Life Cycle Information
Birth
Baby Naming
Since Jewish boys are brought into the covenant of the Jewish people through the rite of Brit Milah, a few decades ago rabbis began to create ceremonies for entering Jewish girls into the People of Israel. Some have a Brit or Brit Habat, a ceremony in the home that is akin to a Bris but without any medical procedure. Others have a baby naming in the synagogue on a Friday night during services. We are happy to help you by bringing your child up to the pulpit during a service and having our rabbis and cantors bless your baby and you. You can call our temple office to schedule a date.
Sometimes people choose to bring their sons for a public baby naming too.
Brit Milah
A Brit Milah is the ritual circumcision of a Jewish Male on the 8th day following his birth. Despite some recent trends on the American scene to leave baby boys uncircumcised, circumcision remains a requirement for male Jewish identity even within the Reform Movement, the most liberal of the branches of American Judaism. Not only is it considered healthier, but it is the statement of identity for a Jewish boy. By giving their son a Brit Milah, parents affirm their son’s entrance into the Jewish People and the covenant between that child and God.
One does not need a rabbi or cantor at a Brit Milah. Rather, a mohel is the Jewish professional conducts the service and performs the circumcision. There are many Reform mohalim who are physicians, usually urologists or OB-Gyns. We are happy to help parents find competent and compassionate mohalim/mohalot to officiate. Just call the temple office.
B'nai Mitzvah
Temple Judea is known for its extraordinary Bar and Bat Mitzvahs. At the age of 13 a Jewish child becomes a Bar or Bat Mitzvah, a son or daughter of the commandments. Now responsible for their own ritual and ethical behavior, the child and family celebrate this milestone by coming to Torah and helping to lead services. At Temple Judea this is a warm and joyful and meaningful experience. Students need to begin their formal studies 4 years in advance, at our wonderful religious school or at another synagogue. One can find a date for the ceremony as far as 3 years before the celebrations. Within 1 year of the Bar and Bat Mitzvah students begin their studies of prayers and they start to learn their Torah and Haftarah sections. A cantor or professional Bar/Bat Mitzvah teacher from Temple Judea will train your child. It's a great joy.
Marriage
The sacred bond between committed partners is a treasured cornerstone of Jewish community life. Here at Temple Judea you can find a Rabbi, Cantor or both to officiate at your wedding. Some of our clergy officiate at intermarriages under certain circumstances. Many of them are also happy to officiate at gay and lesbian weddings. Our Rabbis and Cantors cherish the bonds they establish with the couples that they marry. As a mazel tov, Temple Judea offers a year of free membership to newlyweds that are married by one of our clergy. If you wish to have an aufruf, a special blessing on the Friday night Shabbat Service preceding your wedding, call the temple office and it will be arranged.
Death
Partnership with Mt. Sinai Memorial Park in Simi Valley
Temple Judea has again entered into a relationship with the Mt. Sinai Memorial Park in Simi Valley. Through Temple Judea, you can purchase superior cemetery plots at very advantageous prices. In doing so, you protect your loved ones and you help our congregation at the same time. The process is not unpleasant, morbid, or complicated. There will come a time….and when that time comes, we don't want our loved ones struggling with unnecessary financial and emotional burdens. It's a good investment in the well-being of our families to buy our plots now.
Please contact Temple Judea members and Mt Sinai Mortuary representatives Eric Frank (323) 769-1378 or Rick Kaiserman (323) 769-1309 to setup a conversation about making arrangements. For more information and a video about Mt Sinai Simi Valley click here.
As a tradition and a people, we love and revere life. It is an expression of that love of life, as well as the love we hold for our dear ones, that we make adequate preparations.