Below are some resources related to Jewish pregnancy, birth and babies. The list below is not exhaustive, but it will hopefully get you started in learning about how to bring Jewish life to your baby.
Bris/Brit Milah
Brit Mila – Brit Mila Program of Reform Judaism seeks to make the age old practice of brit mila, available to Jewish families as a meaningful and relevant Jewish life-cycle ritual.
Rituals
Ritual Well – Ritualwell is a unique resource where you can find, create and share Jewish ritual of all kinds.
General Parenting (& Grandparenting)
Center for Children & Youth — Provides a range of drop in programs, parenting classes, and support, including support for newborn issues such as breast feeding and sleeping. Maintains multiple facilities in the Bay Area. A program of Jewish Family and Children’s Services.
My Jewish Learning – My Jewish Learning is the leading transdenominational website of Jewish information and education.
Kveller – Kveller is a Jewish twist on parenting.
Jewish Grandparents Network — The Jewish Grandparents Network engages, educates and celebrates grandparents so that they can fulfill their essential roles in elevating families as the cornerstone of Jewish life.
Multifaith
18 Doors – Supports Jewish and multifaith families exploring Jewish life.
Reform Judaism – Reform Judaism affirms the central tenets of Judaism — God, Torah, and Israel — while acknowledging the diversity of Reform Jewish beliefs and practices.
Jews of Color
Be’chol Lashon – Be’chol Lashon grows and strengthens the Jewish people through ethnic, cultural, and racial inclusiveness. We advocate for the diversity that has characterized the Jewish people throughout history, and through contemporary forces including intermarriage, conversion and adoption. We foster an expanding Jewish community that embraces its differences.
Project Shamash – A racial equity and leadership initiative from Bend the Arc: A Jewish Partnership for Justice designed to spark a future where our communal institutions fully reflect the diversity of our community.
Jews of Color Initiative – A national effort focused on building and advancing the professional, organizational and communal field for Jews of Color. The Initiative focuses on grantmaking, research and field building, and community education.
LGBTQ
Our Family Coalition – Support for LGBTQ families with children, prospective parents, youth, allies, community partners and volunteers. Our support consists of workshops, support groups, outings, seasonal celebrations, meet ups, classes, play dates and referrals in San Francisco and the East Bay.
PFlag – The first and largest organization for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+) people, their parents and families, and allies.
Single Parents
Single Jewish Moms – Since 2011, we’ve been connecting single Jewish moms of all ages and affiliations, with community, education, support and love, as they courageously navigate the challenges and blessings of raising children on their own.
Bay Area Single Parents Meet-Up Group – We are a vital and active community of single parents. Our group provides a low pressure way to connect with other single parents on hikes, kids activities, dinners out, events with other single families and more. We average 5+ events per week.
Special Needs
JFCS: Disabilities Services – One of the most comprehensive programs for individuals with disabilities and their families and caregivers.
Friendship Circle – This organization provides friendship and support to parents of special needs children, as well as programs and activities for children.
Books/Music/Crafts/Games
PJ Library – PJ Library mails free, high quality Jewish children’s literature and music to families on a monthly basis. While you can sign up to receive the wonderful gifts from the program, the website also contains book recommendations, other resources and general parenting info.
Mimi and Friends – For more than 30 years, Mimi Greisman has educated hundreds of tots and their families – helping them celebrate Jewish traditions and holidays with interactive music, stories, guitar-singing and puppets.
Bible Belt Balbusta – Bible Belt Balabusta provides information on Jewish craft projects for families to do together.
Shalom Sesame – ShalomSesame.org offers a wide range of educationally rich content – free games, videos, activities and printables. The site focuses on the Jewish holiday cycle, Jewish values, Shabbat, Israel and Hebrew language.
BimBam – BimBam uses digital storytelling to spark connections to Judaism for learners of all ages.
Days United – Days works hard to translate rituals and blessings, search out tasty recipes and cool designs, and develop original craft projects. They provide all the ingredients to help you reconnect with childhood memories, find new meanings in old traditions, and share the experiences with family, friends, and neighbors.
Tot Shabbat in a Box – From the comfort of your home, young children can discover, learn and be introduced to the traditions of Judaism with hands-on activities, storytelling, music, movement and games included in our boxes create a love of Judaism. Additionally, each month they offer a free pre-recorded Virtual Tot Shabbat experience.
Box of Israel – This kit is a fun, non-digital way for kids to play, learn, & interact with Israel. During a time where travel to Israel is not possible, ‘A Box of Israel’ brings Israel to you & your family! By creatively connecting the next generation to Israel in a hands-on way, we are able to carry on our educational work in an innovative, necessary fashion. Through this box, your child(ren)’s relationship with Israel can be introduced, nurtured, & strengthened.
General
Contemporary Jewish Museum – This treasure of a museum in located in San Francisco and has wonderful programming, including art-making and gallery tours for young families on Sundays.
The Jewish Community Federation – The Jewish Community Federation and Endowment Fund is a philanthropic catalyst, connecting Bay Area Jews – of all ages, backgrounds, and perspectives – to the power we have as a community to improve the world. The Jewish Baby Network is funded by a generous grant from the Jewish Community Federation.
Jewish Community Library – Our circulating collection features more than 36,000 books, periodicals, CDs, and DVDS that span a huge range of Jewish topics and perspectives. With a helpful and knowledgeable staff, our library serves as a neutral ground for discovery, where both Jews and non-Jews can explore the Jewish tradition from many angles with no barriers to entry.
Reboot – Reboot affirms the value of Jewish traditions and creates new ways for people to make them their own. Inspired by Jewish ritual and embracing the arts, humor, food, philosophy, and social justice, we produce creative projects that spark the interest of young Jews and the larger community.
Honeymoon Israel – Honeymoon Israel provides immersive trips to Israel for locally based cohorts of couples that have at least one Jewish partner, early in their committed relationship, creating communities of couples who are building families with deep and meaningful connections to Jewish life and the Jewish people.
Cordbloodbanking.com – We want to provide you and your family with relevant information on cord blood, banking options and emerging research, so you can make the best decision possible for your family. Our organization promotes awareness for current and future stem cell treatments, and we are committed to being the most comprehensive and up-to-date resource available for mothers and families considering cord blood.
birthmark.org – The following information about vascular birthmarks was put together as part of a Bat Mitzvah project by a young woman in our community. It’s her hope to educate parents to-be so that babies born with these birthmarks can benefit from early intervention. Letter to Parents To-Be
