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: #115417 in Books
• Published on: 2005-02-15
• Original language: English
• 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.

From Scientific American
Addresses the human need to plan for the spiritual aspects of childbirth.

Customer Reviews

Superb Jewish education spiced with insight about values.
This is a very good overview of Jewish values and rituals related to bringing a boy or girl into the world. Well reseached and very non judgemental so it is good for Reform, Conservative or Orthodox Jews, and non Jews who want to understand rituals without being embarrassed.

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!

a wealth of information to help you plan for your newborn
Each couple anticipating the arrival of a child is tuned into the Jewish saying that, "With each child, the world begins anew." Planning for the arrival of a newborn is filled with hope, excitement, nervousness, and profound love. Beyond these wonderful feelings are all the reality issues of how to choose a name and how to welcome this new being into the family and community. For Jewish families expecting a new arrival, Anita Diamant's "The New Jewish Baby Book" is an invaluable resource.

As someone who creates personalized birth announcements for couples who want to announce the arrival of their newborn in a special way, I am very aware of how helpful "The New Jewish Baby Book" is. I see well-used copies, with clips and markers pointing to elements that speak to the couple as they plan for their baby. Anita Diamant's in-depth descriptions and presentations of a wide range of issues help couples focus on what is important and meaningful as they prrepare for their awesome new adventure.

Particularly helpful are a myriad ideas for ritual welcoming ceremonies for both boys and girls. The Brit Millah (Covenant of Circumcision) ceremony for boys has been in use since Biblical times. There must not be a parent through the ages who hasn't agonized over this ritual. "The New Jewish Baby Book" provides a sensitive assessment of this ancient ceremony, bringing contemporary questions and issues to the discussion of circumcision in an attempt to help couples come to terms with this practice. For those anticipating having a boy, reading the section on the Brit Millah will help families understand the ceremony and know what to expect, including a checklist of items that need to be on hand. Until relatively recently, there was no official ceremony to welcome a girl into the Jewish community. "The New Jewish Baby Book" was one of the first resources published to provide ideas, prayers, blessings, and readings for a Brit Bat (Covenant for a Daughter) ceremony. For this, Anita Diamant is to be commended.

In addition to enhancing traditional ceremonies with contemporary prayers, "The New Jewish Baby Book" suggests other ways of beautifying the arrival of a new born, whether with hand-crafted ritual objects or with a unique and personalized birth announcement with a Jewish look. The book also addresses the reality of an increased intermarriage rate in modern times, raising common concerns when some family members are unfamiliar with Jewish ritual and practice. Also addressed are adoption issues, ways to include extended family members in the welcoming of a new born, and genetic diseases for which Jewish couples should be tested and aware of. All of these issues are discussed with Anita's usual thoroughness, sensitivity and compassion.