Life Cycle Events
Life Cycle Events
Jewish Life Cycle Events are a subset of rituals generally, which communicate and strengthen group values and norms, promote family and group bonds, and provides public expressions for personal life passages.
From the moment we are born to the moment our lives end (and even in the days and months in which others anticipate and mourn our days and our deaths), Jewish traditions-ancient and evolving-provide ritual and ceremony, grounding the journey of human life and placing it in the content of covenant, belief, and history.
Here at Temple Beth Hillel-Beth El we join together during important events in the lives of our congregants.
Welcoming a Child
Welcoming an infant girl into Judaism
The birth of a girl is celebrated and welcomed into the Jewish community by having the baby and her parents come to the Torah for an aliyah shortly after her birth.
After the aliyah, a short prayer is said and the girl’s Hebrew name is announced.
Brit Milah
Brit Milah, according to Genesis, is the oldest ritual in Judaism. In Genesis 17, God commands Abraham to circumcise himself and his entire household as a sign of the covenant between God and Abraham.
Today, we continue the practice of having a brit milah for boys at eight days old. Included in the ceremony is the Hebrew naming of the child. The child is now a member of Jewish people and deserves to be called by a Hebrew name.
If the child is healthy, (if there is any doubt that circumcision will hurt the baby, the ceremony is postponed.) the brit should take place on the eighth day regardless of what day it is including Shabbat and holidays.
There are many qualified mohelim in the Philadelphia area who are ritually and medically trained in performing circumcisions.
For recommendations please contact Rabbi Witkovsky.
Marriage
A Jewish wedding ceremony may be held at TBH-BE with the coordination of Rabbi Ethan Witkovsky, Hazzan Eugene Rosner, and Barbara Schwartz, Facilities Director. A wedding may be held in the Sanctuary or Holocaust Memorial Chapel under our beautiful chuppah, hand-embroidered by members of the synagogue.
Aufruf
An Aufruf is a pre-wedding Jewish custom for the bride and groom to be blessed with an aliyah, being called up to the Torah, during Shabbat services in the main sanctuary prior to their wedding.
Please contact Rabbi Ethan Witkovsky with any questions or to arrange the date for an Aufruf.
Wedding Ceremony
A Jewish wedding ceremony can be held at TBH-BE with the coordination of Rabbi Ethan Witkovsky, Hazzan Eugene Rosner and Barbara Schwartz, Facilities Director. A wedding can be held in the sanctuary or Holocaust Memorial Chapel under our beautiful chuppah, hand-embroidered by members of the synagogue.
Wedding Celebration
Temple Beth Hillel-Beth El is an attractive location at which to host your wedding and celebration.
Funeral and Shiva
Our clergy will work with you to ensure that your funeral and shiva are as simple a process as possible. The clergy will work with the Funeral Home on the major arrangements. Our Hesed Network is there to provide added support during this time.
Please contact Barbara Schwartz for more information or to arrange your event.
Phone | 610.649.5300
Email | bschwartz@tbhbe.org
Wed, February 8 2023
17 Shevat 5783
UPCOMING EVENTS
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Wednesday ,
FebFebruary 8 , 2023
Wednesday, Feb 8th 9:00a to 10:00a
A Talmud class for everyone, if you have never learned Jewish text before or have a doctorate in Rabbinics all are welcome and will find something interesting. We will look at the 2nd chapter of the Talmudic tractate Chagigah where the rabbis discuss what should and shouldn’t be taught and tell some stories of a rabbi who went bad. -
Wednesday ,
FebFebruary 8 , 2023
Wednesday, Feb 8th 1:00p to 2:00p
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Friday ,
FebFebruary 10 , 2023
Friday, Feb 10th 11:00a to 12:00p
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Saturday ,
FebFebruary 11 , 2023
Shabbat, Feb 11th 4:00p to 5:00p
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Sunday ,
FebFebruary 12 , 2023
Sunday, Feb 12th 9:00a to 10:00a
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Sunday ,
FebFebruary 12 , 2023
Sunday, Feb 12th 9:00a to 9:45a
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Sunday ,
FebFebruary 12 , 2023
Sunday, Feb 12th 11:00a to 1:00p