Lifecycles | Temple Judea

Birth

A B'rit Milah is the ritual circumcision of a Jewish male on the 8th day following his birth. Circumcision remains a requirement for male Jewish identity, even within the Reform Movement. One does not need a rabbi or cantor at a B'rit Milah. Rather, a mohel is the Jewish professional who conducts the service and performs the circumcision. However, we are happy to help you find competent and compassionate mohalim/mohalot to officiate. While Jewish boys are brought into the covenant of the Jewish people through the rite of B'rit Milah, Jewish girls are brought into the covenant with a baby naming and B'rit Bat "covenant of daughter" or B'rit Chaim "covenant of life." Welcoming ceremonies for daughters may be celebrated at home or in the synagogue. We are happy to officiate at your ceremony or invite you and your child up to the pulpit during a Friday evening Erev Shabbat service for a blessing. Contact our Executive Assistant to the Rabbis at 818.758.3800 x209 or click on the contact us button below to inquire about how Temple Judea can help you celebrate the arrival of your newest family member.

B'nei Mitzvah

At Temple Judea the journey to become a B'nei Mitzvah is a warm, joyful, and meaningful experience. Traditionally, a Jewish child becomes responsible for their ethical actions and mitzvot at the age of 13. Today, the ritual of B'nei Mitzvah honors this milestone by gathering the community to witness your child's success at demonstrating mastery of various aspects of Jewish life -- including leading a Shabbat service and chanting Torah, community service, and teaching Torah. Formal Religious School and Hebrew language studies begin four years in advance of the B'nei Mitzvah and give students the opportunity to level-up their Jewish knowledge and skills in preparation for their special event. One year before the Bar or Bat Mitzvah, students will join our Beit Midrash program, which focuses on prayers and chanting the Torah and Haftarah sections. Six months before the event, B'nei Mitzvah candidates will also learn and prepare to teach Torah at their B'nei Mitzvah service through meetings with clergy. For more details on our B'nei Mitzvah program and event planning, click the button below.

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Confirmation

Confirmation is a key focal point of our teen education program, consisting of community building, in-depth learning with Temple Judea clergy, and trip-based experiences. We understand that living a Jewish life is a choice. Confirmation affirms your desire to explore what an adult life full of Jewish choices might look like.

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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. Our clergy officiate at intermarriages and LGBTQ+ weddings. Our Rabbis and Cantors cherish the bonds they establish with the couples that they marry. As a mazal tov, Temple Judea offers a year of free membership to newlyweds who are married by one of our clergy. If you wish to have an Aufruf, a special blessing on a Friday night Shabbat Service preceding your wedding, that can also be arranged. If you’re interested in exploring wedding options with Temple Judea, contact us at 818.758.3800 x209 or click the button below.

Jewish Milestones & Pastoral Support

Judaism can be measured in simple practices: faith, study, prayer, kindness towards others, and the observance of the commandments laid out in the Torah. Milestones in Judaism can be seen over one’s lifetime (birth and death), over the course of a year (the High Holy Days and Festivals), or the course of a week (Shabbat). Yet even on a daily basis, Judaism encourages us to honor the smallest of milestones. We mark the gift of morning with Modeh Ani and the milestone of evening with Hashkiveinu. And there are so many other moments that, through spiritual practice, Jews are encouraged to notice, appreciate, and mark. Our clergy team is dedicated to honoring these special moments with our community - whether through formal programs or informal meetings. To reach our clergy for pastoral support, call 818.758.3800 or click the button below.

Celebration of Life

Temple Judea clergy and staff are here for you at this difficult time. Please notify the temple office at 818.758.3800 as soon as a loss occurs so we can be of assistance in your time of need. If it is after hours, or on a holiday or a weekend, make sure to leave a message with our answering service so they can contact our clergy for you. Yizkor is said four times a year at Yom Kippur, Passover, Shavuot and Sukkot. We encourage you to join with your community as we remember our loved ones.

Providing compassionate lifecycle support to our members is holy work.