Ceremonies for Jewish Newborns

The ceremony of the "redemption" of the first-born son.

Redemption of the first-born son is an act of gratitude and humility.

Long before the creation of contemporary ceremonies for girls, some Jewish communities had special customs.

An interview with the author of the only book on welcoming ceremonies for Jewish girls reveals much about contemporary Jewish life.

The past three decades have seen the development of this ceremony with ancient roots and contemporary wings.

Rituals & customs marking the birth of girls have existed since biblical times, but they've blossomed in the past 30 years.

Despite the relative newness and great varieties of welcoming ceremonies for girls, a basic structure appears to have emerged.

How can creativity and a sense of commandedness be combined when confronting new ritual needs?

What to do before your son's circumcision.

The customary quorum of 10 represents the community and its obligations to the child.