Life Cycle Events
A significant aspect of Judaism is being part of a community, which prays and learns together, celebrates joyous occasions together, and supports each other during difficult times. According to Jewish tradition, life cycle events are observed communally, including welcoming a new child into the world and into Judaism, celebrating a bar or bat mitzvah, the new beginning of a wedding or a conversion, or the loss of a member of the community. These life cycle events are integral elements of our spiritual and communal rituals.
Beth David values the importance of celebrating occasions such as brit milah and baby namings, bar and bat mitzvahs, Conversions, auf rufs and anniversaries in our daily and Shabbat services. We mark members' passing and yarzheits in those services as well. Our clergy team is available to members for all life cycle events.
For more information about conducting Life Cycle events at Beth David, please contact Joel Berger, Executive Director, at jberger@bethdavidmiami.org or 305.854.3911 x203. In the event of an after-hours pastoral emergency, please call the synagogue office at 305.854.3911, which will direct you to the emergency contact person.
Brit Milah and Baby Naming
Bringing a new baby into the world is both a celebration for parents and family members and a communal simcha as we welcome him or her into the "family" and covenant of the Jewish people.
For more information about conducting a brit milah or baby naming at Beth David, contact rabbi@bethdavidmiami.org or call 305.854.3911 x206.
Bar and Bat Mitzvah
At the age of twelve or thirteen, the bar or bat mitzvah transitions from childhood into Jewish adulthood, during which he or she takes responsibility for his or her Jewish identity. Like any graduation or commencement celebration, it is the culmination of one era of study and the beginning of lifetime of learning.
For information on bar and bat mitzvah preparation, requirements and planning, please contact rabbi@bethdavidmiami.org or 305.854.3911 x206.
Conversion
If you are interested in conversion, we welcome you and invite you to learn and pray with us. Rabbi Epelbaum works with students and conducts classes in both English and Spanish. For more information, contact rabbi@bethdavidmiami.org or call 305.854.3911 x206.
Auf Ruf
In the weeks preceding the wedding ceremony, the couple is honored during a Shabbat service with an aliyah to the Torah, during which they are showered with blessings by family, friends and the congregation as they celebrate this momentous occasion together.
Wedding
The joy of two individuals coming together in marriage is both a personal and intimate experience as well as a communal festivity filled with celebration and tradition. The officiating clergy guides the couple in creating a meaningful ceremony incorporating both Jewish ritual and components representing the couple's personal taste and character. The clergy helps prepare the couple not only for the wedding day, but for life as a married couple, guiding them on how to build a Jewish life and home together.
For more information on weddings at Beth David, contact jberger@bethdavidmiami.org or call 305.854.3911 x203.
Funeral and Unveiling
In addition to providing care and support to mourners during times of loss, our rabbi and cantor are available to officiate at funerals and unveilings for synagogue families, and to assist in Jewish mourning practices in the following days of shiva.
For more information, please contact rabbi@bethdavidmiami.org, cantor@bethdavidmiami.org or 305.854.3911 . In the event of an after-hours pastoral emergency, please contact the synagogue office, which will direct you to the phone number of the emergency contact person.