COMMON LIFECYCLE OBSERVANCES

Brit Milah

The Torah commands us to circumcise our newborn sons on the eighth day of their new lives. This powerful ceremony celebrates life and also brings our sons into Judaism’s sacred covenant. Rabbi Rigler or Cantor Marx can put you in touch with a mohel (ritual circumciser), guide you through the ceremony, and co-officiate along with the Mohel.

Baby Naming/Simchat Bat

We celebrate the great blessing of a newborn daughter with a ceremony that brings her into the covenant, and confers upon her a Hebrew name.  Our clergy can help you think through and design this ceremony, which can take place either at home, or at the synagogue.

Bar/Bat Mitzvah

 

Bar/Bat Mitzvah students are moving from childhood to adulthood and learning what it means to be responsible for one’s actions and for the wider world. If you have questions about Temple Sholom’s b’nei mitzvah program, please reach out to Cantor Marx.

Wedding

Rabbi Rigler or Cantor Marx can help you prepare for this wonderful, joyous occasion! Both of our clergy offer preparation and officiation to our members, and happily officiate for interfaith and same-sex couples.

Funeral

Our tradition offers several powerful end of life rituals – kriyah (tearing of a garment), chesped (eulogy), k’vurah (burial) and shivah (the seven days of mourning). Rabbi Rigler or Cantor Marx can guide you through these and other rituals.  They are available to officiate a funeral and lead shiva minyan services for members.

COMMEMORATION OF LIFECYCLE EVENTS

Sponsoring an Oneg

One lovely way to commemorate your lifecycle event is to sponsor an oneg. Oneg literally translates as “Shabbat joy,” and refers to the food and drink that we share as a community immediately following Shabbat evening services. Oneg sponsorship forms are available in the Temple office.

Memorial Plaque

Temple Sholom families commemorate the passing of loved ones with a memorial plaque that is placed on the wall of our sanctuary as a sacred remembrance. Forms for the purchase of memorial plaques are available in the Temple office.

Donations to Clergy Discretionary or Other Temple Funds

Another way to commemorate a lifecycle event, and to support our Temple Sholom community at the same time, is to donate to a Temple fund in honor of or in memory of a loved one. There are many Temple funds listed on our Donate page, including the Rabbi’s and Cantor’s Discretionary Funds. Any amount is deeply appreciated.

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