Life Cycle Events

Our community emphasizes sharing and celebrating all the simchas (joys) and tzores (pain) of life, including:

Birth - Welcoming our new sons and daughters into the Covenant is a vital act for parents and our community. Temple parents work with a Rabbi to design a Brit Milahor, a Naming ceremony, that honors tradition, as well as modern conventions. We often name children during a service, though some members have chosen to have a ceremony in their home.

    Consecration - Consecration is a beautiful and meaningful lifecycle event marking the beginning of a              child's formal Jewish education. Temple Beth-El has a tradition of celebrating Consecration early in the            school year of Kindergarten. This service is a family celebration where each child receives a certificate            and is blessed by the Rabbi. Our Consecration ceremony emphasizes the value we place on Jewish                learning. For more information, please contact the Temple office at 386.675.6615.

B'nei Mitzvah - A Temple member becomes a Bar Mitzvah or Bat Mitzvah after a period of coursework and study that is designed to prepare one for an observant Jewish life. Our young teens prepare for this milestone through a combination of religious school and Hebrew classes, plus tutoring and consultation with the Rabbi. We also periodically hold B'nei Mitzvah classes for adults. Please read this helpful document, and then consult with the Rabbi to learn more about the requirements to become a Bar Mitzvah or Bat Mitzvah.

Confirmation - Reform Judaism recognizes that young adults should continue their studies after becoming B’nei mitzvah, culminating in a confirmation ceremony, typically during sophomore year of high school. It constitutes an individual and group affirmation of commitment to the Jewish people. Confirmation, one of the “youngest” Jewish lifecycle ceremonies, began less than 200 years ago. Our temple holds confirmation classes that build on the Jewish education our students receive through religious school, Hebrew, and B’nei mitzvah training. Confirmation is typically held in conjuction with Shavuot, the festival in which we mark the giving of the Torah.

Conversion - Our Temple, through our Rabbi, offers conversion courses of studies for those wishing to become Jews by choice. These new Jews are always most welcome in our congregation. Please see this brief outline of the conversion process from the Rabbi.

Marriage - A wedding is a momentous occasion, both as a milestone in a couple’s life and in terms of the planning and preparation needed for such a celebration. Temple Beth-El is here for you throughout the process of planning your simcha. Just as each couple is unique, we will work with you to make your wedding a true reflection of you and your families. If you are interested in having your wedding at Temple Beth-El, or a wedding officiated by our Rabbi, please call the Temple office as early as possible at 386.675.6615 and our office will help you begin the planning process. For information about the different rituals that may be considered for your wedding, please click on this link.                                          

Death & Bereavement - As a member of Temple Beth-El, we are here to support you in your time of need. The Rabbi would like to visit the member and/or family to provide comfort and prayers. Please contact the Temple office or the Rabbi as soon as possible for arrangements to be made.