Life events

These are the key Jewish life events, rituals, ceremonies and services offered by Bromly Reform Synagogue.

Brit and baby naming

We are happy to welcome children into the world and the Jewish community.

Boys: In the Jewish tradition, boys have a brit, a ritual circumcision, at eight days. In our community, a doctor who acts as a mohel does this. While the brit includes circumcision, the ceremony includes the naming of the child. Most commonly, the ceremony takes place in the home, but it is possible for this to happen at the mohel’s surgery as well. The rabbi and mohel are available to discuss the religious implications of the decision to circumcise. Please contact us well in advance of the expected delivery date so that we may be of assistance. 

Girls: Many families choose to have a ceremony in their home called a simchat bat, at which their daughter receives a name, is welcomed by family and friends into the world and the Jewish community. The rabbi is delighted to discuss this in greater detail. 

Both boys and girls may be named publicly at baby naming during a synagogue service, whether or not they had a private brit or simchat bat. Afterwards, families are encouraged to celebrate with the synagogue community by hosting a celebratory kiddush (refreshments).  

B’nei mitzvah

Becoming a bar mitzvah (for a boy) or a bat mitzvah (for a girl) is a coming of age ceremony but it is about more than simply being able to say ‘today I am an adult!’ Through one-to-one study with a volunteer tutor, regular meetings with the rabbi and community service projects, each student is encouraged and supported in their spiritual, intellectual and moral growth. 

Ee expect families and children to participate in cheder and synagogue life for at least a couple of years before their bnei mitzvah.

Girls and boys are treated equally in our programme, as are men and women in synagogue life in general. For brevity, and to avoid binary references, we refer in writing to the bar/bat mitzvah (both the person and the ceremony) as b’mitzvah or BM. Typically, each student prepares the Torah portion, including a personal translation and drasha (explanation), the Haftarah and various prayers with the tutor, while the rabbi offers guidance to both.

We recognise that each child is different, and seek to reflect that in the preparation for the ceremony and during the service on the day. Please feel free to share with the rabbi and/or tutor any special needs that your child may have. By becoming BM, one assumes more responsibility, both for oneself and for the care of the greater community.

Anyone may have a BM at any age. If you did not have one as a child, for whatever reason, you are most welcome to study and celebrate with us. Adults who wish to have a second BM at age 83 are also encouraged to do so.

Conversion

 Classes are available for those interested in converting to Judaism. The course lasts for at least 12 months, and aims to make the conversion process welcoming and illuminating.  People only join the conversion if they are familiar with our shabbat services over several months and having started Jewish practices at home.

Conversion is approved during a meeting with the Reform Beit Din (Jewish Court) on the recommendation of the convert’s sponsor, usually our own rabbi. Once people have been approved for conversion, they are treated by the community exactly as if they were born Jews, and encouraged to participate fully in the life of the community.

Please contact Rabbi Laura Janner-Klausner for more information. For general information on conversion, please visit Conversion to Judaism

Marriage

We are delighted to help with your wedding. While we are able to host both the ceremony and the reception, we recognise that some couples prefer or need to use facilities elsewhere. Our rabbi and marriage secretary are happy to travel, within reason, so please discuss your requirements and they will do their best to help.  

In addition to the ceremony, the rabbi may offer premarital counselling. This is a chance for couples to escape the stress of preparing a party and focus on what really matters, the life that they want to build together.

Burial

The synagogue can assist you through this sensitive and uncomfortable time. Membership of Bromley Reform Synagogue includes membership of the Jewish Joint Burial Society (JJBS), which draws members from Progressive, Masorti and independent synagogues. This means that your funeral expenses will be covered so long as you choose to use the JJBS’s services. Flexible arrangements are available to cater for joint burials, woodland burials, burials involving a non-Jewish partner and cremations.

BRS owns plots locally, at the Jewish burial ground at Kemnal Park. Please contact us for further details.

For general information about the life events mentioned on this page, please visit Reform Judaism Lifecycle Rituals