Jewish Lifecycle
The Personal is Communal
Events in the "calendar" of the lifecycle are private, yet connect us to the "unseen presences" of missing family members and our entire people throughout history.
Rabbinic Sources on Circumcision
A selection of laws and stories about brit milah.
The Meaning of Pidyon Haben
Redemption of the first-born son is an act of gratitude and humility.
Brit Milah: Why Boys Are Circumcised
How Jewish thinkers over the ages have explained the importance of ritual circumcision.
Historic Rituals for Welcoming Jewish Daughters
Long before the creation of contemporary ceremonies for girls, some Jewish communities had special customs.
A New Welcome for Jewish Daughters
An interview with the author of the only book on welcoming ceremonies for Jewish girls reveals much about contemporary Jewish life.
Development of Brit Bat
The past three decades have seen the development of this ceremony with ancient roots and contemporary wings.
History of Jewish Ceremonies for Baby Girls
Rituals & customs marking the birth of girls have existed since biblical times, but they've blossomed in the past 30 years.