New Jewish Baby Book (2nd Edition): Names, Ceremonies & Customs―A Guide for Today's Families

by Anita Diamant

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. "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

Genres: Jewish, Judaism, Parenting, Nonfiction, Judaica, Religion

304 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1988

About the author

Anita Diamant is the author of thirteen books -- including THE RED TENT. Based on the biblical story of Dinah, THE RED TENT became a word-of-mouth bestseller in the US and around the world, where it has been published in more than 25 countries.

Her new book, a work of nonfiction. PERIOD. END OF SENTENCE. A NEW CHAPTER IN THE FIGHT FOR MENSTRUAL JUSTICE will be published in May 2021., As different as they are, this book returns to some of the themes of THE RED TENT -- including the meaning and experience of menstruation.

Anita has written four other novels: GOOD HARBOR, THE LAST DAYS OF DOGTOWN, DAY AFTER NIGHT, and THE BOSTON GIRL. She is also the author of six non-fiction guides to contemporary Jewish life, which have become classic reference books: THE JEWISH WEDDING NOW, THE JEWISH BABY BOOK, LIVING A JEWISH LIFE, CHOOSING A JEWISH LIFE, HOW TO RAISE A JEWISH CHILD, and SAYING KADDISH..

An award-winning journalist, Diamant's articles have appeared in the Boston Globe, Real Simple, Parenting Magazine, Hadassah, Boston Magazine and Yankee Magazine. PITCHING MY TENT, a collection personal essays, is drawn from twenty years worth of newspaper and magazine columns.

Reviews

[Ben · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book for the first-time Jewish parents and a great reference for repeat parents as well as friends/family of a Jewish baby, whether these friends/family are Jewish or not. Glad I purchased this book to keep as an ongoing reference.

[Maya · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book started strong but I HATED the approach and tone toward interfaith families.

[Greg · Rating 3 out of 5]

I always enjoy reading Anita Diamant because of her perspective on the changing face of the Jewish culture. This was interesting for me to understand more deeply some of the practices I've experienced growing up and to learn about some I've never heard before. Nothing in here I plan to use (perhaps I would have had more luck with her updated edition as this one is from 1988!) but it nice, easy, enlightening read.

[Hilary · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interestng guide, but I didn't find it nearly as thorough or helpful as The New Jewish Wedding, also by Anita Diamant. I was disappointed that there was very little information about Pidyon Habens. And a lot of information on things that could be useful to other people but didn't apply to us, like intermarried families and adoptions.

[Heather Kleinman · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was recommended to me by our temple because it has excellent information for conducting a bris or baby naming ceremony. I appreciated the pages and pages of blessings, customs, and sample "programs" so you can see what a baby naming ceremony could be like.

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

This has a very clear section of planning for a bris/simchat bat, which I found useful. There is also a nice short section on Jewish names - helpful if you're overwhelmed by the tomes with thousands and thousands of ridiculous names.

[Jamie Schnell · Rating 3 out of 5]

not as much info as I hoped...