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 and the covenant 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 recited 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. In subsequent generations, boys are to be circumcised at eight days.
Today, we continue the practice of having a brit milah for boys at eight days old. However, if there is any doubt that circumcision will hurt the infant, the ceremony is postponed. Included in the ceremony is the bestowing of a Hebrew name on 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, 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 Phildelphia area who are ritually and medically trained in the performance of circumcisions. Please contact Rabbi Cooper for recommendations.
Marriage
A Jewish wedding ceremony may be held at TBH-BE with the coordination of Rabbi Neil Cooper, 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 Neil Cooper 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 Neil Cooper, 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.
Contact
Please call Barbara Schwartz at 610.649.5300 or email at bschwartz@tbhbe.org for more information or to arrange your event.
Thu, January 28 2021
15 Shevat 5781
Live Stream
Mitzvot Kallot
UPCOMING EVENTS
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Thursday ,
JanJanuary 28 , 2021
Thursday, Jan 28th 8:45a to 9:30a
Join via zoom -
Thursday ,
JanJanuary 28 , 2021
Thursday, Jan 28th 12:00p
Lunch and Learn Thursday, January 28th | Tu’ Bishvat Seder, the plants of the bible and what they can tell us about our traditions and customs with Jonathan Billig. Jonathan has designed programs, trained teachers, and coordinated departments at The Bronx Botanical Garden, Wave Hill, and New Hampshire’s Mount Monadnock. He holds a Masters of Science from Antioch University, New England, and a b.a. in history from Columbia University. His Jewish journey includes an undergraduate degree from JTS, participation in Aleph's Kesher Fellowship and Romemu's Yeshiva program, and a stint as a Teva educator and farmhand at Isabella Freedman Jewish Retreat Center. He also co-designed and led the “Synagogue In the Woods” program for Temple Beth Shalom, Mahopac and has taught for multiple synagogues, starting with Greenburgh Hebrew Center in Westchester, NY, where he was a student. Wednesday, February 24th | Purim Seuda, the beauty of Iran today, arts, culture and Sephardic delicacies with Shani Feinstein. Thursday, March 25th | What you shouldn’t Pass-over this year at your seder, new innovations, technology and initiatives coming out of the Jewish Community with our Rabbinic Intern Noam Kornsgold -
Friday ,
JanJanuary 29 , 2021
Friday, Jan 29th 9:00a to 10:00a
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Sunday ,
JanJanuary 31 , 2021
Sunday, Jan 31st 11:00a to 12:00p
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Tuesday ,
FebFebruary 2 , 2021
Tuesday, Feb 2nd 9:30a to 11:00a
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Tuesday ,
FebFebruary 2 , 2021
Tuesday, Feb 2nd 11:00a to 12:00p
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Tuesday ,
FebFebruary 2 , 2021
Tuesday, Feb 2nd 4:30p to 6:30p