In our tradition, Jewish baby naming takes place in the first few weeks after birth. Family, friends, and community attend a brief ceremony that includes offering a Hebrew name for the young child. It is my honor to perform traditional Jewish Hebrew baby naming on Kauai.

Pictured above, Mazel Tov was for joyous parents Nate and Rachel when I performed the baby naming for the daughter at the Jewish Community of Kauai’s Shabbat morning service.

Choosing a Hebrew name.

Parents and family may choose a Hebrew name of their liking, and frequently it has special meaning to the family. For example, European Jews have a tradition of remembering a dead relative so that the name and memory be a blessing to the newborn. Sephardic Jews’ tradition, on the other hand, is to name the baby after a living relative.

Typically the parents or other family members offer the new name and their reason for selecting it. Blessings offered to include the child entering into a covenant with G_d, know as a brit, as well as those for good health and a good life. So may this child enter into a life of studying the Torah, with cherished relationships and the practice of good deeds.

I do not perform circumcision, known as b'rit milah. If done, that is typically performed on the eighth day after a boy’s birth, when the child is given a Hebrew name.

Where will you have your baby naming?

Baby namings can occur in the family home, or they can talk place within the Jewish congregation. When part of a Shabbat service, it can occur on a Friday evening or a Saturday morning.

Understanding the tradition of Hebrew baby naming.

The Hebrew name is used from birth until death. That includes as part of religious education, at bar/bat mitzvah when being called to the Torah, at a Kauai Jewish wedding, on a wedding ketubah, and at any other time when called to the Torah. It is also used at the end of life.

Let’s talk Jewish Baby naming.

I look forward to being of service with your Kauai Jewish baby naming.