We celebrate the birth of children, and share in the joy as they become Bar or Bat Mitzvah and are confirmed. We pray for those who are ill and comfort each other at times of loss. In song, we lift our voices to God and bring holiness into our lives. Temple Emanu-El is all of this and more. We are a warm, open, and welcoming family. We are dedicated to bringing sacredness into our lives, and into the world. Join us in this wonderful and sacred journey.
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When a child is born, parents choose a name, which is inscribed on the birth certificate. A Hebrew name is also given at the brit milah or simchat bat . (Check with the Rabbi for more information.)
Brit Milah
Circumcision, or brit milah, is performed to symbolize the covenant between God and Israel. A healthy baby boy is circumcised on the 8th day of life. The ceremony includes giving the child his Hebrew name. Tradionally, circumcision is done by a mohel (a person ritually trained to perform circumcisions).
Simchat Bat
With the birth of a baby girl, a Simchat Bat ceremony is usually held in which the child's hebrew name is given and the child is welcomed into the convenant of the Jewish People.
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Becoming a Bar or Bat Mitzvah at Temple Emanu-El represents the attainment of a significant level of Jewish knowledge through study tailored to the individual needs of the student. Participation of the child as well as the family is stressed. To be eligible, students must attend Religious School from the third grade or be otherwise qualified. We view Bar and Bat Mitzvah as the beginning of a lifetime of Jewish learning.
Our students lead the Shabbat service and read from the Torah for their Bar/Bat Mitzvah service. Temple Emanu-El has a Bar/Bat Mitzvah Guide available for parents. In addition to leading worship services and reading from the Torah, B'nai Mitzvah students are required to do a mitzvah project.
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Confirmation occurs at the end of the tenth grade. In preparation, our students tailor their studies to their own interests, take on greater roles in the life of the congregation, and engage in social action projects. Our students complete their studies with a trip to Israel or an alternate location of Jewish significance.
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The Jewish traditions related to death and mourning are intended to recognize death as a part of life. The traditions of preparing the body, sitting shiva (a seven-day period of mourning immediately following a funeral), saying Kaddish (prayer for the dead) and observing the yahrzeit (anniversary of a death) guide Jews through a difficult period. These familiar customs and rituals provide for mourning, grief and re-emphasizing the true nature of life.
After the funeral the family usually sits shiva for three to seven days. Friends and family come to their home to offer condolences. The period of sheloshim last for a month. It is during this time the mourners slowly get back to their routine. Mourning is restricted to a period of one year. The Kaddish prayer is said by the mourning for the first 11 months, on the anniversary of the death, and at Yizkor service in the synagogue. A yahrzeit candle is lit for the seven days of mourning as well as on the anniversary of the death and on the evenings before we say the Yizkor service.
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