Congregation Shearith Israel
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Birth

We are so happy to help you welcome your new baby to the world!  Our rabbis and hazzan are available to work with you  to help you plan a brit or    a Simchat HaBat (baby naming ceremony.)  
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 What is Brit Milah or a Bris?
The word Brit means “Covenant of Circumcision.” To bring your newborn son into the covenant of Israel, the child is given a physical sign of the bond between the Jewish people and God. The sign attests to the everlasting covenant that God established with Abraham and his descendants (Genesis 17). A brit can be performed by any mohel you choose, at home or here at Shearith. A medical circumcision is not considered a brit milah because it is not done with a religious intention or in a spiritual atmosphere.

The brit milah takes place on the eighth day of a healthy baby’s life, regardless of Shabbat or even Yom Kippur. Though it may be postponed in case of a baby who is  weak or ill. In most cases it cannot be rescheduled on holidays or Shabbat. Mornings are customary for the event so the mitzvah is not delayed and guests can attend before going to work.
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Although guests are typically   welcome, the only people actually required are the parents, who are responsible for their son’s brit milah, the baby, the mohel and the sandek, often a grandfather, whose function is to hold the baby. Other ceremonial roles, such as carrying the baby from and back to the mother, may be distributed among family and close friends. As the infant is carried in, everyone should greet him with Baruch HaBa (blessed is the one who comes), after which prayers and readings may be recited before the kiddush is chanted. Then the baby boy  is entered into the covenant, followed by the blessing that he take on the mitzvot of Torah, merit a chuppah and live a life of righteous deeds. Afterwards, the parents or grandparents may wish to speak for a few minutes about the baby’s name. More prayers and readings may be said. Sometimes candles may be lit with accompanying readings or music or you may request a moment of silence for individuals to meditate and pray for their own children, as well as yours.  Ritual can be as simple -- as brief as ten minutes -- or as involved as you like. A member of our Klei Kodesh  can help you  plan the perfect ceremony. 

A busy mohel may need advance notice of the approximate time and day of the simcha, so you might want to call ahead to check availability a week after your due date. 

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What is a   Simchat HaBat 
You may want to have a Simchat HaBat  or a Brit Bat, to formally welcome your daughter into the community. This ceremony can take place at home or at the synagogue. There is not a set time to perform this  ceremony. 

Simchat HaBat essentially means the joy of a daughter. The Aramaic words for Simchat Bat are Zeved Bat which means the gift of a daughter — God gave me a good present. 

Many baby girls are named during Shabbat morning services or any time a minyan is present and we take out the Torah. Some parents choose to hold the ceremony on the eighth day as an egalitarian gesture, while others many wait as long as a few months. At the start of the ceremony, the infant is greeted with Brucha HaBa’a  (blessed is she who enters) after which prayers and readings may be recited before the Kiddush is chanted. Then the baby daughter is entered into the covenant, followed by the blessing that she take on the mitzvot of Torah, merit a chuppah and live a life of righteous deeds. Afterwards, the baby’s name is announced and explained. More prayers and readings may ensue. Sometimes candles may be lit with accompanying readings or music or you may request a moment of silence for individuals to meditate and pray for their own children, as well as yours. Our rabbis can help you personalize your Simchat Bat and make it meaningful to your family.

It’s a Party!
Make a   l’chaim, have some cake and you can call it a party! If you want to sponsor a kiddush luncheon, that’s great. If your simcha takes place at Shearith Israel, we encourage you to be in touch with our Simcha Coordinator to plan your celebration.

And now that you are a family, it’s time to join our
 Family Center!  Please   contact Rabbi Shira Wallach to discuss how we can help you adjust to your new life stage!
© COPYRIGHT 2020. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
  • About
    • Help Wanted
    • Mission, Vision, Core Values
    • Contact Us
    • Our Congregation and History
    • Blog
    • Places >
      • Shul Locations
      • David A. Segal Family Simcha Play Center
      • Shearith Israel Cemeteries
      • Family Room
    • People >
      • Meet our Klei Kodesh
      • Meet our Staff
      • Meet our Lay Leadership
      • Shearith People
    • Communications >
      • The Shofar
      • Our Video Channel
      • Shearith Social Media
      • Evexia
      • Sign up for our emails!
  • Calendar
  • Connect
    • Study Guides >
      • Shabbat Morning Torah Study Guides
      • Thursdays with the Rabbis Study Guides
      • Women's Torah Study Materials
    • Travel to Israel with Shearith
    • Volunteer
    • Get in Touch
    • Groups >
      • 20s and 30s
      • College Connection
      • Shearith Singles 40+
      • Pillars: Hazak Community
      • Shearith Prime
      • Social Action
    • Family Center >
      • Family Center Program and Event Descriptions
      • Tiny Treasures
      • Family Shabbat Retreat
    • The Ladder Project >
      • Donors to The Ladder Project
    • Music at Shearith >
      • Shabbat Musical Experiences
      • Small-Waldman-Cohen Signature Series
      • Hazzan Zhrebker Music
      • Our Shearith Choirs
      • Service From the Heart Album
    • SISterhood >
      • SISterhood Programs and Events
      • Torah Fund
      • SISterhood Gallery Judaica Giftshop
      • SISterhood Board Forms
  • STREAM
  • GiVE
    • Make Your Donation
    • Annual Campaign
    • Shearith Foundation
  • Pray
    • Shabbat and Minyan Times and Liturgy
    • Alternative Prayer Experiences
    • Holidays >
      • High Holy Days
    • Shabbat Musical Experiences
    • Lifecycle >
      • Birth
      • B'nei Mitzvah >
        • Adult B'nei Mitzvah
      • Conversion
      • Wedding
      • End of Life >
        • End of Life Info
        • Shearith Israel Cemeteries
      • Passings/Yahrzeits
      • Shiva Minyan Liturgy
    • Misheberach (Healing)
    • Torah >
      • Torah and Haftarah Readings
      • Holiday Torah and Haftarah Readings
  • Learn
    • The Weitzman Family Religious School >
      • WFRS Registration
      • WFRS Curriculum
      • WFRS K- 7 Calendar
    • B'nei Mitzvah
    • Adult Learning Calendar >
      • Adult Learning Class Descriptions >
        • ScholarStream Classes
    • Kesher (Special Needs) Program
  • Membership
    • Become a Member >
      • Membership Brochure
    • Membership Portal
    • Update Your Membership Portal
    • Membership Directory
  • Foundation
    • Foundation Mission and Trustees
    • Foundation Gifting
    • Legacy Donors
  • The Gallery