The midrash teaches that every child brings his or her own blessings into this world. One of the most joyous times in our Jewish lives is when we welcome a new baby into our families and community.  The Jewish tradition provides beautiful and meaningful rituals to help us do so.  We at Temple Beth El look forward to welcoming your child into our Temple family, and offer a variety of options for ceremonies to formally welcome your child into the covenant of Jewish life.

1.  Brit Milah -- traditionally, Jewish boys are circumcised and named at a ceremony called “brit milah” or “the covenant of circumcision” which is held on the eighth day after birth.  The day of birth is counted as day one if the baby is born before sunset.  The brit milah can take place at the hospital, doctor’s office, Temple or home, depending on the officiating personnel and the schedule.  There are many beautiful and meaningful ways to make the brit milah a very special time for all involved.  We at Temple Beth El strongly encourage eighth-day circumcision as part of a brit milah ceremony.  If you are considering a medical circumcision in the hospital prior to the eighth day, please call one of the rabbis to discuss a baby naming ceremony at a later date.

2.  Brit Chayim/ Brit Bat -- Although Jewish tradition does not offer a comparable ritual to brit milah for girl babies, Reform Judaism has developed many alternative rituals to welcome girls into the covenant of Jewish tradition. The ceremony of Brit Bat welcomes a baby girl into the covenant through joyous ritual and blessings. It is often performed on the eighth day of life comparable to brit milah for a boy or within the first month of life.  Please call one of the rabbis to discuss options available for these beautiful and innovative ceremonies.

3.  Naming Ceremonies at Temple Beth El -- Many Reform Jewish families choose to welcome their children into the covenant at a public ceremony at Temple.  We encourage you to consider bringing your child to the Temple on a Friday evening or Saturday morning during a service so that the Rabbi and Cantor can publicly bestow the Hebrew name you have chosen and welcome the child into the congregation.  Many families choose to sponsor the Oneg Shabbat following the 8:00 Shabbat service in honor of the occasion, or the 5:30 Preneg of appetizers prior to the 6:00 Welcoming Shabbat service and Summer Shabbat service.  Call one of the rabbis for more information.

4.  Other namings – The rabbis are happy to work with each family to develop other naming ceremonies to be held at the home or other location.  

One of the best resources available on the subject of Jewish Babies is:The Jewish Baby Book, by Anita Diamant, available in bookstores or you can access the internet at www.hebrewbabynames.com.