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Tell me about Jewish baby naming ceremonies

MrsPhilDunphyMrsPhilDunphy
in D.C. Area Babies

Because we are invited to one tomorrow and I don't have a clue what to expect. I imagine it's like a christening? Should we bring a gift? Card + money? And if so, how much would you give for a college friend?

I don't have the email invite (it's DH's friend), but evidently there is food and drink afterwards (there is a name for it that I am forgetting). Is this like a party party or more like the equivalent to cookies and coffee in the church basement?

Thanks! Oh! Also, I am assuming that a relatively conservative dress ('Sup, black wrap dress? How you doin'?) with boots and tights is appropriate, but correct me if I'm wrong.

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Re: Tell me about Jewish baby naming ceremonies

  • sjuncfansjuncfan

    I would say it's similar to a christening (though I haven't been to many christenings).  I think the food and drink is usually deli sandwiches or bagels and lox. Not a major party. A gift is by no means necessary but lots of people did bring us gifts to DS's bris (mostly clothes) or checks. If you do money, it's traditional to do a multiple of $18 (I believe it's good luck in Jewish tradition). Most of the checks we got came from friends of my in-laws, and I'd say ranged from $25-$100. A dress or nice slacks is fine (church clothes I guess?)

    I'm actually surprised it's on a Saturday - I thought usually these ceremonies aren't done on the Jewish sabbath.

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  • MrsPhilDunphyMrsPhilDunphy
    imagesjuncfan:

    I'm actually surprised it's on a Saturday - I thought usually these ceremonies aren't done on the Jewish sabbath.

    Yeah, it's at a synagogue at 10am which makes me wonder if it's during services? DH didn't mention that it was but he's also kind of oblivious.

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  • QueSrahQueSrah member
    imageMrsPhilDunphy:
    imagesjuncfan:

    I'm actually surprised it's on a Saturday - I thought usually these ceremonies aren't done on the Jewish sabbath.

    Yeah, it's at a synagogue at 10am which makes me wonder if it's during services? DH didn't mention that it was but he's also kind of oblivious.

    I think that's the point - that it's done during services and not as a standalone event.  (Not that I ever had one for T, but I'm pretty sure a friend did her daughter's naming ceremony as part of the regular Saturday morning service.) 

    Your dress with tights should be fine.  My mom is big on multiples of 18 for the symbolism (in the numerology of the Hebrew alphabet, the word for life adds up to 18), so she'll do $36 or whatever depending on how generous she's feeling.

    imageimageimage
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  • Hey JellisyHey Jellisy
    The ones in our family are very much like Christenings.  My Jewish cousins are considerably older than me so I wasn't at a gift giving age when their children were born.  I am certain my mom gave a card with a check or savings bond, but she was close family.  FWIW, I don't give christening gifts to friends.  If I do, it's just a picture frame which is pretty standard in my circle. 
    image
    From December 29, 2011
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  • MrsPhilDunphyMrsPhilDunphy
    Thanks! Very interesting about the multiples of $18.
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