Baby Naming & Bris, Bar or Bat Mitzvah, Judica

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Baby naming and Bris

If you're going to one...what to expect...

It is customary for Jewish parents in America to give their children two names - a secular name for everyday use and a Hebrew name for religious purposes. While boys are given their Hebrew names at their bris (see below), girls receive their Hebrew names at a baby naming ceremony, typically during the course of a regular service in a synagogue when the Torah scroll is open. Some families are choosing a less traditional route, holding a naming ceremony and celebration for their newborn daughters in the home. The Jewish baby naming also includes a special blessing giving thanks for a healthy delivery and for the health of the mother. Baby naming ceremonies are typically held within a month or two of the baby’s birth, but the timing is flexible.

A bris is the circumcision ceremony for all Jewish baby boys. It is a happy celebration that brings together family and friends. The bris is performed on the baby’s 8th day (assuming he is in good health) by a Mohel (an individual who has the required training). As part of the bris ceremony, there is the blessing over the bread (challah) followed by a spread of food that typically includes lox and bagels, noodle kugel (casserole), rugelach, cookies and more.

What is an appropriate Jewish gift for a baby naming or bris?

Giving a gift of Judaica (Jewish-themed art or religious objects) that the child will have throughout their life is always nice, as are kosher gift baskets celebrating the addition of a Jewish baby to the world.

Bar or Bat Mitzvah

What is it, and what is the difference between a Bar Mitzvah and a Bat Mitzvah?

A Bar or Bat Mitzvah (plural, B’nai Mitzvah) marks a Coming of Age milestone. It is a ceremony that formally marks the time in life when a child is considered old enough to be responsible for his own actions and to participate fully in religious services. It usually happens when boys are 13 and girls are 12 or 13 (depending upon personal religious observance). Today, the Bar or Bat Mitzvah ceremony is typically followed by a party that may be modest or extravagant with delicious foods, entertainment, and gifts for the b’nai Mitzvah.

Expect a serious religious ceremony where the Bar or Bat Mitzvah child will read or chant from the Torah and be very involved in performing the service. Depending upon the size of the congregation, there may be another, unrelated child being Bar or Bat Mitzvah-ed at the same time.

What is an appropriate Jewish gift?

For the B’nai Mitzvah, giving a gift of Judaica (Jewish-themed art or religious objects) that he/she will have throughout his/her life is always nice. The family of the B’nai Mitzvah will likely be entertaining many out of town family and guests and a kosher gift basket of food would certainly be much appreciated.

What is Judaica?

Judaica describes religious objects for use in celebrating our Jewish holidays or Jewish-themed art. Examples of Judaica are candlesticks (used for Shabbat and other holidays), Kiddush cups (used in the prayer over wine ushering in holidays), and mezzuzot (the beautiful, small prayer cases placed on our doorposts. Judaica makes long-lasting, heartfelt gifts for Jewish friends.

Here are some popular Judaica items:

Mezzuzah: A beautiful, artistic, small case containing Judaism’s most sacred prayer. Perfect for housewarming, wedding, and baby gifts.

Kiddish cup: A special goblet used during the prayer over the wine as we usher in each holiday, from weekly Shabbat to special holidays. Perfect for housewarming, wedding, and Bar/Bat Mitzvah gifts.

Menorah: A 9-branch candelabrum used for Chanukah celebrations. Holds 8 candles plus the shamas (helper candle) which is used to light the others. Perfect for wedding and Chanukah gifts (for people of all ages).

Shabbat candlesticks: A set of candlesticks used to hold the two candles we light to usher in Shabbat weekly. Lighting Shabbat candles is almost always a job reserved for the women of Judaism. Also of interest – Jews NEVER blow out candles, whether Shabbat or Chanukah candles; we let them burn themselves out. Shabbat candlesticks are perfect wedding, housewarming, and Bat Mitzvah gifts for Jewish friends.

Seder plate: Passover is the only Jewish holiday that is primarily celebrated with a service at home (the seder), not at synagogue. The Seder plate is the centerpiece of our home celebration, holding all of the important items used during the service. All seder plates have sections to hold the items, but they can be as varied in design (glass, metal, ceramic, bone china; traditional, classic, contemporary) as their owners. Perfect for engagement, wedding, anniversary, and housewarming gifts for your Jewish friends.

Elijah’s cup: The prophet Elijah is said to visit each seder and we fill a special wine glass and set it on the table for him to drink from when he arrives. Elijah’s cups make a lovely Passover gift.

Miriam’s cup: Miriam's Cup is a new ritual for the Passover seder. Its purpose is to honor the role of Miriam the Prophetess in the Exodus (to whom God gave a miraculous well which accompanied the Hebrews throughout their journey in the desert, providing them with water) and to highlight the contributions of women to Jewish culture, past and present. During the seder, Miriam’s Cup is filled with water poured from each of the water glasses of women at the seder.[1] A Miriam’s cup makes a perfect gift for girls being Bat Mitzvahed or Confirmed, bridal shower, the birth of a daughter, or Passover in a family rich with women.

Yarmulke: The yarmulke (or kippah) is a thin, slightly-rounded skullcap traditionally worn at all times by Orthodox Jewish men and sometimes by both men and women in Conservative and Reform communities during services to show devotion to God.[2] Yarmulkes make a nice gift for the birth of a baby boy, for a B’nai Mitzvah or child being Confirmed, or any Shabbat.

Tallis: The tallis is the prayer shawl worn by (predominantly) men during services. Tallit make wonderful Jewish gifts for B’nai Mitzvot (both boys and girls).

Hamsa: A hand-shaped amulet used for protection by both Jewish and Muslim people, shaped in the form of a symmetrical hand, with thumbs on both sides. The Hamsa is used to ward off the evil eye and can be found on the entrances of homes, in cars, on charm bracelets & chains and more. In Jewish use, Hamsas are often decorated with prayers of a protective fashion. Hamsas make great Jewish gifts for all occasions (birth, B’nai Mitzvot, housewarming, engagements, weddings) and especially for people who are ill or facing surgery .