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Life Cycle |
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 The lifetime of a Jew consists of several events marked by tradition and custom, from birth through marriage to death. The following notes are intended to provide a little information on each of these events, including marriage and converting to Judaism, having a baby and Bar/Bat Mitzvah, and what to do when and after someone dies.
These notes are not exhaustive, and further comprehensive information can be found on the website of the Movement for Reform Judaism; click here. The notes that follow also include the MNS perspective and guidance on contacting the Synagogue Office for further information.
Since many Jewish life cycle events use the Hebrew calendar, you may find the Gregorian/Hebrew date converter useful; click here.
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Converting to Judaism |
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In our own time, when intermarriage has risen to levels which threaten the future of the Jewish community, the Reform Movement believes it is right to demonstrate a willingness to retain within the community those who wish to preserve their Jewish identity and that of their children, by welcoming non-Jewish spouses who genuinely and sincerely wish to embrace Judaism.
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Getting Married |
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"Therefore a man leaves his father and his mother and cleaves to his wife, and they become one flesh." (Genesis 2:24)
Anyone is eligible to marry in a Reform synagogue providing he/she is Jewish, either by birth or conversion, and free to marry. A Jewish marriage ceremony can only be conducted between two Jews. Middlesex New Synagogue is licensed by the 1949 Marriage Act in order that weddings performed under its auspices are also valid as civil weddings. Marriages which take place in Reform synagogues, but which could have taken place in an Orthodox synagogue, are recognised by the Orthodox religious authorities as de facto valid.
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Having a Baby |
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Brit Milah is the ceremony of circumcision for a son, and for many Jews fulfils a mitzvah ordained in the Bible whilst others see it as an ancient tradition. Circumcision does not confer Jewish status, as in the Reform Movement a child is deemed to be Jewish if his mother alone is Jewish (including women who have undergone conversion to Judaism).
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Bar/Bat Mitzvah |
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A Bar/Bat Mitzvah can be celebrated on any Shabbat following the Hebrew birth date plus one day, although families may want to avoid holding a party at the beginning of the month of Av or during the counting of the Omer (Pesach to Shavuot except Lag B'Omer) in deference to traditional members of the family.
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When Someone Dies |
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Notify the Synagogue Office by telephoning 020 8864 0133 during office hours; at other times contact Rabbi Middleton or the Honorary Warden (telephone numbers in Bimah). If necessary, notify the Joint Jewish Burial Society (JJBS) by telephoning 020 8989 5252 if the deceased is a member, otherwise notify the Synagogue or Burial Society of the deceased.
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