Bris, Brit Milah & Brit Bat Ceremonies
Welcoming a child into the Jewish community is a sacred and joyful moment. Through ancient rituals and meaningful naming traditions, we affirm a covenant
that connects each new life to generations of Jewish history and faith.
To learn more or schedule a ceremony with Temple Adat Elohim’s clergy, please contact Rabbi Diamond or Cantor Shukiar.
What Is a Bris (Brit Milah)?
A bris, or Brit Milah, initiates a Jewish male child into the Jewish community. The ritual includes the surgical removal of the foreskin in a sacred ceremonial context and represents the covenant between God and the Jewish people. Circumcision is mandated in the Torah to take place on the eighth day after birth, even if that day falls on the Sabbath or a Jewish holiday.
A certified mohel (pronounced moy-el) may conduct the ceremony independently or together with a rabbi. A bris most often takes place in a family’s home, though it may also be held at the synagogue.
Is There a Ceremony for Baby Girls?
Yes. A Brit Bat is a female covenantal ceremony that welcomes a Jewish baby girl into the community. It carries deep spiritual meaning through prayer, blessing, and naming.
Traditionally, a Brit Bat takes place on the Sabbath following birth or within the first thirty days. While there is no mandatory timing for naming a Jewish girl, it is encouraged to do so as soon as possible.
What’s In a Name?
“What’s in a name?” asks Juliet of her beloved Romeo. Shakespeare’s characters find their love restricted by their family names, and question the importance of such labels, declaring that a rose by any other name would smell as sweet. It is certainly true that a name on one level is simply a superficial label. I am not a “Theodore” or a “Ted” or any other variation of my name; I am me. Names are simply the way we identify each other.
A Hebrew name, however, assumes a special significance. More accurately, we could call it a “covenant” name. It is the name that ties us back to the time we all stood at Mt. Sinai, joining in an eternal covenant. Whether in Hebrew, Yiddish, Ladino, or any other “Jewish” language, our covenant name establishes and affirms our connection with an entire ancestry of the Jewish people.
There are many traditions surrounding Jewish names:
- Ashkenazim (those from Eastern Europe) often give a child the name of a deceased family member. Sephardim (those originally from Spain) are usually named after a living relative. Both traditions are meant to honor a loved one.
- Sometimes, rather than naming a child after a relative, we choose a name that is particularly meaningful because of someone else who bore that name: Moshe, Miriam, Jonah, etc. Or, we choose a name based upon its meaning: Yonatan/Jonathan (a gift of God), Shoshanah (lily or rose).
- There is yet another tradition that teaches us to name someone as a tikkun – a repair of past events or experiences in our own lives or in our lineage. For instance, if we have experienced a life of disruption and angst, we might use shalom (peace) in a name, such as Shlomo or Shulamit.
- There is even a tradition of changing a name at times of great peril or on the verge of death to trick the “angel of death” as a symbol of renewal, protection, and hope.
We recognize, then, that a name is not only what we are called, but also who we are becoming, carrying memory, meaning, and promise forward from one generation to the next.
Ready to Choose a Name or Schedule a Newborn Ceremony?
Our clergy have had the great honor over the years to help many new parents choose names for their children and bar/bat mitzvah students explore names for themselves. They have helped those choosing Judaism discover their own covenant names, and have even guided adults in uncovering new names that better express their connection with Judaism.
If you are ready to select a covenant name or schedule a naming ceremony, please reach out to Rabbi Diamond or Cantor Shukiar. They will be honored to serve as your guide. Receiving a new name can be a public or private experience, and together we will find the right fit for you.