Brit Milah/Habat
What does the Hebrew word brit mean?
covenant, promise or agreement
What does bar/bat mitzvah mean?
son/daughter of the commandment
What is the name of the wedding canopy that represents the wedding couple's new home?
Chuppah
How long after a Jewish person dies does the funeral typically take place?
When possible, the next day after death.
What is typically the 1st step in the process of converting to Judaism?
Meeting with a Rabbi.
Jewish babies are given two kinds of names when they are born. What are they?
An English name and a Hebrew name.
At what age do Jewish children become bar/bat mitzvah?
13 years old (12 years old for girls in more religious communities)
What action does each member of the wedding couple take to symbolize their new family circle?
They walk around each other in a circle 7 times.
Traditionally, what do mounters tear as a physical representation of their pain and grief?
Their clothing or a kriah ribbon.
What is the name of the Jewish court that people converting to Judaism go to?
Beit Din
How many days after a male baby is born does the Brit Milah ceremony take place?
8 days
What is an example of a Jewish privilege or responsibility that a person takes on after becoming bar/bat mitzvah?
being counted in a minyan, fasting on Yom Kippur, being honored with an Aliyah and/or chanting from the Torah
During the Kiddushin, or engagement ceremony, what do the wedding couple present each other with?
Rings made of solid metal to represent an eternal partnership.
How many days does shiva last after a person has died?
7 days or the first week after a person dies.
What is the name of the ritual bath, representing re-birth and renewal, that people converting to Judaism often visit?
Mikveh
What is the name of the person with special medical training and knowledge of Jewish law, who preforms circumcisions, called?
A mohel
What is the name of the ancient melody used to chant from the Torah scroll and the haftarah (selection from the Book of Prophets?)
Trope
What is the name of the wedding contract signed by the wedding couple and two witnesses?
Ketubah
Mirrors
How can someone who is learning to be Jewish start to get the hang of Jewish rituals and practices?
By participating in Jewish life at home and at their synagogue.
What is the job of the Sandek during the Brit Milah/Habat ceremony?
The Sandek holds the baby during the ceremony.
d'var Torah
How many blessings are offered to the wedding couple during the Nissu'in, or wedding ceremony?
7 blessings or sheva brachot
The unveiling of the headstone takes place 12 months after the burial. What do we light every year on the anniversary of the persons death?
A yahrtzeit candle that burns for 25 hours.
How long does it typically take to convert to Judaism?
There is no set timeline. Each person's conversion process is different.
Who is usually given the honor of carrying the baby into the ceremony?
The kvater and kvaterin, aka the baby's godparents.
What do students becoming bar/bat mitzvah do to give back to their communities and make their ceremony more meaningful?
They complete a mitzvah or service project and volunteer for a cause they care about.
What does the wedding couple smash at the conclusion of the wedding ceremony?
What do we place on the headstone when we visit a loved one in a Jewish cemetery?
A stone, as a visual reminder that the person is not alone.
What do people who convert to Judaism get to choose (since they didn't receive one at birth?)
A Hebrew name