Birth of a Child

With the joy of a new baby, there come many questions, including how to recognize and celebrate the birth of a child in the Jewish community.

Traditionally, Jewish boys are circumcised and given a Hebrew name on the eighth day after their birth at a brit milah ceremony. For information about engaging a mohel, contact the JCCH office. Be sure to contact the Mohel and/or the JCCH office before setting the date for the Brit Milah. Time of day, day of the week, and Caesarean births can affect this.

Births of daughters are celebrated either by naming the child at the Torah (usually on Shabbat morning), or by holding a simhat bat ceremony, at the synagogue or home, to formally welcome the child into the Jewish covenant and community.

For more information about planning your brit milah or simhat bat at JCCH, contact the JCCH office at 914-835-2850.