Celebrating Your Baby’s Birth
Mazel Tov! Welcoming new life is one of Congregation Beth Ora’s greatest joys. Through a Brit Mila or Baby Naming, we celebrate this special moment with you as well as honor new beginnings and the timeless continuity of our faith.
It’s A Boy!
The Brit Mila (circumcision) takes place on the eighth day after birth, marking his entrance into the covenant first established between God and Abraham. The naming is done as part of this ceremony, often held in the home or synagogue.
Parents meet with the Rabbi to discuss the details of the ceremony — including timing, customs, and blessings — ensuring the moment is meaningful and respectful of family tradition.
It’s A Girl!
When a baby girl is born, the family is invited to the synagogue at the next Torah reading — whether on Shabbat, Monday, Thursday, or Rosh Chodesh — where the baby is officially given her Hebrew name in front of the Torah.
This ceremony, called a Simchat Bat (Joy of a Daughter), is an occasion for blessing, joy, and community. The family often sponsors a light kiddush or refreshments to share their simcha (joy) with the congregation.
