Beth Meyer Synagogue takes pride in the sensitive and deeply meaningful opportunities for spirituality at lifecycle events. These are moments of transition that mark both an ending and a new beginning: childbirth, B-Mitzvah, marriage, conversion, and death. Recognition of lifecycle events enriches prayer, allows for individual religious expression, and strengthens the bonds of community. These events draw us closer dor l’dor — from generation to generation.
WELCOMING A BABY
A hearty mazal tov, parents! May your child go forth to study much Torah, find love fulfilled, and perform many acts of kindness. Read on to prepare for a brit milah (literally, “covenant of circumcision”) for a boy and a simhat bat (“rejoicing in a daughter”) for a girl.
Rabbi Eric and Rabbi Jenny are honored to officiate at the bris or naming of a member’s child. To request their services, contact our office.
Brit Milah
Circumcision is an ancient ritual that symbolizes the everlasting covenant between God and the Jewish people, as expressed by God to our patriarch Abraham. A bris takes place on the eighth day after the arrival of a male child (it can be postponed for health reasons) with the service of a mohel(et) (someone expertly trained to perform circumcisions). In calculating the eighth day, remember that the Jewish ‘day’ starts at sundown; for example, a child born on a Monday after sundown would have a bris on the following Tuesday. The bris can take place at Beth Meyer Synagogue or in a home setting.
Two area healthcare professionals are trained to be mohelim:
• Richard D. Adelman, MD is a long-time practitioner of family medicine — you may call his office at (919) 846-9292 to request his services.
• Ricardo “Ricky” Baler, MD, FAAP specializes in pediatrics and adolescent medicine. His phone number is (347) 414-2485.
Simhat Bat
The birth of a baby girl is traditionally celebrated in a simhat bat, which means “rejoicing in a daughter.” Typically, the baby girl’s parents receive an aliyah (Torah honor) in our Sanctuary on a Shabbat morning. A more intimate naming ceremony at the shul or in your home is also an option.
With love and flair, member Amanda Toppe designed our naming, bris, and B-Mitzvah certificates. We thank her endlessly for sharing her gifts with our community.
becoming B-Mitzvah
The ceremony of B-Mitzvah* marks a child’s⁰ spiritual coming-of-age — they become counted as members of our community and accountable for their own spiritual lives.
A B-Mitzvah is a joyous event for your teen, your family, and our congregation and is a high point of years of classroom study and experiential learning at our Naomi & Ken Kramer Religious School.
As you start planning this milestone, our Clergy and Professional Staff are ready to help!
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Cathy Kaplan, Director of Religious School & Family Programs, is your best point of contact for most inquiries.
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Sarah Beall, Facilities Coordinator & Clergy Assistant, organizes study appointments with Rabbi Eric and coordinates the B-Mitzvah rehearsal. Send her your completed B-Mitzvah Final Checklist.
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Rabbi Eric and Rabbi Jenny are available to support your teen and your family with their Jewish and pastoral needs from start to finish.
Browse 5785’s A Guide to Becoming B-Mitzvah at Beth Meyer Synagogue — this is our go-to publication for all things B-Mitzvah. Check out our B-Mitzvah Resources page for more information.
*Though Hebrew is a gendered language, Beth Meyer Synagogue uses the term B-Mitzvah as a gender-neutral way to refer to the ceremony of Bar and Bat Mitzvah.
⁰Adults may also become ben/bat Torah (adult bar/bat mitzvah) — to begin this journey with our clergy, contact our office. Note: there is a re-imagined b'nai Torah cohort program starting up in fall 2024. Click here (link to be added) for more information.
celebrating Marriage
To a new, beautiful chapter — together! Rabbi Eric and Rabbi Jenny are delighted to officiate at the Jewish wedding or commitment ceremonies of a member or a member’s child. Our clergy will counsel the couple on preparing for marriage and the creation of a Jewish home and support them to craft a ceremony that expresses their wishes for themselves and their shared Jewish life. Before the wedding, the couple may be honored at our Shabbat morning prayer service with a special blessing before the Torah (aufruf) in the warm presence of friends, loved ones, and congregants.
Hanging in our Social Hall is a needlepoint huppah (wedding canopy) that was lovingly hand-stitched by the women of Beth Meyer Sisterhood. It is available for the couple’s use at no extra cost and can be used in the Sanctuary, only.
Choosing Judaism
“Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God."
— Book of Ruth 1:16
Each person embarks on their own spiritual journey. Beth Meyer Synagogue welcomes and honors those interested in converting to Judaism — you can review our guidelines for conversion here. Come join us at a Shabbat morning prayer service first to get a feel for our practice. Afterwards, if you still want to convert, email Sarah Beall to start this conversation with Rabbi Eric or Rabbi Jenny.
The Jewish Federation of Greater Raleigh annually organizes introductory classes on Judaism in collaboration with Beth Meyer Synagogue and other area congregations: Jewish Essentials (Fall) and Gateways to Judaism (Spring). Financial assistance is available if needed. Reach out to Gena Brown, Adult Engagement Manager, for more information.
Mourning a loved one
Our Torah and traditions teach us to treat the deceased with respect (kavod) and to comfort those who are grieving (nichum aveilim). Beth Meyer Synagogue is here to provide guidance, care, and support to members and their loved ones as they navigate the mourning process and handle the practical matters surrounding death and burial. Please contact our office to report a death.
Rabbi Eric and Rabbi Jenny are available to officiate at funeral services, unveilings, and shiva minyanim and guide mourners through the traditional rituals that follow burial. Click here to read our Guide to Jewish Mourning Practices.
Both Brown-Wynne Funeral Home on Millbrook Road and Bryan-Lee Funeral Home on Wake Forest Road specialize in Jewish funeral services. To obtain burial plots at The Raleigh Hebrew Cemetery (450 N. State Street) or its satellite, The Raleigh Hebrew Cemetery at Raleigh Memorial Park (7501 Glenwood Avenue), contact one of these volunteers:
- Howard Margulies (919) 614-2153
- David Zendels (919) 847-1217
- Barbara Freedman (919) 805-0179
Beth Meyer Synagogue is a member of The Raleigh-Cary Community Chevra Kadisha (Jewish burial society) — this organization handles everything from the time of death until after the interment, including washing and dressing the body (taharah) and watching over it (shmira). New volunteers are always needed — email Saul Schiffman, the Chevra Kadisha Coordinator, to participate in this holy work. For inspiration, read this testimonial from a volunteer — The Secret Society of the Chevra Kadisha.
Shiva Observance Resources:
• A Minyan of Comfort — Mincha and Ma’ariv Prayer Services
• Selected Psalms for Shiva Minyan
• Kaddish Yatom
Yizkor Resources:
• 2023-24 Book of Remembrance
• Siddur Lev Shalem - Yizkor Service
