Celebrating Yom Kippur

“This is a holiday that we usually celebrate in solitude. We repent for undesirable past actions while fasting. And usually there is a big “break fast” meal shared with other Jewish families and friends. This year we have decided that, in order to continue to do our part in the revolution, we will spend a day writing letters to new voters encouraging them to vote, signing petitions to hopefully make a difference in the matters that are most important to us, and participating in a nature clean up. We will likely still have a “break fast” where we will have a big meal but it will be our immediate family only.” –Camilla, mother to Maverick (2)

As humans, we divide and define the year by its seasons and its celebrations. This year the COVID-19 pandemic raises the question: how will we reenvision our usual traditions to make them both safe and meaningful? 

The fall and winter seasons are chock-full of beloved family celebrations and traditions, from Halloween to Thanksgiving, Diwali to Rosh Hashanah, Kwanzaa to Christmas, and all the baby showers and birthdays in between. 

The October-December issues of NW Kids will feature a three-part series from Bridgetown Baby that draws on the creativity of a diverse bunch of Portland families, who are meeting this challenge with gusto. Their stories and experiences offer examples and inspiration for updated celebrations in the COVID age. 

Bridgetown Baby is Portland’s premier postpartum doula group, providing comprehensive postpartum and feeding support to help families grow with strength & confidence. During the pandemic, Bridgetown Baby is doing everything possible to minimize risk to families and doulas while providing the support families need now more than ever. To learn more go to: www.bridgetownbaby.com