inclusive and joyous for all.
New ceremonies for girls, as well as for boys.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #89666 in Books
• Published on: 2005-02-15
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 277 pages

From Publishers Weekly
While most of the conversation preceding the birth of a baby these days is focused on such physical things as diets and breathing exercises, the almost universal reaction by, and concern of, parents themselves is a sense of wonderment and awe. In this sometimes very parochial book, the author addresses the human need to plan for the spiritual aspects of childbirth. Diamant offers precise guidelines for celebrating initial and fundamental rites of passage. She devotes much space to Jewish names, both biblical and cultural in origin, and explains the religious traditions and/or significance involved in each. Of even greater import to Diamant, however, is the ceremony of the circumcision. Contrary to a belief widely held in recent times, she stresses, circumcision has no basis in health practices. It is, rather, a sanctification of the ancient convenant God made with Abraham. As a reflection of our ceremonies for girls, adoption and interfaith families.
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal
Diamant's pioneering The Jewish Baby Book (Summit Bks., 1988. o.p.) was a highly practical guide for liberal Jewish parents-to-be and new parents. It concerned choosing traditional and modern Jewish names; ceremonies and celebrations, including birth announcements and the Brit Milah (convenant of circumcision); the issues of infertility and genetic testing; adoption; and recommendations for celebrating the baby's first year in a meaningfully Jewish way. Diamant has now revised and expanded that excellent book to include handouts to copy for ceremonies, a special section for interfaith families, and new ceremonies for girls. Still the only book in its field, this is highly recommended for all libraries serving Jewish patrons.
- Marcia Welsh, Guilford Free Lib., Ct.
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Booklist, May 1, 1994
This lovely book....recommended for all public libraries.

Customer Reviews

Especially useful for first-time Jewish/Interfaith Moms!
My husband and I are expecting our first child, a girl, and wanted to learn about Jewish traditions surrounding her birth. This book is great - I wish the name section was a bit longer, but otherwise it is well-written and contains a lot of beautiful info.

Excellent reference book
This book is an excellent reference for expectant parents looking to celebrate Jewish traditions. I highly recommend it!

Very informative
This book manages to pretty much cover all the bases about rituals and such when you are expecting. I realied heavily on it for my first child and with the twins, I was somewhat disappointed to see it didn't mention a thing about multiple births (especially since they are so common nowadays 1-in 100). But other than that - I was highly impressed with the content!