From when a child is born to the coming of age bar or bat mitzvah, from the celebration of marriage to the mourning of a loved one, Beth Emet is here to support our members and families during joyus and challenging times to assist with rituals, ceremonies, or commemorations.
Baby Naming/Bris
When a baby is born, the whole congregation celebrates! A brit milah or bris (covenant of circumcision for a boy) and a simchat bat (celebrating the joy of a daughter) are special ways for parents to express their gratitude and celebrate their new arrival with the community. If you are planning a bris, we are happy to recommend a local mohel (Jewish person trained in the procedure of circumcision).
Every family in the Beth Emet community has the opportunity of introducing their new baby girl or boy to the congregation at a Kabbalat Shabbat service with a naming ceremony. To schedule a baby naming, please contact Wendy Yablon, assistant to the clergy.
Bar or Bat Mitzvah
Becoming a bar or bat mitzvah is a very meaningful time in the lives of children and their families. The bar/bat Mitzvah service is a rite of passage marking the time when a child assumes the religious responsibilities of adulthood.
At Beth Emet, we emphasize and value the child’s preparation and subsequent involvement in Jewish life as much as we focus on creating a very meaningful and proud experience on the day of the bar or bat Mitzvah. Our young congregants work directly with our Rabbi and Cantor, as well as with tutors, congregants, and our Directors of Lifelong Learning and Youth Programming. They are given opportunities to perfect their prayer and Torah reading skills, as well as to ask questions, which lead to meaningful answers. During the service, the child demonstrates knowledge of Jewish tradition and leads Shabbat morning worship before family and community. As part of their preparation to become a bar or bat mitzvah, teens also complete a gemilut chasidim (acts of loving kindness) project.
Weddings
The celebration of marriage is an intimate, joyful, and ceremonious occasion. Our clergy supports equal marriage, interfairth couples, and would be delighted to celebrate with every couple. The clergy counsel couples on preparing their life together and assist couples in shaping the ceremony that will be meaningful to both of them.
To inquire about our clergy's availablity and pre-wedding counseling program, please contact Wendy Yablon, assistant to the clergy.
Beth Emet's Intermarriage Officiation Policy Statement
Host your wedding at Beth Emet
Beth Emet provides a warm environment for commemorating and celebrating life's significant life cycle events. The Synagogue offers a large social hall (Crown Room) that can accommodate 300 for a sit down meal, a smaller social hall (Weiner Room), overlooking a beautiful garden, which can accommodate 125 for a sit down meal, and a full catering kitchen. The Sanctuary (which seats 325) can be rented for appropriate events. Learn more about our facility.
Funerals
At Beth Emet, we are committed to caring for each other throughout our lives. We help each other in times of both great joy and deep sadness. Knowing that a death often occurs unexpectedly, we have developed The Beth Emet Funeral Plan. This simple resource to help you plan for and respond to the profound loss of a loved one. Beth Emet also has prepared a funeral plan for you and your loved ones to ease the burden of decision-making during a period of great emotional stress.
Whether you have just lost a loved one or are discussing end-of-life planning with your family, the Beth Emet Funeral Plan offers the help of our community at a time when you need it most.
See also End of Life Resources.
