Lifecycle Celebrations

We are delighted to welcome new babies into our community and share in this special occasion! Each family and celebration is unique and there are often creative ways to involve and honor relatives and friends.

Please contact any Clergy Assistant, Jan Klein at jank@timemphis.org, as you start to think about ways to welcome a new child into the covenant of the Jewish people and our community.

The giving of a Hebrew name to a baby girl may take place at any time. Some choose to hold it on the eighth day after birth, just like scheduling a brit milah, and others choose to wait until the baby is older.

The naming ceremony may take place during Shabbat services, thus providing the opportunity to share this joyous occasion with the community, or it may be held at a private home or another location. The arrangements must be made in advance by contacting the clergy office. A member of the clergy will speak to you by phone or in person to plan the ceremony.

At Temple Israel, Confirmation is a meaningful coming-of-age ritual, though less widespread than the Bar or Bat Mitzvah, and typically observed when a teen is 16 or 18. The practice was originally developed by the Reform Movement, which believed that age 13 was too young to be considered adulthood. At that time, Confirmation was intended to replace the Bar and Bat Mitzvah as the central rite of passage.

Over time, however, the enduring popularity of the Bar and Bat Mitzvah led the Reform Movement to restore these ceremonies while continuing the tradition of Confirmation. Today at Temple Israel, Confirmation provides our teens with an additional opportunity to affirm their Jewish identity, celebrate their learning, and take their place as committed members of the Jewish community.

Engaged to be married? Mazal tov! Our clergy are excited to work with you to plan and prepare for your wedding. Reach out to Jan Klein in the clergy office to begin the process.

Our clergy will meet with an engaged couple a number of times prior to their wedding. In these meetings, in addition to planning ceremony details, our clergy offer pre-marital counseling through guided discussion related to sustaining a long-term committed relationship. These conversations help the rabbi get to know you and encourage open and honest communication between the couple. You’ll also discuss Jewish wedding rituals and whether or how you’d like to incorporate these elements into your wedding. 

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