Brit Milah
The Torah commands us to circumcise boys on their eighth day of life. This powerful ceremony celebrates new life, while welcoming the baby into the Jewish covenant. The ceremony can take place in your home, the temple, or in special circumstances, in a medical facility. Rabbi Schaktman can put you in touch with a Mohel (ritual circumciser), and co-officiate a ceremony filled with blessings and joy.
Baby Naming/Simchat Bat
We celebrate the birth of a baby girl with a Simchat Bat, or baby naming. We will welcome the baby into the Jewish covenant in a ceremony in which she will receive her Hebrew name, and blessings from family, friends, and the community. This ceremony can take place in the home, the synagogue on Shabbat, or another day of the week.
Bar/Bat Mitzvah
Becoming a Bar/Bat Mitzvah is a truly momentous occasion in a young adult’s life. They are becoming a son or a daughter of the commandments, committing themselves to be active and knowledgeable members of the Temple community.
Wedding
Rabbi Schaktman would be delighted to speak with you about this exciting occasion. He teaches couples about the meaning of the ceremony, and personalizes it for each individual couple. He also counsels couples, offering Jewish wisdom in preparation for a life dedicated to love and companionship. He is proud to perform ceremonies for gay and straight couples.
Funeral
Judaism has many meaningful and comforting end of life rituals, from kriah (tearing a garment) to a funeral with a eulogy, to the days of shiva, to unveilings on the anniversary of a loved one’s death. The temple community wants to be there for you at this challenging time. Rabbi Schaktman can perform the funeral ceremony, and help you to understand and implement other meaningful Jewish mourning rituals.