Life Cycle Events

Birth: Brit Milah And Namings

Brit Milah (the “Covenant of Circumcision”)

The Torah commands us to circumcise our newborn sons on the eighth day of their lives. This ceremony welcomes a baby into Judaism’s sacred covenant of Abraham and Sarah. It is usually held in the home or the synagogue and is performed by a trained Mohel (ritual circumciser). Our Rabbi will be happy to recommend one of the Mohelim in the Los Angeles area. The Rabbi can also participate in the Brit Milah with the mohel by reciting the “mee sha-bayrach” and bestowing the Hebrew name on the baby during the ceremony.

For additional information please contact Rabbi Natan Halevy.

Babynaming for Daughters

We welcome girls into the covenant of Abraham and Sarah through a naming ceremony usually held on Shabbat mornings at the synagogue. Members of the family are invited to participate and the Hebrew name is bestowed by the Rabbi at that time. On occasion a Simhat Bat (Celebration of the Birth of a Daughter) is held at the family home or at the synagogue on a day other than Shabbat.

For additional information please contact Rabbi Natan Halevy.

Bar/Bat Mitzvahs

At Kahal Joseph Bar and Bat Mitzvah ceremonies are held for both boys and girls.

Our Clergy are ready and eager to prepare the B’nai Mitzvah for their rite of passage, and to mark their formal recognition as young adults in the Jewish community.    They will help your family plan and share the process of participating in one of Judaism’s greatest mitzvot: for a boy, that of leading the congregation in prayer and being called to read from the Torah, and for a girl that of delivering a dvar torah to the congregation.

If you have questions or if you would like to schedule your child’s Bar or Bat Mitzvah, please contact Rabbi Natan Halevy.

Engagement and Wedding

Celebrating the love of two people beneath the chuppah (marriage canopy) is one of life’s greatest joys and Judaism’s most treasured observances. Our Rabbi is delighted to meet with the couple preparing for marriage and is eager to both discuss the wedding ceremony and help couples prepare for married life. A Shabbat Hathan can also be planned with our clergy (On the Shabbat preceding the wedding, the Hathan is invited to the tebah at morning services for an Aliyah in honor of the upcoming Simha).

For additional information please contact Rabbi Natan Halevy.

End of Life, Funeral, Mourning and Unveiling

When congregants or their loved ones experience illness, approach the end of life, or have died, Kahal Joseph is there to provide support, comfort, and assistance. Our clergy are on call to speak and meet with our congregants and their family members, visit loved ones in hospitals or nursing homes, and guide the process of preparing for a funeral. Our volunteer community will also provide outreach and support during a time of illness or bereavement.

For guidance surrounding Jewish mourning rituals—including the observance of Shiva (the first seven days of mourning), Sheloshim (the first thirty days of bereavement), Yahrzeit (the yearly anniversary of a loved one’s passing), and unveiling (when a gravestone is dedicated on the 11th month after burial), please contact Rabbi Natan Halevy.