Lifecycles
Birth
Welcoming a new child into a family and circle of friends is a joyous occasion. Our ceremonies acknowledge the specialness of this occasion with blessings and the conferring of a name for the newborn. This ceremony formally welcomes the child into the Jewish people.
The ceremony for a daughter may be called Zever Ha’bot (gift of a daughter) or Brit B’not (covenant of daughters).
Brit Shalom (covenant of peace) is a term originally created for the welcoming ceremony for boys who were not circumcised. It is now a term that can be used for any newborn regardless of sex or gender.
Brit Milah (covenant of circumcision) is a decision by the parents and is not provided nor required.
B Mitzvah Ceremony
Bar Mitzvah (son of the commandment) or Bat Mitzvah (daughter of the commandment) are Aramaic terms. Ceremonies for this rite of passage began in the Middle Ages for boys and the twentieth century for girls. Cultural Synagogue uses the non-gender term B Mitzvah.
Cultural Synagogue provides B Mitzvah Ceremonies for persons approaching 13 years and over, including adults. Regardless of age, each B Mitzvah prepares a thoughtful presentation on an area of Jewish interest. The presentation is a d’var Torah (a word of Torah) providing a teaching to the community. The B Mitzvah also gives a public statement acknowledging their Jewish heritage.
A general knowledge of Judaism is a necessary requirement prior to a B Mitzvah ceremony. This requirement does not have to been done at Cultural Synagogue. For information on Cultural Synagogue B Mitzvah program, please see Education.
Marriage
Cultural Synagogue marriage ceremonies draw from ancient Jewish rituals including a chuppah (wedding canopy), vows, ring exchange, blessing for the wine, seven blessings, ketubah (marriage contract), and breaking of the glass while updating their meaning for our modern sensibilities. The rabbi and the couple develop a ceremony together that honors the traditions and sentiments of the wedding couple. Cultural Synagogue wedding ceremonies use a humanistic text. Blessings or readings with God-language are at the discretion of the couple.
Funeral & Memorial
Ceremonies for graveside burials (including cremains) and memorials are developed with the mourning family or friends. Humanistic readings and Mourners Kaddish are available.
Cultural Synagogue is a member of the Jewish Cemetery at Riverview (JCRV). A member of our community serves on the JCRV Board of Directors. You may contact Cultural Synagogue or JCRV with questions. Jewish Cemetery at River View | Sacred Ground for Jewish Burial in Portland, Oregon
Adopting Humanistic Judaism
This ceremony is for people not raised Jewish but have found a spiritual home in Humanistic Judaism. The ceremony is developed with the adoptee and may include the conferring of a Hebrew name. The ceremony includes the adoptee making a public statement acknowledging their commitment to Humanistic Judaism. Membership in a Humanistic Jewish community or the Society for Humanistic Judaism is required. Also required is knowledge of the philosophy, practices, and history of Humanistic Judaism. See Education for further information on studies.
Other Ceremonies
Cultural Synagogue develops or otherwise provides ceremonies for important life transitions. One such ceremony is a Naming Ceremony for those who may not have been given a Hebrew name or may have found a more meaningful Hebrew name.
Rabbinic support for these lifecycle ceremonies is included in Cultural Synagogue membership. Rabbinic support can also be arranged privately. Please contact us for more information.