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Covenant & Naming Rituals

A couple lovingly gazes at their newborn baby, who is lying on a white blanket.

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

Welcoming a baby girl while marking her with the letters of “Shadai” as a sign of the covenant

baby being tapped on nose

A blessing for a son, drawing inspiration from our forefathers

teenaged boy in cardigan, dress shirt, and tie

An upbeat and funky melody for this popular song from Pslam 133

A woman plays guitar in front of a collage, smiling. Text: Hinay Ma Tov, includes bonus music video DVD.

Invoking the prophetess Devorah and symbolically wrapping tzitzit to welcome a baby girl

baby girl in white headband and red dress

Recalls the concept of the Sheva Berakhot used in a wedding ceremony

newborn girl

Excerpt from an original babynaming ceremony in which the baby is welcomed into the covenant by perfuming her ears with myrtle

face of newborn baby

Lighting a candle, symbolic of the new soul born into the world. Can also be used like a yahrzeit candle to recall the departed soul for whom the baby is named. Also a covenantal symbol.

A lit white candle on a wooden table, with a blurred background.

Some couples wrap the baby in a tallit, perhaps the one used as their huppah, as a symbol of covenant or welcome

two hands holding tallit fringes

A symbol of life, love, and renewal at a baby naming ceremony

cinnamon and star anise

The Reconstructionist Network

Serving as central organization of the Reconstructionist movement

Training the next generation of groundbreaking rabbis

Modeling respectful conversations on pressing Jewish issues

Curating original, Jewish rituals, and convening Jewish creatives

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The Reconstructionist Network