Welcome, Future HMIer!

HMI is so excited to celebrate your growing family! We want to help connect you and your newest arrival with some of our favorite national and local partners and resources. From the funniest Jewish parenting blogs to the best place to find playgroups in your neighborhood, these are meant to support you in your journey as you continue your exploration of bringing Jewish life into your home. Check out our curated list for all the coolest and most helpful links!

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National Sites and Communities We Love:

BimBam uses digital storytelling to spark connections to Judaism for learners of all ages with the cutest animated videos and songs for Shabbat, holidays, and more!

There’s no one way to parent Jewish kids. Kveller is here to give you ideas you can run with–ideas for first-time parents, interfaith parents, queer parents, adoptive parents, and everything in between–with the hopes that you can find information and inspiration that is right for your family.

My Jewish Learning is all about empowering Jewish discovery for anyone interested in learning more with thousands of articles, videos and other resources to help you navigate all aspects of Judaism and Jewish life — from food to history to beliefs and practices.

PJ Library is a Jewish nonprofit that will mail your baby a fun, accessible Jewish children’s book once a month, all totally free!

Connections By City

Many of our HMI cities have amazing resources for families who have just welcomed a new baby. These partners can help you find the coolest baby yoga, Jewish music playgroups, parent classes, and more (and many of them come with their own awesome and free Welcome Baby gifts and swag). Click on your city below to get connected!

Atlanta

JBaby Atlanta

Boston

Welcome Baby

Chicago

JBaby Chicago

Cleveland

Just for Kids & Families

Dallas

JBaby Dallas

DC

JFamily

Denver

JCC  – Family Programs

Houston

JCC – Family Programs

Los Angeles

LA jBabies

Miami

JFamily

Minneapolis

Shalom Baby

New York City

Manhattan JCC

New York City

92Y

Orange County

Welcome Baby

Orange County

JFFS Resource Guide

Philadelphia

jkidphilly

Pittsburgh

Jewish Federation

San Diego

Shalom Baby

San Fran/Bay Area

Jewish Family Network

Seattle

JCC Seattle

Welcome Baby! Box Resources

We hope you love your curated box as much as we do! Each item in the box is meant to help you and your growing family connect to and explore Jewish culture and traditions. Below are some special links that go along with your gifts. Don’t forget next time you meet up with your HMI friends to snap a pic of your little one wearing their new HMI romper and tag us with #WelcomeHMIbaby

Hummus is a great early baby food. Enjoy this recipe from the kitchen of Stephanie Goldfarb, HMI Chicago Feb. ’17.

Experts agree it is important to set up consistent bedtime rituals with your baby. Add an extra connection to your baby’s sleep routine by singing or saying the Shema at night. Shema (which literally means “Listen”) is a prayer we say at night, which reminds us to take a moment, listen, and find the unity of God and community in our world. Don’t remember the words? We’ve got you covered! Check out our curated bedtime playlist with a calming Shema and other great Jewish lullabies.

Pj Library Reading Guides

Each Welcome Baby Box contains a special book for your baby connected to Israel. Click on the book you received for a PJ Library Parent Resource Guide to your book: Goodnight Israel, Does Your Dog Speak Hebrew?, and Listen! Israel’s All Around.

We’re so happy your family is part of our HMI Family. Did you know HMI is a nonprofit organization? We rely on our generous donors, including many alumni like you, to help couples experience the magic of Israel.

Giving tzedakah is often a way we celebrate big moments in life – like getting married, or having a baby. We hope you’ll share about HMI if your loved ones are looking for a way to celebrate your newly expanded family! Click here if you’d like to make a donation in honor of your new arrival.