Brit Milah and Baby Naming
The Jewish tradition affirms Brit Milah for boys and baby naming for girls.
The Torah commands us to circumcise our newborn sons on the eighth day of their new lives. This powerful ceremony celebrates new life, and also brings our sons into Judaism’s sacred covenant. The rabbis can put you in touch with a Mohel (ritual circumciser), help the parents understand the ceremony, and co-officiate, along with the Mohel.
We celebrate the great blessing of a newborn daughter with a ceremony that brings her into the covenant, and confers upon her a Hebrew name. The rabbis can help you think through and design this ceremony, which can take place either at home, or at the synagogue.
Consecration
Consecration, marking a student's entry into Religious School, occurs each year as part of our Simchat Torah celebration.
BE Mitzvah
According to Jewish tradition, the age of responsibility is reached at age thirteen. This means that a young person takes their first step toward autonomy and responsibility by becoming literally a student of the Commandments and is counted as an adult in the Jewish community.
Contact our Temple Office for details.
Confirmation
Confirmation is designed to enable our Religious School students to graduate from our program with an informed, positive, and confident Jewish identity.
Marriage
We encourage our members to consider the opportunity for marriage in our temple sanctuary under our beautiful chuppah.
The rabbis can help you prepare for this wonderful, joyous occasion, by teaching the couple the meaning of the ceremony, from Ketubah (marriage document), to Kiddushin (Engagement) to Chuppah (Marriage Canopy) to Nissuin (marriage ceremony) to breaking the glass. We also counsel you, offering Jewish wisdom in preparation for a life dedicated to love and companionship. We also work with you in designing the ceremony, providing our knowledge and experience.
Yahrzeit
Yahrzeit is recited each Tuesday morning, at Erev Shabbat and Festival worship. If you would like to be certain that a name is included on our yahrzeit list, contact Nakia Tesfamicael.
Death and Dying
The temple is committed in supporting families at this time of greatest loss. The temple's cemetery, Gan Hazikaron, is maintained as a resource for our members and the Jewish community. Our rabbis, cantor, staff and a committed group of lay leaders, through our temple's Caring Committee, are available to support our members' needs. Please contact Kim Beauchamp for information about Gan Hazikaron.
Conversion
We welcome individuals who would like to explore conversion to Judaism. Our rabbis will be happy to meet with you to answer your questions and explain the process. To schedule an appointment, please contact the Temple Office.
Photo credit: Rachel Capil Photography