Related Blog Posts on Lifecycle Rituals and Parenting

Photo of an older man standing behind a Torah scroll

Becoming B’nei Mitzvah at Any Age

Kate Bigam Kaput
Terms like "bar mitzvah," "bet mitzvah," and "bat mitzvah" typically evoke images of teens reading from the Torah and formally taking their place within the Jewish community. But many Reform congregations offer adult b'nei mitzvah classes, enabling people to participate in this ritual later in life.
A rabbi holding a baby

Welcoming Baby

Rabbi Jen Gubitz
A brand-new baby is an astonishing being! How a tiny human could emerge from a mere bundle of cells, and the simple fact that any human being exists earthside, is truly remarkable.
Ilene goldman's wedding, bride and groom standing under the chuppah

My Father’s Tallit

Ilene S. Goldman
As a child snoop, I was well acquainted with the contents of my parents’ dresser drawers. This came in handy often, like the night before a trip when my mom panicked because she couldn’t find her passport.
Photo of two wedding rings sitting on top of a Ketubah

Making a Jewish Ritual for my Divorce

Rabbi Lisa S. Greene
In the weeks leading up to my civil divorce, I delved into Jewish tradition to see how I could mark it Jewishly. I'd been married under a chuppah with the exquisite blessings of our tradition; simply marking my divorce in the Cook County courthouse was not going to suffice.

Jewish Names to Brighten Your Summer and Life!

Ellie Rudee
You're expecting a baby or perhaps taking on a Hebrew name and looking for some sunny inspiration. Jewish tradition offers a rich array of names that evoke the beauty of summer and the Jewish holidays that fall during the summer months.
am image of a b’rit milah

Reform Mohalim Discuss Circumcision

Kate Bigam Kaput
North American Reform mohalim are trained and certified by the Brit Milah Board of Reform Judaism and supported by the National Organization of American Mohalim, (NOAM), which works to make the practice of b'rit milahan available, meaningful, and relevant Jewish lifecycle ritual for families.
an image of two adults; a woman handing a plastic bag with pictures of dreidals and the word dreidal on it to a man

Your Hanukkah Gift-Giving Guide is Here!

Crystal Hill
Hanukkah is one of my favorite holidays, partially because it gives me the opportunity to give gifts to my loved ones every night for eight nights! Gift giving with intentionality is one of my favorite ways to express affection while teaching my child about Jewish values and traditions.
an image of Laura Frank and her son Toby walking down the sidewalk

A Temple Has Two Meanings

Laura Frank
Earlier this year, on a beautiful spring day, we drove 30 minutes from our home in Philadelphia to a Thai temple and cultural center to celebrate Songkran, Thailand's Lunar New Year.
an image of a daughter sitting on mother's lap reading a book

Connecting With My Child and My Jewish Identity in the Midst of Trauma

Crystal Hill
As I watched my son play, my mind would drift to mothers in Israel whose toddlers were no longer able to do so. My heart broke for the parents and young children who were caught in the crossfire of the war for no reason other than being in the wrong place at the wrong time.