[HANASHIR:5483] Hava Nashira: Childcare?

[elliotdp <elliotdp...>]

Dear Hava Nashir-niks:

I would very much like to attend Hava Nashira this year, but have some
childcare issues I'm trying to resolve.   I'm adopting a baby, who is
going to arrive sometime between now and this summer.   I'm on a waiting
list with an adoption agency, so there's a certain amount of uncertainty
about timing.   In any case,  it's possible that I will have a one or
two month old baby by the time Hava Nashira comes.   I'm single, and I'm
trying to decide if it makes sense for me to come to Hava Nashira, and
whether or not to bring the baby.

I understand that Hava Nashira is an adult oriented program, and that
the schedule is jam-packed.    Would it be OK, appropriate, practical
for me to bring the baby?  Or is it not OK, inappropriate and totally
impractical?   Is there any staff at the OSRUI camp that might be able
to provide child care for an extra fee?   Would it be fair or reasonable
to ask other participants if they'd be willing to help out?  I've also
thought about bringing along a friend to be with the baby while I'm
attending workshops, someone who would not be participating in Hava
Nashira.   But I know lodging space is limited, so I wonder if that's
out of the question.

Of course, the easiest thing would be for me to just leave the kid at
home with someone.   But since he'll be so young, that may also be
difficult for me.   I may just need to skip Hava Nashira this year, and
come next  year.   On the other hand, if there is any kind of workable
childcare support, it might be enormously fun for me and others to be
there with the baby.   I just wanted to explore the options, and would
appreciate any helpful feedback.

Thanks very much.

B'shalom,
Elliot Pilshaw

Cantorial Soloist & Songleader
Congregation Kolot Chayeinu
Brooklyn, NY

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