Lifecycles

On Bringing a Child Home for the First Time | Prayer

By Rabbi Sandy Eisenberg Sasso

A prayer to be said when bringing a baby home from the hospital or bringing an adopted child home for the first time

Build Me a Daughter | Prayer

Modern prayer

We Dedicate Our Child to Torah... | Prayer

A modern prayer

From Our Foremothers | Prayer

Modern prayer invoking the foremothers

With All My Heart | Poem

By Rabbi Maggie Wenig, adapted from the poem by Rabbi Judy Shanks

A mother's prayer for the health and well-being of her new baby and the wisdom to raise her

Birkat ha-Gomel | Prayer

Traditional prayer of thanks for a mother after delivering a child

Blessing: Gomel | Ritual Component

From the Itim Institute

Recited by the mother for the safe childbirth

Gifts for our Daughter | Ritual Component

Ideas for ritual gifts to bestow upon an infant girl and words with which to present them

A Prayer for a Special Candle Lighting | Prayer

By Rabbi Fred V. Davidow and Rabbi David Fass

"There is a new light in our hearts and in our home..."

Traditional Parental Blessing | Prayer

This blessing is traditionally used every Friday evening by parents when blessing their children.

Parental Prayer | Prayer

Traditional prayer for parents to say over a new baby in Hebrew and English

The Parents' Blessing | Ritual Component

From the Itim Institute

The traditional priestly blessing for a congregation, directed to the newborn

Blessings by Siblings or Grandparents | Ritual Component

From the Itim Institute

Optional blessings to be recited by each or all

A Grandparent's Prayer | Prayer

By Ruth Heiges

A blessing of gratitude

Bring Me Good Guarantors | Prayer

from Shir HaShirim Rabba 1:24

A reading based on a traditional text in which God withholds the Torah from the Jews until they can offer good guarantors. God rejects the ancestors and the prophets, but accepts the children as good guarantors. Can be said by grandparents.

Blessing the New Parents | Ritual Component

By Alissa Wise

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