Covenant & Naming Rituals

Historically, Jewish people have formally welcomed boys into the covenant with God, marking the occasion with celebration and circumcision. The birth of a girl was met with joy, but no ritual or communal celebration. We offer a variety of ways to formally welcome both girls and boys. You’ll also find naming rituals and blessings for parents, grandparents and children.

Latest Rituals

How to Create Bris Dam Doros/Covenantal Ritual with the Blood of Parent

Bris Dam Doros means a Covenant with the Blood of Generations. In this form of bris, blood is spilled to seal the covenant—but not the blood of the child, but rather the blood of the parent/s…

baby naming, blood, brit milah, covenant, generations, intergenerational, welcoming

baby hand holding adult finger

My Baby’s Kippah

“In this moment, though, I felt triumphant. Not only had I given birth and become a mother in my late 40s, but I had figured out a way to truly honor my father’s memory and wishes…”

baby naming, birth, family, interfaith, names, parenting, pregnancy

a small white kippah with white strings

A Placenta-Planting Ritual

A complete ritual for a family to bury the new child’s placenta under a plant in the garden.

childbirth, community, garden, tree planting

People handling a potted plant with small succulents and gardening tools nearby.

Circumcision or Hatafat Dam Brit Ritual Using the Heel

brit milah, lekh lekha

bare feet walking in the sand

Until We Held You: Poem for a New Baby

“We have been waiting for you”

baby naming, childbirth, love

closeup of newborn white baby held by adult white hands

Blessing for Cutting an Umbilical Cord and Ritual for Anointing a Baby’s Navel

“How might we mark the moment of birth and coming into Jewish covenant without focusing on the gender and genitals of an infant?”

baby naming, covenant, gender, gender inclusive

closeup of person's white hands holding white baby's small bare feet with dappled sunlight shining

Blessing for Daughters

“May you claim your ancient power”

baby naming, baby shower, family, feminism, gender, naming

brown skinned woman in black tank dress holding hands and dancing with two brown skinned girls by the ocean with water in the background and sunlight

Berukhah At (Shehekheyatnu): A Divine Feminine Blessing for Momentous Occasions

“We praise you, Shekhinah, / who has given us life”

shehekheyanu, Shekhinah

purple flowers with a banner reading brucha at bayta diamond

We All Have a Name

“We all have a name / given by the mountains we climb”

name change, naming

person standing on mountain in front of sea of clouds and sunshine

Schein Family Baby Naming Traditions

Baby naming tradition matching Hebrew letters of child’s name to biblical verses

acrostic, baby naming, covenant

A couple smiles at a sleeping baby wrapped in a white blanket with stars, standing together by a window.