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Life's Important Moments
For over 5,000 years Jews have prayed to God with one voice. Any Jew can walk into any Synagogue in the world and feel comfortable with familiar prayers. Our Temple is no exception. Our children are educated so that they may appreciate our common dedication to prayer. Click on the links below to see the prayers in Hebrew, transliterated and translated. You will learn about the history of the liturgy and be able to listen to many of them.
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Simhat Bat - Naming of a Baby Girl
Our rabbis will be happy to meet with you either before or after the birth of your child to discuss a ceremony that welcomes your child and honors your family even as it links you and her to the chain of Jewish tradition and people. We can help with resources for Hebrew names, too.
Judaism has devised an elaborate ritual subsequent to the birth of a male child. The requirements of
halakhah and the myriad traditions associated with brit milah provide a rather detailed road map concerning the what, when, who and how aspects of this ritual. Though circumcision does not concern girls, of course, they are no less than boys a part of our covenantal relationship with God. Indeed, when the Almighty commands the patriarch to circumcise himself and then confers the new name of Avraham upon him, Sarah is explicitly mentioned as well: “As for your wife Sarai . . . her name shall be Sarah . . . I will bless her so that she shall give rise to nations; rulers of peoples shall issue from her” (Genesis 17:15-16). As such, a baby girl enters into the covenant of Jewish peoplehood at the time she receives her Hebrew name.
In traditional Ashkenazic circles the father receives an aliyah on the first Torah reading day following the birth of a daughter. At that time a special mish'beyrakh prayer is recited and a Hebrew name conferred upon the baby. Sephardim, on the other hand, name their daughters at a zeved bat, a home ritual which includes the presence of family and friends, special hymns and songs, as well as, a celebratory meal in honor of the event.
The birth of a child is a joyous and religiously significant event regardless of gender. While we need not create a ceremony for girls that copies brit milah, it should be clear that the naming of a daughter is no less important than a brit milah for a son.
The ritual for naming a girl is often referred to as a simhat bat, which literally means “celebration of a daughter.” Inasmuch as Jewish Law has few hard-and-fast requirements regarding the nature of the ceremony, there is ample room for the inclusion of creative readings and rituals depending upon the locale of the event. In the last 25-30 years there has been much development in this area.
by Rabbi Jonathan Lubline
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Brit Milah/Brit Bat
Mazel Tov! Having a baby is surely one of the most profound events in a couple or family's life. At The Temple we are honored to help you welcome your new child int o your family, our congregation and the Jewish People.
Jewish tradition directs us to circumcise our sons on their eighth day of life with a ritual called brit milah, the covenant of circumcision. During that ceremony boys receive their Hebrew names as well. Girls are often named in a ceremony called brit bat, the covenant of a girl, in the home or during one of our Shabbat worship services.
Our rabbis will be happy to meet with you either before or after the birth of your child to discuss a ceremony that welcomes your child and honors your family even as it links you and him/her to the chain of Jewish tradition and people. We can help with resources for Hebrew names, too.
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Consecration
Our new students are welcomed into the community and blessed at a wonderful family celebration called Consecration, which takes place at the Simchat Torah service in the sanctuary.
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Bar/Bat Mitzvah
 
According to Jewish law, when Jewish children reach the age of maturity, 13 years, they become responsible for their actions. At this point a boy is said to become Bar Mitzvah (Hebrew: בר מצוה, "one to whom the commandments apply"); a girl is said to become Bat Mitzvah (בת מצוה, "one to whom the commandments apply").
Before this age, the entire child's responsibility to follow Jewish law and tradition lies with the parents. After this age, the children are privileged to participate in all areas of Jewish community life and bear their own responsibility for Jewish ritual law, tradition, and ethics.
It is common in Jewish culture to celebrate the coming-of-age transition. In popular usage, the terms "Bar Mitzvah" and "Bat Mitzvah" are often mistakenly used to refer to the celebration itself; however the term actually refers to the boy or girl. The event is often misunderstood to be a rite of passage by which a Jewish boy or girl becomes a Jewish adult, but in fact it is merely a celebration of the adulthood that came about automatically by virtue of age. The ceremony itself does not change the status of the celebrant nor does it imbue any additional rights or responsibilities beyond those which were automatically imbued on a boy's or girl’s 13th birthday.
The term Bar Mitzvah (בר מצוה) is typically translated as "man of the commandment", and Bat Mitzvah (בת מצוה) as "daughter of the commandment". In Biblical Hebrew, however, the word "bar" or "bat" (the latter pronounced "bas" in Ashkenazi Hebrew) could also mean "subject to," e.g., a particular tax, penalty, or obligation; therefore a more accurate translation of the term may actually be "subject to commandment." The plural form term for people of obligation is B'nai Mitzvah.
The Temple emphasizes Bar/Bat Mitzvah for its educational and spiritual values in the life of a young person and his or her family, but we recognized that it is only a symbolic step along the Jewish way of life and learning. Study is the process of preparing for the ceremony, but it cannot end at age thirteen. Study is a goal of Jewish living. Thus, we expect every Bar/Bar Mitzvah student to continue in Hebrew studies---at least until the end of the school year during which the ceremony occurs---and to continue in the Religious School through Confirmation and hopefully beyond, in our Post-Confirmation program.
The clergy and staff at the Temple work compassionately and patiently to ensure that this simcha is a fulfilling and enriching one for the student and his or her family and friends. To assist you as you begin this journey, we provide our congregants with a booklet to answer many of the common questions that arise as you begin your process of planning and learning. We are here to support you.
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Confirmation
 Confirmation has a long and beautiful history at The Temple, dating back to the congregation's earliest years when Reform congregations created Confirmation to replace Bar Mitzvah, thus providing students a full Jewish education. Modern Confirmation services, held at the end of a student's tenth grade year, honor and reflect our traditions even as they allow for the creative expression of the members of each class.
The school year is spent studying Jewish identity, Reform Jewish theology and history and how the Torah is relevant to their lives. The year culminates with a beautiful Confirmation service on Shavuot created by the rabbis and students. Following Confirmation the class, led by the Rabbi, takes an fun and educational trip to New York City .
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Weddings
Mazel Tov! Whether you are engaged, or thinking about formalizing your relationship with your partner, planning a wedding can be one of the most exciting times in your life. It can also be fraught with questions. Our rabbis hope to ease this process for you.
We are here to help you plan your ceremony, answer your questions, and talk with you about your future as a couple. We look forward to celebrating with you and your families as well. One of our goals as a congregation is to welcome all couples who wish to be connected to the Jewish community.
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Divorce
While unfortunate, and often unpleasant to contemplate, sometimes marriages must be dissolved. Jewish tradition has long recognized and accepted this reality. The rabbis at The Temple are here to help you through this difficult transition. We will keep your inquiries confidential and provide a compassionate and non-judgmental ear. If you are interested in obtaining or giving a get, (the traditional Jewish divorce decree) we can direct you to the appropriate resources.
Click Here to make arrangements to speak with a Rabbi.
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Illness & Hospitalization
 Bikur cholim, visiting the sick, is an important Jewish tradition. We take this mitzvah very seriously at The Temple, and while our rabbis would like to visit you or a loved one who is ill, we respect your right to privacy.
Please be in touch with our rabbinic office to report a hospitalization or an illness, and we will respond in accordance with the patient's and the family's wishes.
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Grief & Mourning
End-of-life issues are often some of our most difficult challenges. When someone you love has died, we hope to bring you the comfort and strength of our Jewish traditions. Working closely with area funeral homes, the rabbis at The Tem ple can provide you with the resources you need.
Following a funeral it is customary to sit shiva. While not mandatory, many families find that being home, in the presence of loved ones and caring friends, brings tremendous comfort. One of our rabbis will be honored to officiate at the funeral of your loved one or to arrange for a shiva.
Yahrzeit
The Temple office also will send reminders about upcoming Yahrzeit dates to remember your loved ones at Shabbat services.
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Conversion
Conversion to Judaism is a path that requires both personal commitment and an extended period of study. Our rabbis are available to counsel and/or teach potential converts. Contact Rabbi Mackler: (615-352-7620)
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