• (248) 478-7610
  • info@SHJ.org
  • Subscribe to eNews
  • The Store
  • Contact Us
  • Our Blog
Society for Humanistic Judaism
  • Meaning & Learning
    • What Is Humanistic Judaism?
      • Humanistic Judaism FAQ
      • Are You a Humanistic Jew?
      • Ask the Rabbi
      • Rabbi Sherwin T. Wine
    • Humanistic Judaism Magazine
      • Past Issues of Humanistic Judaism Magazine
      • Subscribe
    • Humanistic Jewish Role Models
    • The Store
  • Living It
    • Celebrate Holidays
      • Hanukkah
      • Lag B’Omer
      • Passover
      • Purim
      • Rosh Hashanah
      • Shabbat and Havdalah
      • Shavuot
      • Simchat Torah
      • Sukkot
      • Tisha B’Av
      • Tu Bi’Shevat
      • Yom HaAtzma’ut
      • Yom HaShoah
      • Yom HaZikaron
      • Yom Kippur
    • Life Cycle Events
      • Birth
      • Weddings
      • Cultural B Mitzvah (Bar/Bat Mitzvah)
      • End of Life
    • Radical Inclusion
      • Who is a Jew?
      • Becoming a Humanistic Jew
    • Youth Programs
      • HuJews Youth Movement
      • Sunday Schools
  • Organize
    • Social Justice: Issues and Resolutions
    • Community Service
    • Jews for a Secular Democracy
    • Build Community
      • Start a Humanistic Jewish Community
      • Grow Your Humanistic Jewish Community
    • Movement Advocacy and News
      • SHJ Members Access
      • STW Lifetime Achievement Award
      • Affiliations
  • Connect
    • Find a Community
    • Members Log-In
    • Join/Renew
    • Donate
    • Join the Conversation
      • Ask the Rabbi
      • Subscribe to eNews
    • Contact Us
  • About Us
    • Mission and Vision
    • Board of Directors
    • Staff
    • Calendar
    • Job Opportunities
DONATE

Birth

Home Living Humanistic Judaism Life Cycle Events Birth

In celebrating the birth of a child, Humanistic Jews believe that:

  • Male and female children ought to be treated equally;
  • Children of all multicultural or multi-faith couples should have equal status, regardless of whether the mother or father is Jewish;
  • Medical and moral decisions about circumcision should be considered separately from decisions about birth and baby-naming celebrations; and
  • The birth celebration should affirm the family’s connection to the Jewish people and to the human community in a philosophically consistent, meaningful way.

Circumcision and Brit Milah  (Bris)

A traditional brit milah  (covenant of circumcision) is a covenant with God, so it is inconsistent with the philosophy of Humanistic Judaism. When a male child is born, the families are encouraged to decide whether to circumcise their child separate from the type of ceremony they will choose to celebrate the child’s birth. Humanistic rabbis and leaders are trained to guide parents and grandparents through this decision-making process so they can determine what is best for their child and family.

Our movement leadership has considered the issue of circumcision in its resolution Circumcision and Jewish Identity.

Humanistic Birth Celebrations (Brit Shalom)

A Humanistic birth celebration has two functions: to name and to welcome. Some leaders refer to this gender neutral birth celebration as a brit shalom (covenant of peace). Naming a child in English, Hebrew, and/or Yiddish can provide an important link to the child’s ancestral heritage and to the community. In the welcoming portion of the ceremony, grandparents, parents, siblings, other relatives, and the Humanistic Jewish community publicly acknowledge the event, symbolizing their commitment to the child’s welfare. Participation in the ceremony gives family members deserved recognition and honor.

Generally, a birth celebration is held about a month after the baby is born, in order to give the infant and parents time to adjust to their new life together. The celebration may be held in the home, congregational meeting space, or other public place. It is not necessary that a rabbi or madrikh(a) (ceremonial leader) officiate; however, officiation by a certified leader or sponsorship by the Humanistic Jewish community serves a valuable purpose by providing communal recognition of the event and professional creation of the ceremony.

Please contact SHJ Rabbi Miriam Jerris for assistance with your life cycle needs, or to help you find an officiant.There are also many resources in the SHJ Store Life Cycle section with information about creating Humanistic Jewish ceremonies to mark life cycle events.

Search the Site

Facebook

Follow Us

  • Donate
  • The Store
  • Blog
  • Contact
  • Home

Humanistic Judaism Makes Life Better

Thankfulness and mindfulness without dogma. Faith in our fellow people. Modern meaning in ancient traditions. Using only the words that match our beliefs. Humanistic values of equality, honesty, and integrity. Good food. Jewish humor. Links to a fascinating history and peoplehood. Support from like-minded sojourners. Powerful lifecycle events. Rituals to keep us grounded. Rich cultural heritage. Fun holidays. Connection to the natural universe. Ethical values in action. Bringing light through learning and laughter. AND… celebrating our full diversity, including Jewish, Jew-ish, not yet Jewish, never gonna be Jewish; atheist, agnostic, secular, humanist, freethinker, spiritual-not-religious; in-married, intermarried, interculturally married, single, divorced, nontraditional, polyamorous; multiracial, people of color, all heritages and backgrounds; people with and without disabilities and neurodiversity; lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, heterosexual, nonconforming; and all who come in kindness and sincerity!

All Content Copyright © 2022 | Society for Humanistic Judaism