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Baby Naming
A name is a very
special thing. It represents the past, present and the
future. The past is reprsented because in Jewish Custom we
usually name the child after a family member who is no longer with us
so we could have their memory continued. The present is
represeted because we are first meeting this child. But it also
represents the future, our hope and aspirations for this new
creature. There are two types of baby naming
ceremonies. One is done at a synogogue followed by a
kiddush. These traditional synagogue namings for the baby girl
are often followed by a "kiddush". Different people may speak during
this kiddush. Most likely they would express gratitude for health and
healthy delivery, and explain the name(s) selected for the baby, in
Hebrew and also in English.
Today, many families
are having less traditional, more creative, baby
naming ceremonies for their newborn daughters in their homes. These
ceremonies tend to be more similar to the bris or brit milah
(circumcision ceremony) of the baby boy, which often takes place in the
parents' home. These ceremonies are often less formal than the
traditional synagogue naming ceremonies. At the naming in the home,
relatives, including grandparents, may be invited to say a few words.
Again, your wishes for the parents and their new baby would be
appropriate. The Jewish Family Center is available to help you
plan and run either of these cermonies.
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