Babies are Trendy. What’s Next, God?

I can personally attest to the fact that few things require more faith than parenting.  So it’s good  that someone is finally starting to catch on to the fact that young parents are ripe for “outreach”.  Maybe now that there’s a story about it in the Forward, something will get done.  Maybe even in the neighborhoods where young Jewish parents live (which is often FAR from the JCC or a synagogue).

In fact, this is an issue I’ve been fussing and fuming about since I became a mother a year ago…  in truth because I just really need some good non-Jesus-filled subsidized daycare.  The Jewish community seems unable to catch on to the value of thefabulous  mother’s morning out programs  that churches run.

Leaving me to choose between cheap convenient reliable daycare (and a lot of Jesus-loves-me), or my religion.

But it’s not JUST cheap daycare I want. Truly.  It’s also that suddenly, as a mom, I want to know other Jewish families. I want my son to light candles and hunt afikomen with other Jewish kids. It feels crucial, although I’ve been too lazy to create that community for myself. I want it  for my kids.  I may have been a really bad Jew in college, and I may have intermarried, but having a baby changes you. 

So here’s a challenge to the Jewish community… to venture out of the safety of the Northern suburbs in every major city, and  into the (horrors!) City itself.  Try your “outreach” on some people who could really use it.

I’m ready for it, and I bet the Jewish friends I don’t know yet are too. 

And I’m curious to hear from other young unaffiliated Jews with kids. Have you joined a synagogue?  Would you for good cheap daycare?