Lifecycle Events
Brit Milah
The Torah commands us to circumcise our newborn sons on the eighth day of their new lives. This powerful ceremony celebrates new life, and also brings our sons into Judaism’s sacred covenant. Rabbi Paley can put you in touch with a Mohel (ritual circumciser), help the parents understand the ceremony, and co-officiate with the Mohel.
Baby Naming/Simchat Bat
We celebrate the great blessing of a newborn daughter with a ceremony that brings her into the covenant and confers upon her a Hebrew name. Rabbi Paley can help you think through and design this ceremony, which can take place either at home, or at the synagogue on a Shabbat, or any day the Torah is read (Monday, Thursday, Festivals, Rosh Chodesh).
B'nai Mitzvah Program
Becoming a Bar or Bat at Temple Shalom is a powerful and important moment in the life of our families. It is a moment to celebrate the welcoming of a student into a new chapter of their Jewish life. At Temple Shalom we believe that a student becomes a Bar or Bat Mitzvah, earning this significant title, as a result of their willingness to engage with Jewish prayer, with Torah and with study and to try to do things Jewish a new and significant way. We encourage each student to work to their unique abilities as they reach this important milestone along their Jewish journey.
Marriage
We can help you prepare for this wonderful, joyous occasion, by teaching bride and groom the meaning of the ceremony, from Kiddushin (engagement) to Ketubah (marriage document) to Chuppah (marriage canopy) to Nissuin (marriage ceremony) to breaking the glass. Rabbi Paley offers counseling, providing Jewish wisdom in preparation for a life dedicated to love and companionship. Rabbi Paley performs interfaith marriages as well as marriages between same-sex couples, and will work with you in designing your unique ceremony.
Death
Our tradition offers several powerful end of life rituals: Kriah (tearing of a garment), Tehara (ritual cleansing and dressing of the deceased), Levayah (funeral procession), Hesped (eulogy), Kevurah (burial) and Shiva (three-seven days of mourning). Rabbi Paley will instruct you on these and other rituals. He can also perform the funeral or memorial service, and help you understand and implement other meaningful Jewish mourning practices.