Life Cycle Celebrations
In addition to holidays and religious observances celebrated throughout the Jewish year, families may wish to have a blessing or celebration to mark a Jewish life cycle event or a milestone, such as an anniversary, birthday, or travel. Rockdale Temple is the place to celebrate special moments and make them sacred.
Baby naming
We welcome new life with great happiness and joy. The arrival of a new Jewish baby has always been greeted with delight, ceremony, and a wealth of customs.
Brit Milah, the covenant of circumcision, is the oldest continuous Jewish rite, a ritual that unites Jews throughout all ages. Taking place on the eighth day following the birth of a baby boy, this ancient ceremony announces the parents’ commitment to taking on the responsibilities and joys of raising a child according to the terms of the Covenant between God and the Jewish people.
Brit Bat, the act of welcoming infant daughters to this historic relationship, does the same with words and rituals. Both Jewish traditions and contemporary liturgies and customs inform ceremonies welcoming daughters into the Covenant between God and the Jewish people.
Rabbi Kahan looks forward to creating meaningful, joyful Brit ceremonies. We look forward to celebrating with you!
Consecration
During the festival of Simchat Torah, we celebrate as a community as our youngest Temple members begin their journey into formal Jewish education. The evening of celebration begins with a dinner for the entire family and continues on the Bimah as the students receive their very own Torah scroll and gifts from the congregation. Our consecrants have the opportunity to demonstrate the beginnings of their Jewish knowledge by leading our community in reciting the Shema, and are central to our music-filled celebration of Simchat Torah.
Contact Rabbi Kahan for more information.
Bar/bat mitzvah
"Bar and Bat Mitzvah really means 'old enough to be responsible for the Mitzvot.” Mitzvot are the commandments that a Jew does in order to not only live a Jewish life, but also to sanctify life.” —Rabbi Jeffrey K. Salkin, Putting God on the Guest List.
The celebration of becoming an adult in the Jewish community is a joyful one at Rockdale Temple. The ceremony itself is the result of study in our religious school, family education classes and exploration into the meaning of the milestone, and private study and conversation with Rabbi Kahan. The Bar or Bat Mitzvah leads a Shabbat service and is called to the Torah in honor of his/her commitment to a Jewish future. The service celebrates both his/her individual accomplishment and communal values.
Students who are in good standing in our Religious School program and who have achieved the equivalent of three years of Hebrew proficiency are eligible to become Bar/Bat Mitzvah at Rockdale Temple.
confirmation
Rockdale Temple encourages all of our Religious School students to continue their studies at KULANU: the Cincinnati Reform Jewish High School. We celebrate Confirmation in the 10th grade. Rabbi Kahan teaches Confirmation Class, which includes a class trip to Washington D.C., and exploration of belief and action within the Jewish tradition. The Confirmation experience concludes when our Confirmands affirm their commitment to Judaism during a beautiful Shabbat service, written and led by the class.
Conversion
Conversion to Judaism is a significant act of personal religious commitment, and those who choose to become Jews are welcomed into our congregation. Those interested in the possibility of conversion are encouraged to meet with one of our rabbis. A course of study will be laid out for that individual, including the community "Introduction to Judaism" class.
Weddings
The Jewish wedding is a holy and joyous time. Our rabbis enjoy working with couples to make each wedding a meaningful celebration. Couples who are members (or children of members) of Rockdale Temple are invited to be married in our warm and beautiful chape. The rabbis will work with non-members who wish to be married in another location. Couples should contact one of our rabbis for an appointment and to set a wedding date.
Anniversaries
Families wishing to celebrate significant wedding anniversaries should contact Rabbi Kahan. This celebration can take place in the synagogue, or in another appropriate location. The rabbis also celebrate milestone anniversaries of all congregants with monthly Anniversary Blessings during Shabbat services.
Funeral Services
"May God comfort you among the mourners of Zion and Jerusalem."
Our Temple community provides comfort, support, care, and guidance to families and friends during seasons of loss. The time of bereavement is difficult. Personal rabbinic guidance is available to help families organize their plans, prepare, and heal. In the event of the loss of a loved one, please notify the rabbis or the Temple office at 513.891.9900. Funeral services, shivah minyans, and unveilings are scheduled directly with our rabbis.
Mon, December 9 2024
8 Kislev 5785