Life Cycles
A community prays and learns together; a community also celebrates joys together, weathers difficult times together, and mourns together. Jewish ritual marks each stage of life communally, whether the welcoming of a child into the Covenant, the celebration of a child’s B’nai Mitzvah, the new beginning of a wedding or a conversion, or the loss of a loved one.
Brit Milah/Simchat Bat (Circumcision/Naming)
Mazal Tov on the birth of your child! We want to celebrate with you by welcoming them into the covenant of our people with a Brit Milah (ritual circumcision) or Simhat Bat (baby naming). Rabbi Julie Roth is eager to help you craft a ritual moment that suits your family and that brings the joy and beauty of our tradition to your family.
B'nai Mitzvah
This is a joyous moment for a young person and their family as they transition to the age of responsibility in the Jewish tradition. We are proud to offer family programs, tutoring, and experiences to prepare your child for this milestone and ensure that your celebration is filled with meaning, ritual, and joy.
read more
Aufruf
Getting married? Pause in the presence of the Torah on your way to the huppah (wedding canopy) and receive a blessing from Rabbi Julie Roth. The depth of your love and joy for your family is our communal happiness. We celebrate your commitment to each other and pray that Jewish tradition will be a steadfast presence in your union.
Wedding
Jewish tradition believes that the union of two Jewish souls has the power to redeem our world. Throughout the wedding ceremony, we make reference to the Creation of the World, and the future Redemption yet to come. As you stand under the chuppah (wedding canopy) you are imbued with the hope of generations past, present, and future, that the world can yet be made whole again, inspired by your love. Rabbi Julie Roth will be happy to meet with couples to serve as a guide and officiants for your wedding and marriage.
Funeral
We mourn with you on the loss of your loved one. We seek to bring a measure of comfort to your grief and to provide listening ears, a caring community, and a potent rituals to guide you through these difficult days. Shomrei can assist with funeral plots and navigating funeral arrangements and rituals, including shiva. Please contact the office in your time of need and we will provide our heartfelt assistance.
Shomrei Cemetery Association
Unveiling
The Hebrew word for cemetery monuments is matzevah. It comes from a root word meaning stability and firmness. Following the loss of a loved one, that can so often be a period of feeling unstable, we give honor to the life they lived with the placing of a monument on their grave. We pray that through this act of love and devotion, we bring a renewed sense of surefootedness to our lives.
Birthdays/Anniversaries/Graduations
Celebrate your milestone birthday, anniversary, graduation, or any other happy occasion, together with your Shomrei family! Sponsor a kiddush, have an aliyah to the Torah, chant a haftorah – we share in your joy!
