Birth and Naming

BIRTH, BABY NAMING, BRIT MILAH

The rituals of brit and baby naming are ceremonies that welcome and confirm a child’s membership in the covenantal Jewish community.

Traditionally, the brit for boys includes circumcision and is held on the eighth day of life. Some parents choose to have the circumcision in the hospital and the naming ceremony on the eighth day in their home or at a later date in the synagogue.

Baby girls are welcomed into the covenant with a Brit/naming ceremony that can also be held on the eighth day or on another date, usually during the first year of life. Those ceremonies take place at home or in the synagogue.

Temple membership is not required to schedule a baby naming with our clergy and there is a suggested donation to the officiating clergy’s discretionary fund.

Please contact our clergy assistant at (925) 283-8575 or .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) with questions and to ask one of our clergy to participate with you at this important first step in your child’s Jewish life.