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

A Placenta-Planting Ritual

A complete ritual for a family to bury the new child’s placenta under a plant in the garden.
  • by Lizzie Leykin
childbirth, community, garden, tree planting
A Placenta-Planting Ritual

Circumcision or Hatafat Dam Brit Ritual Using the Heel

  • by Maggid Eli Andrew Ramer
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”
  • by Robert Bires
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?”
  • by Rabbi Caryn Aviv
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”
  • by Sara Stock Mayo
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”
  • by Batya Diamond
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”
  • by Lewis John Eron
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
  • by Rabbi Jeffery Schein
acrostic, baby naming, covenant
Schein Family Baby Naming Traditions

Brit Bat: A Four Worlds Baby Naming Ceremony

“May you grow to be a strong woman”
  • by Rabbi Debra Smith
baby naming, girl, kabbalah
Brit Bat: A Four Worlds Baby Naming Ceremony

Prayer for Those Yearning for a Child

“We pray that those yearning to conceive, carry, foster or adopt will lead to a joyful outcome”

  • by Rabbi Ilana Zietman
baby naming, brit milah, family
Prayer for Those Yearning for a Child

The Reconstructionist Network

Reconstructing Judaism logo

Read & Rite

One-stop shop for progressive Jewish books and ritual objects

Placement Office

Placement resources for rabbis and congregations

Havaya Summer Programs

Overnight summer camp and teen Israel experience

Reconstructionist Educators of North America

Professional group for people leading schools in Reconstructionist congregations

Reconstructionist Rabbinical Association

Professional association of Reconstructionist rabbis

Get the latest from Ritualwell

Subscribe for the latest rituals, online learning opportunities, and unique Judaica finds from our store.