Life Cycle

In the life of every individual and of every family, there are special occasions that call for celebration as well as occasions that call forth grief and mourning. Every people from time immemorial and every religious faith has seen fit to mark these occasions by special ceremonies and special observances.

Hayim Halevy Donin, To Be a Jew

Judaism has developed rites and ceremonies as well as rules and procedures to mark life’s critical junctures. These rituals can add beauty and meaning to a family’s simha, healing to a family’s sorrow. They do so by binding us to the past while expressing our dreams for the future. They do so by connecting our lives to the life of our people and ultimately to God.

To find out more about a particular lifecycle, explore the selections below. For further information, check out the links, visit the Beth El library or contact one of the rabbis.

Birth There are few joys greater than becoming parents and the journey of parenthood begins in celebration. Brit milah (circumcision) and simhat bat ("Celebration of a Daughter") ceremonies give families, friends and the entire community an opportunity to rejoice in the miracle of birth. More »		Bar/Bat Mitzvah What is the difference between "becoming a bar/bat mitzvah" and "being bar/bat mitzvahed?" Bar/bat mitzvah are not events or ceremonies and they are more than a graduation ceremony. Literally, "son or daughter of the commandment," bar/bat mitzvah is what young people become when they turn thirteen. More »

Conversion People choose to become Jewish for a variety of reasons. Some come to Judaism on their own after a long spiritual search. These Jews-by-choice see in Judaism sensible religious beliefs that add meaning and beauty to their lives. More »		Wedding A couple's wedding day will likely be one of the most significant occasions in their lives. Through it, a couple publicly affirms the love they share, express the beliefs and values they hold dear and dreams towards which they will strive. More »

Birthday/Anniversary In Judaism, we tend to "count up" rather than "count down." Consider Hanukkah candles: rather than starting with eight candles and counting down to one (which would parallel the decreasing amount of oil in the well-known Hanukkah story), we add one candle each night and count up. More »		Divorce In the cycle of life, there are moments of extreme joy and profound sadness, both of which come into play in connection with marriage and divorce. More »

Death Sorrow and grief are the price we pay for love and devotion. When death separates us from the one we love, life suddenly seems dark and the future empty. But, we are not without guidance at this critical moment in our lives. More »