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

Blood and Men

By Rabbi Elyse Goldstein | Article

A feminist mom discusses circumcision [more]

Found In: Covenant & Naming Rituals

Tags: circumcision, covenant

Techine for a Brit

By Renee S. Septimus | Prayer

A techine, traditional prayer, to be said by a new mother before the bris of her son [more]

Found In: Covenant & Naming Rituals

Tags: circumcision, covenant, tekhine

Brit Milah for Our Son

By Ilana and Scott Ruskay-Kidd | Complete Ceremony

Traditional Brit Milah with added readings and prayers [more]

Found In: Covenant & Naming Rituals

Tags: circumcision, gomel, naming, priestly blessing, shehekheyanu

New Brit Milah (excerpts)

By Leslie and James Gurland | Complete Ceremony

A brit milah incorporating readings and personal touches [more]

Found In: Covenant & Naming Rituals

Tags: circumcision, covenant, Martin Buber, shehekheyanu

Creative Brit Milah

By Rabbi Jill Hammer | Complete Ceremony

Three ceremonies for a boy's brit milah, with readings and explanations. Includes options for circumcision at the ceremony or not. [more]

Found In: Covenant & Naming Rituals

Tags: circumcision, Elijah, naming

Simchat Ben

By Chaia Beckerman | Complete Ceremony

Phrases from the Bible are used to form an acrostic of the child's name - a tradition in ceremony and prayer - in this welcoming ceremony for an adopted son who has not yet undergone conversion. [more]