Near the end of the Yomtov service, the parents of all babies born within the community since the last ceremony bring them into shul and are called up on to the bimah by the Rabbi in groups. The mothers hold the babies while the fathers place their hands on the babies' heads and recite the traditional Friday night blessing for boys or girls as appropriate. After the blessing each family is presented with a Certificate, a book and a Woodside Park Teddy Bear. On the last two occasions, the presentations were made by Teresa Villiers, our local MP. There are usually between 8 and 12 babies at each ceremony, but at Chanukah 2007 we had a record 23 babies requiring 3 separate groups on the bimah. The Baby Blessing Ceremony is a wonderful opportunity for married couples who are new to parenthood and new to Woodside Park to get to know each other and find out what facilities are available for young parents, such as the Mother and Toddler Group, Young Families and the renowned Toddler Service. There is also a very high uptake rate (sometimes 100%) of babies who go on to enrol at Yavneh Nursery.
Next Baby Blessing Sunday 8th April 2012 (2nd day Pesach)
For parents of babies born since last Pesach. Please contact Hayden Kendler via the shul office at admin@woodsidepark.org.uk
May. 25th - 26th
5th Sivan
Begins: 20:46
Ends: 22:03
Sedra: Bamidbar