Every new mom knows the feeling. You go from 60 to 0 in a matter of days.
One moment it’s parties, pre-maternity-leave meetings and overflowing
guestrooms. The next, you’re alone with a little stranger, no sleep and a
new lifestyle, the reality of which you never could have imagined. It’s not
surprising that 90 percent of mothers reported feelings of “loneliness” and
54 percent “friendless” after having children, according to a survey
conducted by Channel Mums (2017).
This phenomenon is why The Jewish Federation of Greater Washington created
and fully funds the J.Family Ambassador program, run through the area’s
Jewish Community Centers. A recent research study by Morningstar reported a
trend of Jewish families settling in pockets across the D.C. metro area,
often times far away from synagogues, Jewish preschools, community centers
or a larger population of Jews. “Being physically spread out from people in
your community during this important transitional time can only add to the
natural feelings of isolation,” says Alexis Bock Robbins, Assistant
Director of Strategic Planning and Allocations at The Jewish Federation.
“The J.Family Ambassador program is one of the ways Federation is looking
to creatively respond to the needs of our wider community.”
Federation’s funding enables the local Jewish Community Centers in D.C., MD
and Northern VA to identify and train neighborhood-based “ambassadors” to
meet with parents for one-on-one coffee meetings. After a get-to-know-you
meeting and a welcome bag with baby gifts, the J.Ambassadors work to
connect the new family to programs, events and other community members in
their vicinity. “The welcome bag with the baby gifts and the coffee meeting
with the Ambassador was very nice and touching, but the feeling of
welcoming, of entering into a Jewish community I didn’t even know existed
was truly amazing!” says Cheryl Meltz of Alexandria, VA.
“Through this program we have met so many other nice families in the area
with young Jewish children, many in my own neighborhood, which I never
would have met otherwise. We participate in every activity that we can.
These events give us things to do to get out of the house and socialize
with other Jewish families and enjoy ourselves,” continues Meltz whose
daughter is now 6 years old.
The J.Ambassadors work to customize the experience for each new family.
Based on interests, level of religious practice, children’s ages, location
and availability, there is a vast amount of programming available to choose
from – all run by Federation, the Jewish Community Centers, synagogues or
other local Jewish organizations. The programs don’t just include
family-oriented events, but also allow for parents to meet other parents.
“It is nice to get out and socialize with other women without their
children … This program has enriched our lives more than we could have
ever imagined,” says Meltz.
Examples of programming include Sweet Summer Series, where families meet up
at local ice cream parlors for outings; Challah Tots, where families meet
at local coffee shops for pre-Shabbat celebrations; Rosh Hashanah supper
circles, where families come together for a holiday meal; and much more.
“The J.Family Ambassador program offers incredible symbiosis with PJ
Library,” says Sarah Rabin-Spira, PJ Library Manager for The Jewish
Federation of Greater Washington. This Federation-supported national
program distributes free, age-appropriate Jewish-themed books to children
ages 6 months to 8 years old every month. “We’re able to engage with
families right in the convenience of their own home,” continues
Rabin-Spira, “allowing them to feel connected to a nationwide community of
families reading the same books.”
When Danielle, a mother of a 13-month-old in Arlington, Virginia initially
heard about the program, she was admittedly skeptical. “We are fairly
secular and my husband, though Jewish by religious law, was raised
Catholic. I wasn’t sure how well we’d fit in, but we applied anyway.” She
continues, “To our delight, the program caters seamlessly to families of
all levels of religiosity and to all kinds of parents and children. This
program is bringing together disparate pockets of Jews across the area and
creating a community that transcends the lines that typically divide us. I
feel it’s given me the foundation to instill a positive Jewish identity in
my daughter and to strengthen my own. Of course, it’s also a great source
of support and advice for general parenting!”
If you’d like more information about becoming a J.Family Ambassador, or
would like to be contacted by a J.Family Ambassador, visit
shalomdc.org/jfamilyambassadors
