Life Cycle Rituals

There is no greater joy than welcoming a bright new light into your life. When a child is born, we have the great blessing of giving that child a name which is itself a blessing of who we hope they will become and of all the goodness we hope will fill their life. There are many rituals that we use to bless a new baby and welcome them into the covenant. If you are expecting a little one, please let us know.

We celebrate our children as they begin to emerge into adulthood through the bnei mitzvah process. Our children learn Jewish traditions, practice reading and reciting Torah and wisdom literature, study texts and share their own wisdom, and take their place on the stage of Jewish life. We want our children to love being Jewish, to feel empowered to continue their learning, and to begin assembling the Jewish toolkit that they will need for life.

When you find your bashert, the person with whom you want to journey through life, Judaism teaches that it is a time to celebrate. It’s a time to gather the people that you love, who know you best and will be there for you throughout life. It’s a time to clarify your intentions—what are you goals as a couple? What do you hope to accomplish together?

At Temple Emanuel we see the process of giving/receiving a Get as an opportunity to hold sacred space for a couple to mark in a meaningful ritual moment not only their separation, but the beginning of a new chapter in each of their lives.

When we are facing a serious diagnosis or living with chronic pain or illness, Judaism has wisdom to share with us. Our tradition offers prayers and meditations that can help us to navigate our health challenges and to channel our worry and anxiety into prayer and connection. If you are dealing with a health challenge, please let us know. We will be honored to offer a Mishebeirach, a prayer for healing, for you and would love to walk with you as you journey towards healing and strength.

Few of us are prepared for the death of a loved one, but it is a reality with which we each must learn to cope. Temple Emanuel’s Bereavement Committee provides bereaved families with a pamphlet, A Time to Mourn, which outlines the Jewish approach to death and mourning. Copies are available at Temple Emanuel’s Blum Executive Office or online.