Lifecycles

Birthdays, Jewishly | Article

By Lisa Farber Miller and Sandra Widener

An article about the meaning of birthdays in Jewish tradition and how to make birthdays more meaningful, Jewishly

Placenta and Tree Planting | Complete Ceremony

By Yonit Lea Kosovske

This ceremony marks a child's first birthday with the planting of the placenta which nourished the child in utero.

A Prayer When Children Wear New Shoes | Prayer

By Ken Bresler

Turning the mundane into the profound

First Day of School | Article

By Rabbi Rona Shapiro

Various rituals for the first day of school, going back to school, the end of the school year, and playing hookey

First Haircut | Article

Description of the first haircut in Jewish tradition

Tooth-Losing Ceremony | Complete Ceremony

By Shai Cherry Ph.D

To be recited with your child at the moment of tooth loss

Shehehiyanu | Prayer

By Ruth F. Brin, z”l

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