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Covenant & Naming Rituals

Historically, Jewish people have formally welcomed boys into the covenant with God, marking the occasion with celebration and circumcision. The birth of a girl was met with joy, but no ritual or communal celebration. We offer a variety of ways to formally welcome both girls and boys. You’ll also find naming rituals and blessings for parents, grandparents and children.

Photo by Jordan Cassway

World of Your Dreams (Andy’s Bar Mitzvah Song)

Lyrics and music by Debbie Friedman, z"l - based on Talmud Berachot 17a | Song

"May you live to see your world fulfilled"—song by Debbie Friedman, z"l - based on Talmud Berachot 17a [more]

Found In: Bar / Bat Mitzvah, Covenant & Naming Rituals, Choosing & Affirming a Jewish Life

Shehehiyanu

By Ruth F. Brin, z”l | Prayer

A modern version in English of the traditional prayer for giving thanks [more]

Found In: Bar / Bat Mitzvah, Covenant & Naming Rituals, Daily Prayer & Mindfulness, Choosing & Affirming a Jewish Life, Endings & Beginnings

Tags: shehekheyanu

How to Incorporate Tzedakah into Your Babynaming

Article

Use your simcha as an opportunity to share your joy with the greater community and to express an important value. [more]

Found In: Covenant & Naming Rituals, Pursuing Justice

Tags: tzedakah

Blessing Children

Prayer

Traditional blessings for children on Friday night using masculine and feminine God-language. Families share their personal practices for blessing children. [more]

Found In: Covenant & Naming Rituals, Friday Evening

Tags: at the shabbat table, Marcia Falk, priestly blessing

Blessing One's Children

From Kolot | Prayer

Alternative blessings to the traditional ones of custom [more]

Found In: Covenant & Naming Rituals, Friday Evening

Tags: at the shabbat table

Contemporary Misheberach

By Rabbi Julie Shoshana Pfau | Prayer

Blessings for growth in modern language for all occasions [more]

Found In: Covenant & Naming Rituals, Daily Prayer & Mindfulness, Saturday, Becoming a Jewish Adult, Gender & Sexual Identity, Choosing & Affirming a Jewish Life

Tags: mi sheberakh

Blessing Loved Ones

By Ellen Dannin | Prayer

Blessing for loved ones (partner, children, guest, etc...) on Shabbat or any occassion. [more]

Found In: Bar / Bat Mitzvah, Covenant & Naming Rituals, Friday Evening, Daily Prayer & Mindfulness, Parenting Day-to-Day

Tags: at the shabbat table

Naming Ceremony for an Adopted Child

Anonymous | Complete Ceremony

A naming ceremony written especially for an adopted child [more]

Found In: Covenant & Naming Rituals

Tags: adoption, covenant, naming, priestly blessing, shehekheyanu

Prayer for an Adopted Child

By Rabbi Sandy Eisenberg Sasso | Prayer

A prayer for the gift of an adopted child in which the baby is welcomed, the parents pledge to create a good and Jewish life for the child and ask God's blessings for the baby's health and well-being. [more]

Found In: Covenant & Naming Rituals, Fertility, Pregnancy & Adoption, Starting a Family, Welcoming & Raising Children

Baby Naming Candle Lighting Blessing

Poem

A candle lighting blessing for use during a baby naming [more]

Found In: Covenant & Naming Rituals

Tags: candle lighting