Birth
Bris and Naming Ceremonies
Mazel tov! A new child is the greatest of blessings.
The bris (Brit Milah) and baby naming ceremonies are significant Jewish rituals that welcome a new family member to the community. These ceremonies, which include the circumcision and naming of a baby boy and the naming of a baby girl, are meant to honor the child with a meaningful Hebrew name and solidify their identity within the Jewish community. The ceremony typically includes prayers, blessings, and the naming of the baby, who is brought into the covenant of Abraham with God.
The timing of these ceremonies can vary, with a bris traditionally occurring on the eighth day of life, even if it falls on a Shabbat or holiday.
If you are celebrating a bris, the rabbi can connect you with moehlim (people who perform circumcisions) and provide you with guidance to mark this sacred occasion.
The naming ceremonies can be held at any time and may include additional customs such as a festive meal. Naming ceremonies at Congregation Beth David usually take place during, before, or just after Shabbat services on Friday evenings and Saturday mornings.
The rabbi will meet with families planning a baby naming to answer any questions, discuss your celebration, and help in the selection of a Hebrew name.
Wedding
A Jewish wedding is a rich tapestry of traditions and rituals that reflect a couple's commitment, cultural heritage, and spiritual beliefs. Understanding Jewish traditions can enhance the experience, making the celebration meaningful and memorable. Contact the rabbi, who can help guide you through the process.
Key Elements of a Jewish Wedding
Chuppah: The wedding canopy symbolizes the couple’s new home together. The couple stands under the chuppah during the ceremony, which is often adorned with flowers and greenery. You can also use prayer shawls from the couple’s family as part of the decoration.
Breaking of the Glass: At the end of the ceremony, the groom traditionally breaks a glass, symbolizing the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem and the fragility of relationships. Guests often shout “Mazel Tov!” to celebrate the couple.
Common Traditions
Aufruf: An aufruf is a traditional Jewish ceremony, held before the wedding on at Shabbat morning services (Saturday) when when the couple is called to the Torah for an aliyah.
While many couples choose to have their aufruf the Saturday morning before the wedding, the date can be flexible.
The rabbi can meet with couples to help create a meaningful and personalized Jewish wedding celebration.
Sickness and Healing
Congregation Beth David is available to support members and their families in times of illness and other times of difficulty.
Congregation Beth David’s Caring Committee can help coordinate assistance to members and their families at times of illness or other times of difficulty.
The Mi Sheberach is a central Jewish prayer for healing, and is traditionally recited for individuals who are sick or recovering from illness at both Fridey evening and Shabbat morning services.
Please contact the rabbi if you would like to add a name to the Mi Sheberach prayer list.
Death and Mourning
Congregation Beth David is here to support our members when there has been a death in the family. Please call the rabbi to share memories about your loved ones, to arrange for the rabbi to officiate at the funeral, discuss shiva plans, and provide pastoral care to surviving family members.
The rabbi often speaks with members before a death is imminent to offer spiritual support, suggest funeral homes, advise on issues related to burial, and talk through relevant customs, including the Vidui (the confessional prayer before death).
Local funeral homes:
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- Shalom Memorial Chapel
1100 New London Avenue Cranston, RI 02920
(401) 463-7771 - Sugarman Sinai Memorial Chapel
458 Hope Street Providence, RI 02906
(401) 331-8094
- Shalom Memorial Chapel
Unveiling
Typically, by at least a month after a loved one’s passing family members and friends gather at the cemetery to “unveil” the headstone of the deceased. The rabbi is available to provide you with guidance through this process. Rabbi Adler can also help in the design, wording and ordering a headstone. Headstones can take three to six months to create.
Yahrzeit/Yizkor Services
Yahrzeit (Anniversary of a Death)
Members are encouraged to provide names of loved ones they want read aloud before we recite Kaddish during services. Yahrzeit reminders will be sent to members in advance of the specific service when the yahrzeit is observed. Contact Congregation Beth David at 401- 789- 3437.
Yizkor Services (Remembrance)
A special Yizkor liturgy is a part of Yom Kippur, Simchat Torah/Shmini Atzeret, Passover, and Shavuot services. Please check the synagogue calendar for the dates and times of these services.
We also publish a book of remembrance for Yom Kippur and other Yizkor Services, providing members an opportunity to honor loved ones who have passed.
Shivah
Shivah is the seven-day period of mourning observed by the immediate family of the deceased beginning on the day of the funeral. This period is usually spent at home. A minyan is required to recite Kaddish. Consult the rabbi to assure a minyan is present. While Shivah is often observed for seven days, many families may choose to observe Shivah for a shorter number of days.