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Mazel tov on your new arrival!

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In a baby naming ceremony, the officiant and ceremony participants welcome the baby to the world, and bring the newborn into a covenant or B'rit– a sense of being connected to the past and of participating in something whole and sacred, and give the baby a Hebrew name.

 

Ceremonies that celebrate the birth of a daughter and her entry into the covenant of the Jewish people are known by a variety of names, including B'rit bat,  B'rit chayim or a Simchat Bat. They are a wonderful opportunity to celebrate our daughters and are an important part of liberal Judaism's egalitarian approach to Jewish tradition.

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Welcoming ceremonies for daughters may be celebrated in the synagogue or at home. Often, the home, with the sense of warmth it contributes to this joyous occasion, is the most suitable place for B'rit bat.

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The ceremony may be held on the eighth day or at a later time, and may include creative readings and other elements that reflect the hopes and dreams of the parents for their daughter. 

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Choosing a Hebrew Name.

There are no set rules for choosing a name but there are many customs and options.

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The Ashkenazic custom is to name a child after a deceased relative. Whereas, the Sephardic custom is to name a child after a living relative. In either scenario, the child’s name could be the same name as the relative or it could begin with the same letter as the relative’s name.

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Some parents choose to give the child a Hebrew name that in some way corresponds to their English name or a relative's English name.

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The Ceremony

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The rituals of naming include the pledges (promises) of parents and any significant others the parents wish to act as mentors or guides for the baby through childhood and beyond.  There is also the naming ceremony itself in which parents can talk about the naming of the child and the significance of the name and the child in their lives. T

There can be music, readings, stories, special foods, tokens and gifts that can be presented to baby by parents, grandparents and the guests and if desired, the parents can also provide some tokens to the guests as ‘souvenirs’ of this joyous occasion. 

 

Arlene can collaborate with you in creating a wonderful ceremony that fits with your personalities, your family,  and your life circumstances.  She will explain the structure of the basic ceremony and prayers but provide options for parents in terms of what aspects to include in the ceremony and how to conduct it.

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"Our family is so grateful to Arlene for her superb work in leading the naming ceremony for our new addition. When we had some initial challenges finding an officiant that suited our particular needs, Arlene graciously provided her support and went above and beyond to create a ceremony that was organized, meaningful, and personal. She has our highest recommendation!" - A.W. Toronto, June 29, 2017

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