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New Baby: Brit Milah & Baby Naming
Welcoming Your New Baby
Your Baby Boy: A Brit Milah
Brit Milah literally means "covenant of circumcision." It is a symbol of the everlasting covenant between God and the Jewish people, as stated by God to Abraham (Genesis, 17:10): This is My covenant which you are to keep, between Me and you and your seed after you: every male among you shall be circumcised. You shall circumcise the flesh of your foreskin, so that it may serve as a sign of the covenant between Me and you.
When does the Brit Milah happen?
The Brit Milah is performed on the eighth day after the birth of a male child (it can be postponed for health reasons). In calculating the date, remember that the Jewish “day” starts at sundown; for example, a child born on Monday after sundown would have a Brit Milah on the following Tuesday.
How do I arrange a Brit Milah?
To arrange a Brit Milah, contact the Temple office and ask to speak to our rabbis. The rabbi will meet with the family, either in person or by phone, to discuss the details of the ceremony, which can take place at the synagogue or at home.
We have a list of approved mohalim (individuals trained to perform circumcisions). We also ask you to fill out a special form to make sure both the rabbi and the mohel have the information they need. Please return the form to the rabbi, who will work with you to set a time for the ceremony.
Celebrations for Interfaith Families
If the child is born to a Jewish father and a non-Jewish mother who are committed to raising their child in the Jewish tradition, Brit Milah can take place on the eighth day with the intention of converting the child at the mikveh (ritual bath) at approximately three months of age. If the child is born to a Jewish mother and non-Jewish father, Brit Milah takes place on the eighth day and no conversion is necessary. In both of these cases the non-Jewish parent, grandparents and relatives are welcome to participate in the ceremony. Please consult with our rabbis for details.
If the child will not be converted, but Jewish grandparents wish to offer him a private ceremony of welcome into the Jewish people, please contact our rabbis.
For what to expect at a bris, check out this article.
For more information, please call our Executive Director at (860) 233-9696.
Your Baby Girl: A Simchat Bat
Traditionally, the birth of a baby girl is celebrated in a Simchat Bat, which means “rejoicing in a daughter.” Most often, the parents of the child receive an aliyah (Torah honor) in the synagogue on a Shabbat morning; the ceremony can also take place when the Torah is read on a Monday, Thursday or Rosh Chodesh (new month). A more intimate baby naming ceremony at the synagogue or in your home is also an option. This is called a Simchat Bat, which means "rejoicing in a daughter."
How Do I Arrange a Simchat Bat?
To arrange a baby naming, contact the Temple office and ask to speak to our rabbis. The rabbi will meet with the family, either in person or by phone, to discuss the details of the baby naming. You will be asked to fill out an informational form and the rabbi will coordinate with you to set a time.
Celebrations for Interfaith Families
If the child is born to a Jewish father and non-Jewish mother who are committed to raising their child in the Jewish tradition, the family should wait to schedule a baby naming until the child is converted at the mikveh (ritual bath) any time after three months of age. If the child is born to a Jewish mother and non-Jewish father, the baby naming can take place at any time and no conversion is necessary. In both of these cases the non-Jewish parent, grandparents and relatives are welcome to participate in the ceremony. Please consult with our rabbis for details.
If the child will not be converted, but Jewish grandparents wish to offer her a private ceremony of welcome into the Jewish people, please contact our rabbis.
For what to expect at a baby naming, check out this article.
For more information, or to arrange a Kiddush in celebration of the baby naming, please call our Executive Director at (860) 233-9696.
Forms:
Fri, February 26 2021
14 Adar 5781
Upcoming Events
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Wednesday ,
MarMarch 3 , 2021America's Jewish Women: An Evening with Pamela Nadell
Wednesday, Mar 3rd 8:00p to 9:00p
Professor Pamela Nadell will celebrate Women’s History Month with us and share insights from her recent book, "America’s Jewish Women: A History from Colonial Times to Today," which won the 2019 National Jewish Book Award—Everett Family Foundation Jewish Book of the Year. Weaving together stories from the colonial era to the present, Nadell shows two threads binding the nation's Jewish women: a strong sense of self and a resolute commitment to making the world a better place. Nadell holds the Patrick Clendenen Chair in Women's and Gender History at American University where she directs the Jewish Studies Program and received the university's highest award, Scholar/Teacher of the Year. Click here to register! -
Sunday ,
MarMarch 7 , 2021Pre-Passover Wine Event
Sunday, Mar 7th 1:00p to 2:00p
Beth El Temple of West Hartford, alongside BSBI of Manchester, CT, and Temple Emeth of Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts, invite you to enjoy a beautiful tour of Tulip Winery, live from Israel at sunset! Three wines are included in the tasting, guided by Tulip's winemaker! Plus, order additional wines at SkyviewWine.com and use promo code BethEl for free shipping! Pick up your personal wine order at Beth El when you pick up your tasting wines! Plus, Skyview Wine will donate 5% of sales to Beth El Temple. Wines must be ordered by Wednesday, February 24 at 12pm. We cannot accept orders after the deadline, but you may register for the wine tour until Sunday, March 7 at 12pm. -
Monday ,
MarMarch 8 , 2021Musical Chat with Cantor Joseph Ness
Monday, Mar 8th 1:00p to 2:00p
Cantor Ness is back with this very popular class, but instead of weekly, we'll meet twice a month. Cantor leads a discussion on various aspects of Jewish music, both culturally and liturgically; a link to the music will be provided before class. For access details, please contact Lydia Lutt (marketing@bethelwh.org). -
Wednesday ,
MarMarch 10 , 2021An Hour of Captivating Music with David Stoltz
Wednesday, Mar 10th 12:00p to 1:00p
Internationally-acclaimed bass and acoustic guitarist David Stoltz will enchant you with his eclectic mix of jazz, blues, classic rock, Broadway, Israeli music and more. His solos and duets with LeeAnn Lovelace will delight you, and to make the concert even more special, he will play a few Israeli songs with Beth El’s Cantor Joseph Ness. This event has something for everyone! -
Sunday ,
MarMarch 14 , 2021Representing Israel in Tough Places
Sunday, Mar 14th 11:00a to 12:00p
Beth El Temple Men's Club & Israel Engagement Committee invite you to a session with Israel Ambassador Arthur Lenk, discussing "Representing Israel in Tough Places."