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 complete ritual for a family to bury the new child’s placenta under a plant in the garden.
A Placenta-Planting Ritual
“We have been waiting for you”
closeup of newborn white baby held by adult white hands
“How might we mark the moment of birth and coming into Jewish covenant without focusing on the gender and genitals of an infant?”
closeup of person's white hands holding white baby's small bare feet with dappled sunlight shining
“May you claim your ancient power”
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
“We praise you, Shekhinah, / who has given us life”
purple flowers with a banner reading brucha at bayta diamond
“We all have a name / given by the mountains we climb”
person standing on mountain in front of sea of clouds and sunshine
Baby naming tradition matching Hebrew letters of child’s name to biblical verses
Schein Family Baby Naming Traditions
“May you grow to be a strong woman”
Brit Bat: A Four Worlds Baby Naming Ceremony

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

Prayer for Those Yearning for a Child

The Reconstructionist Network

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