Shalom! Mazal Tov

on the newest addition to your family! Whether this is your first baby or you’ve experienced this wonderful joy before, parenthood is an exciting time - one of happiness, love and probably a few questions. Shalom Baby is the Soloway Jewish Community Centre’s (SolowayJCC) program to welcome your little one to the Jewish community and provide a useful resource to guide you along your parenthood journey. Looking for a place to meet other parents? Find age-appropriate community activities? Discuss common baby concerns? Shalom Baby is your answer. We invite you and your baby to join us once a month to participate in one of our many exciting and informative programs. We hope you enjoy our free welcome basket filled with valuable information, Jewish community resources, additional resources and support in Ottawa, and free gifts for you and your baby.

Welcome to the Ottawa Jewish Community! Ottawa’s Jewish community is over 100 years old. Today, close to 15,000 Jews reside here. The hub of the Jewish community is located in the west end of the city where the Jewish Community Campus is situated at Broadview and Kerr Avenue. The Campus is home to the vibrant Soloway JCC; Hillel Lodge - 100 bed long-term care facility; Soloway JCC Ganon Preschool; Early Beginnings Multicultural Child Development Centre; Hillel Academy – Hebrew Day School; offices for the Jewish National Fund, Na’amat Ottawa, State of Israel Bonds, and Tamir – the agency that assists those with developmental disabilities. The Jewish Federation of Ottawa – the community’s central fundraising arm, which supports more than 30 partnered agencies, and helps preserve and enrich Jewish life in Ottawa, Israel and over-seas - is also located on campus.

Shalom Baby Ottawa

Shalom! IF YOU ARE NEW TO OTTAWA, YOU CAN ALSO RECEIVE THE FOLLOWING FREE ITEMS: OTTAWA JEWISH BULLETIN Newcomers receive a free Bulletin for three months! The Ottawa Jewish Bulletin is your Jewish community newspaper with all the news and views about Ottawa’s Jewish community. The Bulletin publishes 19 issues annually and can be delivered to your home for as little as $30 per year. For your free trial subscription, please contact 613-798-4696 ext. 256.

SOLOWAY JEWISH COMMUNITY CENTRE Enjoy a free one-month membership to the Soloway JCC. Use our state-of-the-art fitness centre, our beautiful swimming pools, hot tub, sauna, squash and basketball courts, baby sitting services and more. To take advantage of this special introductory offer, please call 613-798-9818 ext. 233.

OTTAWA JEWISH INFO CENTRE

Your community information source (613) 798-4644 or 1-877-798-4644 www.jewishottawainfocentre.com [email protected]

Shalom Baby Ottawa

Education PRESCHOOLS GANON PRESCHOOL Phone: 613-798-9818 ext. 280 www.jccottawa.com WESTBORO JEWISH MONTESSORI PRESCHOOL Phone: 613-729-7712

CHILD CARE

SUPPLEMENTARY SCHOOLS OTTAWA MODERN JEWISH SCHOOL Phone: 613-722-6657 www.omjs.ca OTTAWA TALMUD TORAH AFTERNOON SCHOOL Phone: 613-722-8827 www.ottas.ca

EARLY BEGINNINGS MULTICULTURAL CHILD DEVELOPMENT CENTRE Phone: 613-722-5157 www.jccottawa.com

STAR OF DAVID HEBREW SCHOOL Phone: 613-733-6168 www.starofdavidhebrewschool.com

ELEMENTARY DAY SCHOOLS

TEMPLE ISRAEL RELIGIOUS SCHOOL Phone: 613-224-3133 www.templeisraelottawa.ca

CHEDER RAMBAM Phone: 613-820-9484 www.rambam.ca OTTAWA JEWISH COMMUNITY SCHOOL (HILLEL ACADEMY) Phone: 613-722-0020 www.hillelacademy.ca TORAH ACADEMY Phone: 613-724-0110 www.torahacademy.ca

HIGH SCHOOLS MACHON SARAH HIGH SCHOOL (WOMEN’S PROGRAM) Phone: 613-729-4172 OTTAWA TORAH INSTITUTE (BOY’S PROGRAM) Phone: 613-244-9119 www.ottawatorah.org OTTAWA JEWISH COMMUNITY SCHOOL (YITZHAK RABIN HIGH SCHOOL) Phone: 613-244-9119 www.yrhs.ca

Shalom Baby Ottawa

TORAH HIGH Phone: 613-262-6279 www.ncsyottawa.com CHABAD HEBREW SCHOOL Phone: 613-823-0866 www.ottawatorahcentre.com

Synagogues ADATH SHALOM CONGREGATION (Conservative) Phone: 613-240-4564 www.adath-shalom.ca [email protected] AGUDATH ISRAEL CONGREGATION (Conservative) Phone: 613-728-3501 www.agudathisrael.net [email protected] BETH SHALOM (Conservative) Phone: 613-789-3501 www.bethshalom.ca [email protected] BEIT TIKVAH (Modern Orthodox) Phone: 613-723-1800 www.cbto.org [email protected] MACHZIKEI HADAS (Orthodox) Phone: 613-521-9700 www.machzikeihadas.com [email protected] OTTAWA RECONSTRUCTIONIST HAVURAH (Reconstruction) Phone: 613-239-4988 www.orh.ca [email protected] OTTAWA SEPHARDI ASSOCIATION Phone: 613-726-1162

Shalom Baby Ottawa

OTTAWA TORAH CENTRE CHABAD Phone: 613-823-0866 www.ottawatorahcentre.com CHABAD HOUSE OF BARRHAVEN Phone: 613-565-1818 CHABAD OF CENTREPOINTE Phone: 613-594-4900 www.chabadcentrepointe.com TEMPLE ISRAEL (Reform) Phone: 613-224-1802 www.templeisraelottawa.ca [email protected] YOUNG ISRAEL OF OTTAWA (Orthodox) Phone: 613-722-8394 www.ottmall.com/yi/ [email protected]

Jewish Service Agencies ACTIVE JEWISH ADULTS 50+ (AJA 50+) Phone: 613-798-9818 ext. 309

THE BESS AND MOE GREENBERG FAMILY HILLEL LODGE

OTTAWA JEWISH COMMUNITY FOUNDATION (OJCF) Phone: 613-798-4696 ext. 252 www.jewishottawa.com/ojcf

Phone: 613-728-3900

OTTAWA HEBREW FREE LOAN ASSOCIATION

GREENBERG FAMILIES LIBRARY

Phone: 613-722-2225

Phone: 613-798-9818 ext. 245

JEWISH EDUCATION THROUGH TORAH (JET) Phone: 613-798-9818 ext. 247 www.jetottawa.com

SOLOWAY JEWISH COMMUNITY CENTRE (SOLOWAY JCC) Phone: 613-798-9818 www.jccottawa.com

JEWISH FAMILY SERVICES (JFS)

OTTAWA JEWISH HISTORICAL SOCIETY (OJHS)

Phone: 613-722-2225 www.jfsottawa.com

Phone: 613-244-8291 www.ojhs.ca

JEWISH NATIONAL FUND (JNF)

OTTAWA HADASSAH - WIZO (OHW)

Phone: 613-798-2411

Phone: 613-798-7644 www.chw.ca (national)

KOLLEL OF OTTAWA (CENTRE FOR JEWISH EDUCATION)

STATE OF ISRAEL BONDS

Phone: 613-729-4368 www.kollelottawa.org

Phone: 613-792-1142 www.israelbonds.ca

NA’AMAT OTTAWA

TAMIR FOUNDATION

Phone: 613-722-2932 www.naamat.com

Phone: 613-725-3519 www.tamir.ca

OTTAWA CHEVRA KADISHA Phone: 613-526-9192

VERED ISRAEL CULTURAL AND EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM

OTTAWA JEWISH ARCHIVES (OJA)

Phone: 613-798-4696 ext. 243 www.jccottawa.com

Phone: 613-798-9818 ext.260 www.ottawajewisharchives.ca

JEWISH OTTAWA SOUTH ASSOCIATION www.jewishottawasouth.com

Shalom Baby Ottawa

Youth & Young Adult Programs B’NAI BRITH YOUTH ORGANIZATION (BBYO) Phone: 613-798-9818 ext. 303 www.bbyo.org

FEDERATION OF REFORM OTTAWA SENIOR TEMPLE YOUTH (FROSTY) Phone: 613-224-3531

NATIONAL CONFERENCE OF SYNAGOGUE YOUTH (NCSY) Phone: 613-262-NCSY (6279) www.ncsyottawa.com

CAMP B’NAI BRITH OF OTTAWA Phone: 613-244-9210; (camp season only) 819-458-2660 www.cbbottawa.com

CAMP GESHER Phone: 613-336-3583; 1-877-444–7437 www.campgesher.com

JEWISH STUDENTS’ ASSOCIATION HILLEL (JSA) Phone: 613-236-2345 www.jsaottawa.com

UNITED SYNAGOGUE YOUTH (USY) Phone: 613-825-5219 www.usy.org

YOUNG ADULT DIVISION OF JEWISH FEDERATION OF OTTAWA (YAD) Phone: 613- 798-4696 ext. 270 www.jewishottawa.com/yad

Shalom Baby Ottawa

JETSETTERS Phone: 613-798-9818 ext. 247 www.jetottawa.com

Fun in the City CITY OF OTTAWA, PARKS AND RECREATION

CANADIAN MUSEUM OF CIVILIZATION

613-580-2400 www.ottawa.ca/residents/parks_recreation/parks/loations/index_en.shtml

100 Laurier St., Gatineau, QC 819-776-7000 www.civilization.ca

PAPANACK ZOO

CANADA AVIATION MUSEUM

150 Country Rd 19, Wendover, ON 613-673-7275 www.papanack.com

Aviation & Rockliffe Parkways, Ottawa, ON 613-993-2010 www.aviation.tecnomuses.ca

SAUNDERS FARM

CANADA SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY MUSEUM

7893 Bleeks Rd, Munster, ON 613-838-5440 www.saundersfarm.com

VALLEYVIEW LITTLE ANIMAL FARM 4750 Fallowfield Rd. Ottawa, ON 613-591-1126 www.vvlittleanimalfarm.com

HULL-CHELSEA-WAKEFIELD STEAM TRAIN 165 Deveault St., Gatineau, QC 819-778-7246 www.steamtrain.ca

CANADA AGRICULTURE MUSEUM Central Experimental Farm, Prince of Wales Dr. (north of Baseline), Ottawa, ON 613-991-3044 www.agriculture.technomuses.ca

CANADIAN CHILDREN’S MUSEUM 100 Laurier St., Gatineau, QC 819-776-7000 www.civilization.ca

Shalom Baby Ottawa

1867 St. Laurent Blvd, Ottawa, ON 613-991-3044 www.sciencetech.technomuses.ca CANADIAN MUSEUM OF NATURE 240 McLeod at Metcalfe, Ottawa, ON 613-566-4700 www.nature.ca

NATIONAL GALLERY OF CANADA 380 Sussex Drive, Ottawa, ON 613-990-1985 www.national.gallery.ca

Hospitals CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL OF EASTERN ONTARIO (CHEO) 401 Smyth Rd. Phone: 613-737-7600

RIVERSIDE CAMPUS 1967 Riverside Dr. Phone: 613-738-7100

QUEENSWAY CARLETON HOSPITAL ELIZABETH BRUYERE HEALTH CENTRE 43 Bruyere St. Phone: 613-562-0050

3045 Baseline Rd. Phone: 613-721-2000

ROYAL OTTAWA HOSPITAL OTTAWA HEART INSTITUTE 40 Ruskin St. Phone: 613-761-5000

1145 Carling Ave. Phone: 613-722-6521

ST. LOUIS DE MONTFORT HOSPITAL OTTAWA HOSPITAL Civic Campus 1053 Carling Ave. Emergency: 613-761-4621 Information: 613-761-4000

GENERAL CAMPUS 501 Smyth Rd. Emergency: 613-737-8000 Information: 613-737-7777

713 Montreal Rd. Phone: 613-746-4621

ST. VINCENT HOSPITAL 60 Cambridge St. N. Phone: 613-233-4041

TELEHEALTH ONTARIO Free access to a registered nurse 1-866-797-0000 (24 hours per day, 7 days per week) TTY: 1-866-797-0007

ONTARIO HEALTHY BABIES HEALTHY CHILDREN PROGRAM This program is for pregnant women and parents of young children. A Public Health Nurse or a Family Visitor will provide information about pregnancy and childbirth, preparing for your baby, taking care of yourself during pregnancy and after your baby is born, emotional health, postpartum depression, feeding your baby and breastfeeding. A Public Health Nurse will also call you after you go home from the hospital to answer any questions you may have. She will arrange a time to visit you and your baby at home. A Public Health Nurse or a Family Visitor may continue to visit you to: • • •

support you when your baby comes home help you find community resources provide ongoing guidance on parenting, feeding and baby care

For more information, call: Ottawa Public Health Information: 613-580-6744; toll-free: 1-866-426-8885 http://ottawa.ca/residents/health/support/hbhc/index_en.html

Shalom Baby Ottawa

Breastfeeding LA LECHE LEAGUE OTTAWA CHAPTER:

EARLY YEARS CENTRE, CANADIAN MOTHERCRAFT OF OTTAWA

Phone: 613-238-5919 (7 days a week) http://www.lalecheleague.org/

475 Evered Ave. Open Fridays only, from 1:30 to 3:00 p.m.

WABA – WORLD ALLIANCE FOR BREASTFEEDING ACTION

SOMERSET WEST COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTRE

http://www.waba.org.my/wwaba.htm

55 Eccles St., Ottawa Open Wednesdays only, 1:30 to 3:00 pm Limited to families living within an area bordered by Island Park Drive, Carling Avenue, Bay Street, Lyon Street and Ottawa River.

ONTARIO PUBLIC HEALTH Information: 613-580-6744 Toll free: 1-866-426-8885 http://ottawa.ca/residents/health/ living/nutrition/birth_six/baby/ breastfeeding/index_en.html

ONTARIO BREASTFEEDING SUPPORT DROP-INS WEST

PINECREST QUEENSWAY COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTRE Ontario Early Years Centre 1365 Richmond Rd. Open Tuesdays from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m.

QUEENSWAY CARLETON HOSPITAL CHILDBIRTH CENTRE 3045 Baseline Rd., Nepean Open Tuesdays only, from 1:00 to 2:30 p.m. Please bring Provincial Health Card

SOUTH EAST

SOUTH EAST OTTAWA CENTRE FOR A HEALTHY COMMUNITY 600 - 1355 Bank St., Ottawa Call 613-737-5115 Open Mondays only, 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

CENTRAL

CARLINGTON COMMUNITY & HEALTH SERVICES 900 Merivale Rd. Open Wednesdays only, 9:30 to 11:00 a.m.

CENTRETOWN COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTRE 420 Cooper St., Ottawa Open Mondays only, from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m.

Shalom Baby Ottawa

Postpartum Depression

“

THE BIRTH OF A BABY IS A TIME OF JOY, SO WHY AM I FEELING SO SAD?

Many women feel unhappy after childbirth.

”

Do you have any of these signs? • • • • • • •

trouble sleeping loss of appetite feeling tired frequent crying difficulty in making decisions anxiety or panic attacks feeling sad, lonely, hopeless

You may have postpartum depression.

No one is sure what causes postpartum depression. It can: • happen right after the birth of a baby or many months later happen after adopting a baby • leave you with feelings of guilt and loneliness

What can I do about these feelings? • CALL Ottawa Public Health Information at: 613-580-6744, ext. 3 Toll-free: 1-866-426-8885 • CALL M.O.M.S. (Mothers Offering Mothers Support) for information about postpartum depression and support groups at 613-725-3601, ext. 114 • TALK to your doctor • SHARE your feelings with your partner, family or friend. You may need assistance taking care of your baby • FIND OUT MORE about postpartum depression

Shalom Baby Ottawa

Suggested Readings: • Pacific Postpartum Support Society, Postpartum Depression and Anxiety, A Self-Help Guide for Mothers, Fourth Edition, 1997. Available at the Parent Resource Centre for $12.95. (This is an excellent self-help guide.) • Placksin, Sally, Mothering the New Mother: Women's Feelings and Needs after Childbirth • Kleiman, K., Raskin, V., This Isn't What I Expected, Bantam, 1994. • Huysman, Arlene, A Mother's Tears: Understanding the Mood Swings that Follow Childbirth

For help call: • Ottawa Public Health Information: 613-580-6744, ext. 3 / Toll-free 1-866-426-8885: staffed by Public Health Nurses • Your family doctor • Distress Centre at 613-238-3311: Open 24 hours a day to provide immediate support • Parent Resource Centre at 613-565-2467: support for parents • The Community Health Centre in your area may have group support sessions for new parents

Ottawa Well Baby Drop-In Welcome babies up to 3 months old. Meet other parents and talk with the Public Health Nurse. The nurse can provide breastfeeding support, weigh your baby and can offer information about: feeding your baby, taking care of yourself, what to expect as your baby grows, keeping your baby safe and community programs. You do not need an appointment. All clinics are closed on statutory holidays. For further information, call Ottawa Public Health Information at: (613) 580-6744 / Toll-free: 1-866-426-8885

West and South Area DAY

LOCATION

TIME

Monday

Pretty Street Community Centre 2 Pretty Street - Stittsville

1:30 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.

Tuesday

Glen Cairn United Church 140 Abbey Hill Road - Kanata

9:30 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.

Wednesday

Kinburn Community Centre 3045 Kinburn Side Road

9:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.

Wednesday

City View Centre for Child & Family Services 1099 Longfields Drive

1:30 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.

Thursday

Alexander Community Centre 960 Silver Street

1:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.

Friday

Pinecrest-Queensway Health and Community Services 1365 Richmond Road Ground Floor

9:30 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.

Central and East Area DAY

LOCATION

TIME

Monday

Early Years Centre 102 - 210 Centrum Boulevard - Orléans

1:30 pm - 3:00 pm

Tuesday

Overbrook Community Centre 33 Quill Street

1:30 pm - 3:00 pm

Tuesday

Bethany Hope Centre 1140 Wellington Street

(Young Single Parents)

Wednesday

St. Mary's Home Community Outreach and Program Centre - 780 de l'Église Street

(Young Single Parents)

Wednesday

Somerset West Community Health Centre 55 Eccles Street (Centre Town)

5:30 pm - 7:30 pm

Thursday

Greenboro Community Centre 363 Lorry Greenberg Avenue

1:30 pm - 3:00 pm

Shalom Baby Ottawa

3:30 pm - 4:30 pm 9:30 am - 11:30 am

Early Beginnings Multicultural Child Development Centre EARLY BEGINNINGS MULTICULTURAL CHILD DEVELOPMENT CENTRE Supports the belief that young children learn through action and that a good environment for learning should exercise and challenge the development of each child. As teachers of Early Childhood Education, we view our role as supporters of child development. It is our intention to provide an environment wherein each child is encouraged to express him/herself at his or her personal best. Our program considers the total growth of a child - social, emotional, physical and intellectual.

TODDLERS: 18 - 30 MONTHS Toddlers are typically just starting to build their foundation for learning, and we strive to make them feel comfortable, safe, happy and loved in our program. Our theme-based programs let your toddler experiment with different materials, get actively involved with music, storytelling and puppets, and enjoy his/her first experiences with arts and crafts. STAFFING RATIO: 1:5

PRESCHOOLERS: 30 MONTHS - 5 YEARS Our daily program emphasizes that children learn through active involvement with different material, events and people. Jewish holidays and traditions, music lessons, computer-based activities and field trips are incorporated into the program along with a variety of themes and activities. The program integrates various cultures to accommodate children of different backgrounds. STAFFING RATIO: 1:8

CONTACT SANDY DEYO AT (613) 722-5157 OR [email protected]

Shalom Baby Ottawa

Ganon Preschool ONLY AT GANON PRESCHOOL: • • • • • •

Programs for 2 to 5 year olds ECE qualified teachers Swim instruction Fully equipped gymnasium Music programs We are proud to be the only JCC in Ontario offering the Peer K. Explorer - An Ethical Start®. A new early childhood curriculum developed for and by the Jewish Community Centres of North America

Our early childhood education programs provide each child with the opportunity to develop their own creative, cognitive, social, emotional and physical self. The Soloway JCC Ganon Preschool provides the highest quality Jewish Education by strengthening Jewish identity and laying the groundwork for Jewish living and learning now and in the future.

MORNING PRESCHOOL (2-4 YEAR-OLDS)

Monday - Friday • 8:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. 3’s & 4’s Lunch Bunch • 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

AFTERNOON ENRICHMENT PROGRAMS (3-5 YEAR-OLDS) Monday - Friday • 12:30 PM - 3:30 PM

You don’t need to be registered in the mornings at Ganon to take part in the afternoon fun. Join us from 12:30pm - 3:30pm for Drama, Dance, Music, Swimming and Science. Don’t miss out on any of the good times at Ganon!

FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT LAUREN LEE AT (613) 798-9818 EXT. 280 OR [email protected]

Shalom Baby Ottawa

Family Life Centre

The Family Life Centre supports families with young children through parenting education and discussion groups, as well as interactive classes for parents/caregivers and their children. The Family Life Centre provides a friendly place where families can play and learn together. Please email [email protected] and ask to receive our monthly email calendar with up to date information on our programs and special events. For a list of programs please visit the Soloway JCC website: www.jccottawa.com Program registration is through the SJCC unless otherwise indicated. Programs require a minimum of 4 participants unless otherwise indicated.

Monkey Rock Music Music classes for babies and young children in Ottawa.

613-420-0590 [email protected] Shalom Baby Ottawa

Blessings Blessing upon bringing home your baby SHEHECHIYANU BLESSING: This blessing is a thank-you for allowing you to reach this day. It is usually said as an acknowledgment of a “first”- first day of life, bringing baby home, first step, etc.

Baruch ata adonai, elohaynu melech ha’olam, shehechiyanu, v’ kiyemanu, v’hegeeyanu l’zman hazeh Blessed are You o Lord our God who has given us life and sustained us and allowed us to reach this moment

WEEKLY BLESSING FOR A SON OR DAUGHTER: This blessing is typically said on Shabbat - Friday nights before dinner. The parent places his/her hands over the child’s head, says the blessing in both Hebrew and English and usually will say something personal to the child in his/her ear.

FOR DAUGHTER: This blessing mentions the names of Sarah, Rebecca, Rachel, and Leah... the mothers of the Jewish people. Each one possessed unique qualities that played essential roles in the strength and future of the Jewish people. Each one lived in recognition that the ultimate in fulfillment is enabling others to realize their potentials as individuals and as members of the Jewish people with sensitivity, leadership, and a special ability to inspire others. As a new Jewish female, this blessing wishes your daughter possess such character traits similar to our strong and brave first Jewish women.

Yismech Elohim K’sara, Rivka, Rachel v’leah May God make you like Sarah, Rebecca, Rachel and Leah Yivarchecah adonai v’yishmerecha Ya’er adonai panav elecha v’chuneka Yisa adonai panav elecha V’yasim lecha shalom May god bless you and watch over you May god shine his face toward you and show you favor May God be favorably disposed toward you And may he grant you peace

Shalom Baby Ottawa

Blessings FOR SON: One of the Fathers of the Jewish people was Jacob, who had 12 sons who were to grow to become the leaders of the 12 tribes of Israel. The next-to-youngest son was Joseph, who had two sons, Ephraim and Menashe. Just before Jacob died, he called all his sons for a final blessing. As a special reward to Joseph, who remained righteous throughout his ordeal of exile, he calls forward Joseph's two sons, Ephraim and Menashe, and gives them a special blessing, as well as two portions of the Land of Israel: On that day Jacob blessed them, he said, "In time to come, Israel (the Jewish people) will use you as a blessing. They will say, 'May God make you like Ephraim and Menashe'." (Genesis 48:20) Jacob's blessing was that they should be a blessing, an example to the Jewish people for all time. From that day forward, they would become role models for Jewish children everywhere, as they represented qualities to emulate eternally.

THE BLESSING: Yesimcha Elohim K’Efrayim u’che Menashe Yivarchecah adonai v’yishmerecha Ya’er adonai panav elecha v’chuneka Yisa adonai panav elecha V’yasim lecha shalom May god bless you and watch over you May god shine his face toward you and show you favor May God be favorably disposed toward you And may he grant you peace

Shalom Baby Ottawa

Blessings CEREMONIES SURROUNDING THE BIRTH OF A CHILD BRIT The Brit Milah (sometimes called Bris) or covenant of circumcision, is an expression of Jewish identity and symbolizes an affirmation of the covenant between the Jewish people and G-d. First mentioned in Genesis 17:9-12 as a divine command to Abraham, the ritual is performed on the eighth complete day after birth and marks the admission of the newborn son into the household of Israel. It is during this ceremony that the baby boy receives his name. it is customary to provide a festive meal for family and friends called the “seudah shel mitzvah” (religious banquet) to celebrate the Brit Milah. According to traditional Judaism, there is a difference between circumcision and a brit milah. A brit milah must be performed by an observant Jew who follows a prescribed procedure. A brit milah is typically performed by a mohel, who is a Jew trained in religious law and surgical techniques. For many years there were only Orthodox mohels, but now there are a growing number of progressive mohels who are receptive to the needs of interfaith families. The brit milah may occur in any location.

MOHEL CONTACT INFORMATION: Dr. Andre Engel Pediatric Office : 613-731-2244 Residence : 613-733-4108

Dr. Lisa Rosenkrantz West Carleton Medical Centre Office: 613-839-3271 ext. 133 Residence: 613-729-1956

Rabbi Y Butrimovitz Phone: 613-729-2457 Pager: 613-364-0737 [email protected]

Rabbi Sender Gordon Phone: 613-276-7195 [email protected] MyMohell.webs.com

BIRTH CEREMONIES FOR GIRLS There is no commandment in the Hebrew bible to welcome Jewish girls in a particular ceremony, so over the centuries a wide variety of ceremonies have been developed. In India, parents decorate their home with flower blossoms floating in water. In Turkey, and originally in Medieval Spain, guests at the Las Fadas ceremony would pass around the baby girl and say a blessing and speak of their hope for the new child. Until the ‘70s, the only widespread ritual for welcoming girls in the U.S. was a brief ceremony where fathers, or both parents, would go to synagogue and have a blessing recited expressing hope that the girl grows up in good health, learns Torah, marries under a wedding canopy and does good deeds. In 1973, the first welcoming ceremony for girls was created by an innovative Jewish couple, Michael and Sharon Strassfield. Since then, countless variations and adaptations of the ritual (sometimes known as simchat bat or kabbalat bat) have sprung up, and it is now common among both liberal and Orthodox Jews to hold welcoming ceremonies for their baby daughters.

Shalom Baby Ottawa

Resources READING ON JEWISH PARENTING •

Honest Answers to Your Child's Jewish Questions by Sharon G. Forman (Paperback - Apr. 2006)

•

The Jewish Pregnancy Book: A Resource for the Soul, Body & Mind During Pregnancy, Birth & the First Three Months by Sandy, M.D. Falk, Daniel Judson and Steven A. Rapp (Paperback - Nov. 2003)

•

How to Be a Jewish Parent: A Practical Handbook for Family Life by Anita Diamant and Karen Kushner (Paperback - Sept. 2000)

•

Becoming a Jewish Parent: How to Explore Spirituality and Tradition with Your Children by Daniel Gordis (Paperback - Nov. 2000)

•

To Raise a Jewish Child: A Guide for Parents by Hayim Halevy Donin. (Paperback - Jan. 1991)

•

Sources for having a Shalom Bat include: “Traditional Ways of Welcoming Jewish Daughters,” “The Modern Evolution of Ceremonies for Girls” and “The Elements of a Brit Bat,” all by Debra Nussbaum Cohen

KOSHER PRODUCTS •

Loblaws College Square Market - 1980 Baseline Rd, Ottawa

•

Rideau Bakery - 384 Rideau St., Ottawa - Tel: (613) 789-1019

•

Sobokov Café - Hillel Lodge - 10 Nadolny Sachs Private, Tel: (613) 728-3900

•

United Kosher Deli - Soloway JCC - 21 Nadolny Sachs Private, Tel: (613) 798-9818 ext. 292

1666 Bank St., Ottawa - Tel: (613) 737-3355

Shalom Baby Ottawa

Resources RESOURCES

JEWISH RESOURCES

CANADIAN PAEDIATRIC SOCIETY

GUIDE TO DIFFERENT INTERFAITH BIRTH CEREMONIES

2305 St. Laurent Blvd, Ottawa Phone: 613-526-9397 Fax: 613-526-3332 www.cps.ca

http://www.interfaithfamily.com/birth ceremoniesguidePDF http://www.modernjewishmom.com

CARING FOR KIDS Child Health Information from Canada’s paediatric experts http://www.caringforkids.cps.ca/index.htm

ONTARIO EARLY YEARS CENTRES http://www.ontarioearlyyears.ca

THE YOUNG/SINGLE PARENT SUPPORT NETWORK OF OTTAWA www.ottawayoungparents.com

FIRST WORDS Pinecrest-Queensway Health & Community Services 1365 Richmond Rd., 2nd floor Phone: 613-688-3979 Fax: 613-820-7427 TTY: 613-820-7427 www.pqhcs.com/firstwords/about_us.htm

KIDS HEALTH FOR PARENTS www.kidshealth.org/parent

www.jewishpregnancy.org www.MyJewishLearning.com is a trans-denominational website of Jewish information and education geared toward learners of all ages and educational backgrounds THE MOTHERS CIRCLE Are you raising Jewish children but you're not Jewish? Don't do it alone. Join The Mothers circle to learn about Jewish rituals, ethics and the how-to's of creating a Jewish home. The Mothers Circle is a free eight month course, beginning this fall at the Soloway JCC, designed to assist mothers who wish to include aspects of Jewish tradition in their family life. This is not a conversion course. If you are interested in being part of The Mothers Circle, or know someone who might be, please contact Maxine Miska at 613-798-9818 ext. 263, [email protected] www.themotherscircle.org

Shalom Baby Ottawa

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Shalom Baby Ottawa

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Shalom!

We hope you enjoy our welcome basket filled with valuable information, Jewish community resources, additional resources and support in Ottawa, and free gifts for you and your baby. For more information contact 613-798-9818 ext. 243 [email protected] To receive a monthly Calendar of Events for 0-5 year olds please contact Laine Lazarovitz (613) 798-9818 ext. 294, [email protected]

www.shalombabyottawa.ca Also, you can now “Like” us on Facebook through the Soloway JCC Facebook page!

Shalom Baby Ottawa