Your Baby Boy: A Brit Milah
Brit Milah (covenant of circumcision) 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 birth. Remember that the Jewish “day” starts at sundown; for example, a boy born on Monday after sundown would have a Brit Milah on the following Tuesday. The Brit Milah can be postponed for health reasons.
How do I arrange a Brit Milah?
Contact the synagogue office (515-255-1137). 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.
Special Considerations 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 either case, the non-Jewish parent, grandparents, and relatives are welcome to participate in the ceremony.
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 the synagogue office.
Your Baby Girl: A Simchat Bat
Traditionally, the birth of a baby girl is celebrated in a Simchat Bat (rejoicing in a daughter). The parents usually receive an aliyah (Torah honor) in the synagogue on a Shabbat morning, although 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 is also an option, at the synagogue or in your home.
How do I arrange a Simchat Bat?
Contact the synagogue office at 515-255-1137. The rabbi will meet with the family, either in person or by phone, to discuss the details of the baby naming.
Special Considerations 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 either case, the non-Jewish parent, grandparents, and relatives are welcome to participate in the ceremony.
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 the synagogue office.
For more information, or to arrange a Kiddush in celebration of the baby naming or brit milah, please call the synagogue office at 515-255-1137.