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Welcoming & Raising Children

We greet each child with affection and joy. Every baby comes to us full of promise and potential. As parents, we are privileged to welcome them into our families, our communities and the embrace of the Jewish people. Raising children to adulthood, we encounter many milestones along the way. Children are weaned, lose their teeth, and start school. Some get their driver’s licenses and eventually leave home for good. Here are rituals for welcoming children and for celebrating the milestones on their paths to adulthood.

Photo by Jordan Cassway

Tallit

Some couples wrap the baby in a tallit, perhaps the one used as their chuppah, as a symbol of covenant. Others do so as a symbol of welcome [more]

Found In: Covenant & Naming Rituals

Tags: covenant, tallit

Smelling Fragrant Spices

A symbolization of life, love, and renewal [more]

Found In: Covenant & Naming Rituals

Traditional Blessing for Entering the Baby into the Covenant

With Hebrew, a traditional blessing [more]

Found In: Covenant & Naming Rituals

Tags: covenant

Anointing with Breast Milk

Excerpted from an original babynaming ceremony in which the baby is welcomed into the covenant by anointing her with breast milk. [more]

Found In: Covenant & Naming Rituals

Tags: covenant

A Mother’s Prayer at the Naming of Her Daughter

Celebrating the gift of life through faith, love, and courage [more]

Found In: Covenant & Naming Rituals

Tags: naming

Blessing the New Parents

Blessing to be recited by the officiant to the new parents at the welcoming ceremony [more]

Found In: Covenant & Naming Rituals

Awakening the Senses

A new ritual in which the infant is offered something to stimulate each of her senses [more]

Found In: Covenant & Naming Rituals

Build Me a Daughter

Modern prayer [more]

Found In: Covenant & Naming Rituals

Choosing a Name

Advice on how to choose a name and places to find Jewish names [more]

Found In: Covenant & Naming Rituals

Tags: naming

Discussing the Name

Some ideas for speaking about your child's name at the babynaming ceremony [more]

Found In: Covenant & Naming Rituals

Tags: naming