Life Cycle Events
Brit Ceremonies – A Brit Milah (Covenant of Circumcision for a boy) and a Berit Bat ceremony (Covenant of Daughter for a girl) are special ways for Jewish parents to express their gratitude and celebrate the new addition of a child to their family. The clergy at Congregation B'Nai Israel are available to advise couples on these ceremonies, which marks the bringing of sons or daughters into the brit, or covenant, of Israel.
Bar and Bat Mitzvah – Few things impact a child’s Jewish awareness and self-confidence more strongly than leading our congregational family in prayer. Formal Hebrew classes begin in the third grade, and in four productive years, our young people gain the knowledge and confidence to celebrate this important life cycle event.
Bar/Bat Mitzvah is actually the celebration of a beginning, as the child starts to take responsibility for his or her own Jewish identity. A Bar/Bat Mitzvah is a joyous event for the family as well as for our entire congregation.
After the Bar/Bat Mitzvah your child can continue with our Hebrew High classes. We see commitment to life-long Jewish education as a goal for all our members.
Kaddish - Thinking of Saying Kaddish For a Loved One or A Friend? Every Saturday morning, between 9:30 a.m. and 9:45 a.m. join us to recite the Kaddish prayer. Whether we are holding a Breakfast Club Discussion or a service, we'll always say a Kaddish within 15 minutes of starting our 9:30 a.m. programs or services. This way you can share in a minyan of 10 other adults who are thoughtfully acknowledging the losses which we all experience in life.
Marriage - The celebration of the beginning of a life together as a couple is an intimate, joyful, and ceremonious occasion. The clergy counsels couples on preparing for their life together and the value of creating a Jewish home.
We also assist couples in shaping the ceremony to express their personal wishes within the framework of a Jewish wedding. As part of the celebration, the couple may be honored at the Shabbat service prior to the wedding with a special blessing before the Torah in the presence of friends, family and congregants.
Conversion – Those interested in converting to Judaism are warmly and enthusiastically welcomed at Congregation B'nai Israel. Interested individuals are encouraged to contact our Rabbi.
Death and Mourning – The Jewish tradition is founded on respect for those who have died and on providing comfort to those who are grieving. Members of Congregation B'nai Israel family are there to comfort, support and provide any necessary guidance to those who are bereaved.
Congregants are encouraged to turn to the Synagogue staff for advice on the practical matters and ritual surrounding the occurrence of death, burial and mourning. Our Rabbi and Cantor are available to officiate at funeral services for Synagogue members and their families, and are also available to guide families through the traditional mourning rituals in the days that follow burial.