Baby Naming
The welcoming of a new life into the world is amongst the greatest of miracles, one marked with special Jewish rituals.
A boy is entered into the Jewish community through brit milah, or the covenant of circumcision. The ritual of brit milah dates back to Abraham, the first Jew, and is, as the Torah prescribes (Genesis 17:12), held on the child’s eighth day of life, with the child’s day of birth counting as the first day.
The brit milah ceremony includes two main components, the ritual circumcision, as well as the Hebrew naming of the infant boy. A mohel, or Jewish doctor with special training in the ritual aspects of brit milah, performs the circumcision and officiate the ceremony with one or more members of the TBI clergy. To discuss a brit milah or to find out about local mohalim, please reach out to our Rabbi.
Baby girls are welcomed into the Jewish community through a naming ritual. Most often this takes place on Shabbat morning. The parents of the young baby girl are first honored with an aliyah. Following the aliyah, the Hebrew name of the baby girl is announced with a special naming blessing and the couple is invited to share a few words about the name(s) with the congregation. The rabbi then speaks to the family and presents them with a naming certificate.
Alternatively, some families choose to have a private naming ceremony which consists of special prayers, readings, and song and is officiated by the Rabbi.
Both a brit milah as well as private baby naming ceremony can be held in the home or by renting a space at TBI.
Please be in touch with the TBI clergy with any questions.
Aufruf/Wedding
The "Aufruf" is a tradition in conservative Judaism where the groom is called to the Torah in a synagogue before his wedding. It is typically held on the Shabbat preceding the wedding and is seen as a public declaration of the upcoming marriage. The groom is given an aliyah (the honor of reciting a blessing over the Torah) and is surrounded by friends and family members.
In conservative Judaism, weddings are typically held under a wedding canopy (chuppah) and include traditional Jewish rituals such as the exchange of rings, the seven blessings, and the breaking of the glass. The ceremony is performed by a rabbi and may also include participation from the bride and groom. The conservative movement emphasizes the traditional aspects of Jewish weddings while also allowing for individual customization and adaptations.
Please be in touch with the TBI clergy with any questions.
Celebrate a Birthday/Anniversary/Special Lifecycle Event by purchasing:
- A new Engraved Stone (in brass) for the Tree of Life for $250
