The community at Temple Beth Tikvah takes great pride in celebrating and supporting our members during major milestones in life. At every stage, we are available to assist to make milestones significant and memorable. Certain events are coordinated from the start such as B’nei Mitzvah and Confirmation, while others require you to contact our staff directly. To get more information on working with the rabbi for baby namings, weddings, and funerals, please contact Rabbi Shuval-Weiner directly.
Baby Naming
Bringing a new baby into the Covenant of the Jewish people by presenting them with a Hebrew name is a powerful and joyous celebration. This short service can be conducted in our sanctuary during Shabbat or in your home. These ceremonies take place any time after the eighth day for any child brought into a family who identifies as Jewish regardless of biology or matrilineal or patrilineal descent.
Consecration
To welcome new students in our religious school, each year, during Sukkot, we host a special shabbat service celebrating consecration. Students receive their very own small Torah as we join together in prayer.
B'nei Mitzvah
This special day of participation is woven into our Shabbat Service creating a meaningful and memorable day for our Bar and Bat Mitzvah families, their friends and our congregation alike. Preparation begins for Bar and Bat Mitzvah students with Hebrew instruction in the 3rd grade. In addition to instruction from religious school teachers, Rabbi Shuval-Weiner, Cantor Kassel and highly-skilled, experienced tutors take an active role in each child’s preparation.
Many families also select to use our beautiful facilities to host their celebrations immediately following the service or during the evening following the end of Shabbat.
Confirmation
Temple Beth Tikvah’s confirmation program engages students in 8th, 9th, and 10th grade in meaningful ways to build a stronger youth community. In preparation for making Jewish choices for “the real world,” students study closely with Rabbi Shuval-Weiner. The program concludes with a special ceremony in the sanctuary.
Wedding
The Jewish wedding features so many wonderful traditions and brings a community together in joyous celebration. Navigating the process of planing a Jewish wedding includes learning more about the meaning behind the commonly-practiced rituals as well as preparing as a couple to enter into this sacred covenant. Rabbi Shuval-Weiner is available to assist you in this process and offer her support and participation. Temple Beth Tikvah welcomes all couples seeking to have a Jewish wedding.
Funeral
At times of loss, having a community of support and strength is imperative. Let Temple Beth Tikvah offer you comfort in this trying time. Contact Rabbi Shuval-Weiner for assistance in scheduling a funeral service, arranging for shiva at home, and additional direction in coping with the death of a loved one.
Yahrzeit Memorial
A Yahrzeit (Yiddish for "a year's time") is the anniversary of the death of a loved one. Every year it is Jewish custom (minhag) to light a special candle that burns for 24 hours, called a Yahrzeit candle. Traditionally, one observing a Yahrzeit performs an act of tzedakah in memory of the loved one and recites Kaddish on a shabbat service closest to the observance.
