JEWISH RITUALS

Any of the following services can be added à la carte to your birth or postpartum experience. Contact Anna for her full array of offerings to enrich your experience.

Baby Naming Ceremony & Certificate

A Jewish baby is often given a Hebrew name shortly after birth. During this brief ceremony that may be with family, friends, or in private, a baby is officially welcomed into the Jewish community for the very first time. During the ceremony, parents of the new baby explain their choice of name (usually both English and Hebrew names) and its significance to them. Blessings are then recited for the baby's well-being and the birther’s well-being. Baby boys are given their Hebrew names at the same time as circumcision (see “Brit Milah” below) on the eighth day after birth. Baby girls may be given their Hebrew name at any time, though they are usually also performed in the first week of the baby's life. I will work with you to create a meaningful, personalized baby naming ceremony that reflects your family. 

Using A Shviti 

Many women, whether they are laboring with or without anesthesia, find it helpful to have a focal point or visual item to help them concentrate while they labor. If this interests you, I will help you find a shviti that resonates with you. A custom, personalized artist-designed shviti is also available upon request. A shviti is a traditional Jewish art form used for meditation. Ask to see an example!  

Baby’s First Shabbat

Celebrating baby’s first Shabbat can be a meaningful memory for you and your family. Shabbat, the Jewish day of rest, occurs from Friday at sundown to sunset on Saturday. As we reflect on the Torah’s story of creation of the world, there is no better opportunity to reflect on your own recent creation of a tiny world. I offer a personalized prayerbook keepsake for you and your family to enjoy baby’s first Shabbat. You can rejoice in your new little one and create memories (and keepsakes) along the way. 

Brit Milah

Often referred to as a “bris,” a Brit Milah is a religious ceremony when a Jewish baby boy is circumcised on his 8th day of life. It is a symbol of our 3,000 year old covenant between God and the Jewish people. This ancient ceremony is brimming with meaning and symbolism. I will work with you to connect you to a mohel, a medically trained professional who performs the rite of circumcision, and create a Brit Milah ceremony that feels right for your family. 

Private Havdalah ceremony to conclude the first 40 or 80 days postpartum

According to the Book of Leviticus, Jewish law tells us that birthers should not be forced to be active in the world immediately after birth. When a new baby is born, the birther is also reborn... and exploring your new self takes time! During the postpartum period, a birther may feel exhausted, elated, lonely, complete, empty, and everything in between. It takes a village to successfully support a birther during this journey. I am part of your village. Additional postpartum visits can be added to your birth experience at any time. According to Jewish law, the transition from the postpartum phase back into the world occurs at 40 days for a birther who gave birth to a baby boy and at 80 days for a birther who gave birth to a baby girl. During this one-on-one ritual between the birther and me, we will use the powerful ritual of Havdalah to celebrate the next phase of your life and reflect on your postpartum journey as a whole as you re-enter the world.

“Simchat Yoledet” Gathering / Babyway

Based on ancient Israelite custom, a Simchat Yoledet (which is sometimes referred to in modern circles as a “babyway”) celebrates the birth of a new mother. Usually taking place in the birther’s home, friends and family are invited to celebrate the birther’s new identity with music, blessings, sharing of birth stories, and “stocking her fridge” or freezer with premade meals. Allow me to help you bring Jewish ritual to life with the Simchat Yoledet party of your dreams. 

"Wimpl/Mappah" Design

 Swaddling cloths and receiving blankets have been in use since ancient times. But starting in the 15th century, swaddles in the Jewish community became creative expressions of a parent’s hopes and dreams for their baby. After the swaddle is used at the Brit Milah ceremony, it is then cut, sewn, and decorated to be used as a Torah binder. Decorations might include the child's birthdate, their birthweek Torah portion, and much more. On a child’s 1st birthday, the child delivers their wimpl to a synagogue for donation to be kept until their B'Mitzvah. Want more on the story behind this custom and steps for how to bring this custom to life? Allow me to fill you in and connect you with my artists.

Custom Postpartum Seder

Experience a mini-Seder (which means “order”) that includes the 7 species of Israel (wheat, barley, grapes, figs, olives, dates, and pomegranates). Explore the postpartum meaning behind these 7 symbols with me, as we process your birth story and postpartum journey together. This seder provides a sense of spirituality and closure for the birther as they prepare to reenter "the daily grind" again. 

Placenta Burial Ceremony

Ancient Israelite women would bury their placenta beneath the entryway to their home within the first week of their newborn’s life. The placenta was meant to deter the evil eye from entering the home, serving as a protecting force for mama and baby. Through blessings and burial, we will engage in this ancient act together that doubles as a marker of the start of your postpartum process. Many modern families choose to plant a flower, herb, or tree above the placenta to watch it mature as their baby grows.

Jewish Baby Name Consultations

Tell me who you are naming your baby after, what types of names you have liked, and an idea of what you are still looking for, and I will help you find the perfect name for your little one. Hebrew, English, or both.

Contact me for my full Jewish ritual menu with pricing!