Being a small congregation, we coordinate life cycle events with our Rabbi’s visits, with other Jewish organizations here in the Brazos Valley, or bring in the appropriate religious resource from either Houston or Austin.
Brit Milah
The Torah commands us to circumcise our newborn sons on the eight day of their new lives. This powerful ceremony celebrates new life, and also brings our sons into Judaism’s sacred covenant. Our congregation can put you in touch with a Mohel (ritual circumciser),help the parents understand the ceremony, and co-officiate, along with the Mohel.
Baby Naming/Simchat Bat
We celebrate the great blessing of a newborn daughter with a ceremony that brings her into the covenant, and confers upon her a Hebrew name. Our congregation can help you think through and design this ceremony, which can take place either at home, or at the synagogue, on a Shabbat, or any day the Torah is read (Monday, Thursday, Festivals, Rosh Chodesh).
Bar/Bat Mitzvah
Bar/Bat Mitzvah students are moving from childhood to adulthood, from learning to be responsible to being responsible. As son or daughter of the commandments, you commit yourself to be proud membership in our ancient people.
As a parent of a future Bar/Bat Mitzvah student, here is a link to our congregation’s Bar/Bat Mitzvah Handbook to help familiarize yourself with some of our traditions. We are here to help.
Wedding
Our congregation can help you prepare for this wonderful, joyous occasion, by teaching bride and groom the meaning of the ceremony, from Ketubah (marriage document), to Kiddushin (Engagement) to Huppah (Marriage Canopy) to Nissuin (marriage ceremony) to breaking the glass. We also counsel you, offering Jewish wisdom in preparation for a life dedicated to love and companionship. We also work with you in designing the ceremony, providing our knowledge and experience.
Funeral
Our tradition offers several powerful end of life rituals – Kriah (tearing of a garment), Levayah (funeral procession), Hesped (eulogy), Kevurah (burial) and Shivah (seven days of mourning). Our congregation will instruct you on these and other rituals. We can also perform the funeral ceremony, and help you understand and implement other meaningful Jewish mourning practices. As of 2014, Hillier Funeral Home is setup to handle all Jewish funeral needs – even Orthodox. The City of Bryan Cemetery has a properly consecrated Jewish Cemetery. The remaining plots are owned by the Congregation and are available for purchase by Congregation members in good standing. Our policy manual on the facility is here.