Mary Arden's farm

This is where i really don't have any pictures to show you because M has them. This is where his favorite part is-- the "Heart of England Falconry" They fly owls and hawks and falcons--Oh My! and they have classes on how to hunt with and to care for birds of prey. M was like a little boy in a candy store. We didn't get into the lessons, however M did get to fly and feed a HUGE owl. Enraptured is most definately the word!

Mary Arden was Shakespeare's mother, and the farm place was a working farm up until the 1970s. The tour of the home was fantastic, however there was no picture taking allowed. It was a tudor style home but with 19th century furniture as that is what was there when the last occupent left in the 1970's.

a real post :) finally!

I had a fabulous time in England! M always makes it wonderful for me, both just staying in his flat and going out and playing tourist.

We went to Birmingham, to the city centre, or downtown area and we took pictures. We went in places, such as a church, that is older than the USA. I love the old archetecture and could have spent hours just laying in the middle of the floor noticing all the details. There were garoyles and faces carved out of the stone pillars and the window frames. There were beautiful windows, and one was saved right before a bombing during WWII. We went to a catholic church next and I don't think that I have ever seen so much goldleafing in one place before-was a bit gawdy (Ha! pun intended!)


We then went to a nice downstairs pub for a pub lunch and a pint. I fell in love with Guiness Draught Cold-one pint went quickly and I was tipsy. I had fish and chips as per my usual :) I think that the pub building was also older than the USA judging by the beams and construction.

That is one thing that I both like and worry about, that a lot of their listed or historical buildings are still being used today rather than being an empty museum piece. I worry about the wear and tear done to the building, however as a greedy American tourist, I love that they are still open and that I don't have to pay to get in them.

M had to work a few of the days that I was there, so I would sit on the top deck of the double decker and take pictures and play tourist (I would also go down and make out with my favorite busdriver whilst he was on his breaks, LOL, M and I would give the closed circuit cameras something to watch---oh so naughty we were!)

We went to Stratford-upon-Avon again. For those of you who don't know your English Lit and it's history, that is where William Shakespeare was born, and was married. We went around on a tour bus to 3 of the main historical sites. Last year we tried to cram in as many as we could in less than half the time we had this year. We opted to slow it down this year, mosey around and enjoy the sites.

First stop was Anne Hathaway's cottage.






This was the childhood home of Shakespeare's wife and courted her here. She was 26 years old and he just 18 when they married. The Shakespeares never lived here, nor was it ever Anne's farm house, her decendants were smart in knowing that tourists coming to Stratford would want to see anything still surviving that was related to Shakespeare himself. It was renamed Anne Hathaway's cottage to play on the quiantness of the house and farm. The Gardens are BEAUTIFUL and a horticulturalist's dream, and a gardener's nightmare, LOL!

I am going to end this entry and start the next at Mary Arden's Farm.

I am back in the USA, and here is a filler post until I get 'round to telling you all about my fanastic time in the UK!

Chaotic Good Elf Mage Bard
Follower Of

Alignment:
Chaotic Good characters are independent types with a strong belief in the value of goodness. They have little use for governments and other forces of order, and will generally do their own things, without heed to such groups.

Race:
Elves are the eldest of all races, although they are generally a bit smaller than humans. They are generally well-cultured, artistic, easy-going, and because of their long lives, unconcerned with day-to-day activities that other races frequently concern themselves with. Elves are, effectively, immortal, although they can be killed. After a thousand years or so, they simply pass on to the next plane of existance.

Primary Class:
Mages harness the magical energies for their own use. Spells, spell books, and long hours in the library are their loves. While often not physically strong, their mental talents can make up for this.

Secondary Class:
Bards are the entertainers. They sing, dance, and play instruments to make other people happy, and, frequently, make money. They also tend to dabble in magic a bit.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
This sounds a lot like my favorite character, Sylva Myst. She was a Silver elf, and a Ranger-Mage.

At least I didn't come up as an Ogre, Like my complete opposite character Ovax Grox

I love England

Yesterday, M and I went to a great little restaurant and had a romantic meal by candle-light. Afterwards, we met up with M's folks and went to see The Pirates of the Carribean, Dead man's chest. It was fantasic.

I loved the most though was the ride back to M's flat. He and I sat in the back of his parent's car and I watched out the window. I love this city at night. the lights are different colors from back in the states, and they have road markers that are these white plasticy thing with lights in them. I get such a kick out of it. even the car headlights are different in their brightness. the low beams look like a small candle was put in it.

Today I went out shopping, and it was somewhat familiar using the pound based currency. I do alright for making correct change when I don't have a huge line of shoppers behind me. I love listening to people talk. and talk about the mundane things like how their Mum's car is a green Corsa. Or that loaf of bread is tasty. Or that child is naughty. I love soaking up the accent. It can be a bit musical to my ears.

I am cleaning around the flat whilst M is out at work, and down below is a big city bus stop, and when I take breaks I watch the busses and people going here and there. It amazes me that these huge double decker busses can travel around on thses narrow little roads made for cars that are no bigger than a breadbox.

I really do love this country, and I am glad that England will always be a part of my life.

And she surfaces for air!

I made it to England just fine, very little turbulence, but the plane was PACKED!! I had some nice east Indian men that sat next to me that mostly conversed in their language, but were pleasant when i needed something. I was scared shitless that I'd get held up at immigration and sent back because I was going to see my fiance'.
"purpse of visit?"
"pleasure"
"By pleasure you mean?"
"I am visiting my fiance' and his parentsfor 27 days and then I am going to go back to the US on the 23 of August."
"What was the reason that you were held up last time?" looks at my passport again.
"I believe that it was because I had never met my fiance', was staying for 6 weeks and that they might have been worried that i was staying to get married, which i was not and my fiance; and I have a K-1 Visa for him to come to the USA to me and get married over there."
"27 days here, right?"
"yes, I am going back to the States on the 23rd of august."
"Ok, enjoy your stay!--Next"
------WHEW-----
but as fate would have it, I had one piece of lost luggage. But that arrived the next day via courrier. Poor M, he was a bundle of nerves waiting for me because he had no idea why I had been held up. He was nearly in tears when he saw me and that i was ok!
but that wasn't all...The McDonald's cold burger gave me a bit of food poisoning and I spent the next 2 days fevering, and running to the bathroom, and sleeping. On the 3rd fullday I was much better.
So then with me feeling much better, M and I got to making each other feeling a lot better :) 9 months apart and I felt like I was a virgin again---really. I thought that I was joking that I had cobwebs down there--but i really wasn't. M said that I felt like a virgin. SO i guess really without using it, holes can grow shut!! Amazing because I have had 2 babies pass through there!!!
so I am "relearning to ride this bike again"

Besides that, I love being back in the UK, and being around the accent all the time rather than listening to it on the TV. I love riding on the double deckers and seeing all the lovely gardens and flowers boxes in the roundabout islands.
I saw M's mum yesterday and she hugged me and cried when she saw me....I really love her too, today was a family meal over at his parents and I got to hug and see his dad. We had a great day today.

Now we are off to be and if there is any luck :):):) there will be more relearning or riding that bike!!!

TODAY IS THE DAY!!!!

I leave for England today!!!!! In the last 36 hours I have only slept 3 hours---excited? moi?! LOL

I went yesterday to get my hair colored and cut...I really like it when I have it put up in the french twist with the ends doing a multi-colored pom-pom thing...but it looks quite similar to how I had my color before. Dark brown around the bottom and blonde on top, and my bangs are mostly the brown with a little blonde. I'll get used to it, I hope...if not it will all go the dark mahogany. M, I hope you like it.

Bags packed--check
plane tix--check
passport--check
ID's in various forms-- check
Pictures of the kids--check
drawings from the kids--check
M's dragon necklace--I am wearing it
traveling $$--check
now it is just waiting and hoping that the storms around here blow over and my plane can take off on or near time...

Woot!!!!

Next time I write I will be in Jolly ol' England! ( I hope!)

Even Better News!

Today I got notice that the USCIS has gotten another bit of info needed and that according to their processing dates--we may only have 50 or less days to wait until he is approved!!! Woot!

Oh, and yeah, M has 2 PCs and he will surely let me use them and blog all my great adventures in the UK.

Woo hoo! I leave in a day!

I just hope that I don't arrive there with my skin peeling...I spent almost the entire day at the pool swimming with my kids since it will be the last full day that we can spend at the pool. Tomorrow I will be getting my hair colored and cut. So no chlorine for my hair, and no swimming with the fish, I mean, kids. (I will miss that with the kids while I am gone, as we spent most of this summer in the pool. Oh Goodness, and there was a sharp pang of momma guilt of leaving my kids for a month, the first of many i am sure) then I need to pack. and pack for my kids for when they go off to stay with their dad--Grandma and Grandpa providing the transportation--Thank you Mom and Dad! Busy busy day tomorrow, but MW is here to spend some time and she willbe a great help I am sure. MW has had a good time so far, and has Chatted with MS and he said that he missed her, so a little time away might repair things---we can only hope...

Anyway, I must stop rambling and get some sleep for the busy busy day!!!

the good news

I get to see M in less than 50 hours!!! I get to see M in less than 50 hours!!! I get to see M in less than 50 hours!!! I get to see M in less than 50 hours!!! I get to see M in less than 50 hours!!!I get to see M in less than 50 hours!!! I get to see M in less than 50 hours!!!

I will be landing in the UK on the 27th at 0655 GMT or that is 12:55am Central standard USA, 1:55am for my florida reader, and 11:55pm on the 26th for my Utah reader.

I miss M sooooo much. I can't wait to see him, and hold him and kiss him and other fun adult activities :)

I will get to spend just over 27 days with him, and he has some touristy things planned. However, I do have to be kind of sad because I really wanted to go to London, via one of those 200 mph bullet trains. Then spend 2 days there, playing, and I want to go to the Whitechaple area where Jack the Ripper did his ripperings---I am so morbid, but I am ABSOLUTELY facinated by it. Have a Pint at the Ten Bells, make myself go across Tower Bridge, and listen to Big Ben clang away. Problem---his babies--Bubble and Baby---his two cats. Apparently there are no reasonably priced kittie hotels near him, and his mother won't look after them for two days as they would have to stay at his flat, and she would have to come over once a day and feed and water them. She doesn't think that it is fair to the cats to be left alone for 2 days....I differ with that opinion as cats are very independent creatures and can survive very well when let to their own devices. So no London...this is the only chance that we would honestly ever get to go to London, as the next time that we go back to the UK, we will have the kids and we will be wanting to spend time with grandpa and grandma, not taking long trips around, lugging kids, bags, toys, and the rest of the "things" that my children just "can't" travel without. That sounds like no fun at all. *sigh*

I do hope that since they are legal over in the UK, that I get to smoke another Cuban cigar, and I really really want to try the Impressionists' drink of choice--Absinthe!

M has plans to go to a place in his city that sells lots of jewelry, and we can pick out our rings. I really would like a small, inexpensive silver ring, perhaps done in a Celtic knot. M likes big chunky man rings....I wonder how we will find a set??

What I am really wishing is that or Visa petition gets approved whilst I am over there, we go to London for his interview and I go into the interview with him and pipe up in my American midwestern twang and say that yes sirree bob, i luv 'em and I want to get hitched to that fine young feller sat down right there next ta me. Just as added proof that yes indeed we are getting married for love :) he can have his medical, we get the ok from the Brits and we manage to get it together enough, get the mover set up, the cat mover set up, pack up and he flies back home with me. *sigh* however we couldn't get married right away because we have to wait for him to get a SSN. That would be in September....out of all of the months in the year, that is the one we won't get married in...even if all it is just quick I do's for the legal wedding...September is out. I like September, my daughter was born in September. M was married in Sept and 2 years and a few days later his divorce was finalized. so September won't work. However I will be exstatic to have him here with me :)

I am going to England! I am going to England! I am going to England! I am going to England! I am going to England! I am going to England! I am going to England!

I am going to have some proper tea and scones, or tea and crumpets. Oo and fish and chips from a proper chippie, with a pint of English beer. Oh and a kebab--mmmm kebabs! I am going to be riding on double decker busses again, on the wrong side of the road. I'll be going round 187848913465981347 roundabouts and traffic calmers and zebra humped crossings. Listening to the sounds of daily English life in their different English accents--I like the posh sounding accents, but i am partial to Brummy. I get to see his parents again----Ooo i really really like my soon-to-be in-laws--Woo Hoo!

.....now i just need to finish packing :)

the bad news

my good friends MS and MW are breaking up. They have been together for 8 years and lived together for 7. He is through, he doesn't love her anymore and he told her that there is no fixing it. She is in a world of shock and pain, as they did everything together. Their dreams of graduating from college and moving to Florida and work at the Mouse House in Orlando are perhaps no more. for nearly 7 years they have been working towards this goal.

I am shock and stunned myself. I am friends with both and I feel torn. I hate that this is happening and I hate that my friends are hurting.

I wish that i had a magic wand and *POOF* make everything all better. But I can't, so I'll be the best of a friend to both that i can be.

Brit Shalom- A Covenant of Peace

The following is not my writings, but a very eloquently written post copy and pasted with permission from Leigh at a parenting board that i frequent. Thank you Leigh for your insight and knowledge:
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Hi all... I am 33 yo old mom to 13 yo Zachary and 16 mo Julian. I was raised in a very traditional Jewish family- I attended hebrew day school, hebrew high, had a bat mitzvah, went to synagogue every Saturday, celebrated Shabbat every Friday..... so, when I had my first son, I didn't consider NOT circumcising him and had a brit milah in which he was circumcised.

When I was pregnant with my 2nd child, I prayed that I would have a girl because I knew that I would NOT circumcise this child and didn't want to deal with the issue of circumcision with my family. Needless to say, I had a boy. I am at a point in my life where I strongly reject any organized religion but embrace god/goddess/spirit/humanity. My parents, however, are very traditional and feel very strongly about the "tradition" of circumcision. My dad sat down with me and explained, in great detail, how important circumcision was to him, and why he felt it played such an important role in Judaism. In response to that conversation, I did a lot of research and prepared the following presentation for him, called Brit Shalom, or Covenant of Peace. I am very happy to say that I am so PROUD of how well my dad responded, how he respected me and my decision, and especially that he held my son in his Talis during Julian's Welcoming Ceremony, in which he was NOT circumcised. I love you dad



BRIT SHALOM
A Covenant of Peace

According to Jewish law (halakha):
ANY BOY BORN TO A JEWISH MOTHER IS A JEW. IN NO BRANCH OF JUDAISM IS A CHILD REQUIRED TO BE CIRCUMCISED TO BE JEWISH. HE IS JEWISH BY THE FACT THAT HE IS BORN TO A JEWISH MOTHER.

Most Jews never question circumcision and believe it is anti-Semitic to do so. Judaism is, however, a religion of questioning. It is not similar to Christianity where the epitome of faith is blind faith without questioning.

Gil Mann, a Jewish Columnist comments:
“Questions about faith are not unique. They are very Jewish. For thousands of years, Jews have struggled with many of the same questions. Questioning about God is very much part of our tradition. We’re called People of Israel. The word Israel in Hebrew means wrestler or struggler with God. So if you struggle with questions about God, you’re living up to your namesake.”


A Jewish prayer book, Gates of Prayer, contains a meditation called “Doubt”.
“Cherish your doubts, for doubt is the handmaiden of truth. Doubt is the key to the door of knowledge. It is the servant of discovery. A belief which may not be questioned binds us to error, for there is incompleteness and imperfection in every belief. Doubt is the touchstone of truth. It is an acid which eats away the false… Those who would silence doubt are filled with fear. The house of their spirit is built on shifting sands. But they that fear not doubt, and know its use, are founded on a rock. They shall walk in the light of growing knowledge. The work of their hands shall endure. Therefore, let us not fear doubt, but let us rejoice in its help; it is to the wise as a staff is to the blind. Doubt is the handmaiden of truth.”

Many parents insist on the Brit Mila because it is commanded in the Torah. However, they overlook many other laws that were commanded as well. The 613 mitzvot contain many regarding animal sacrifice which is no longer practiced today. There are also the mitzvot against imprinting any marks on one’s body or making cutting in one’s flesh. Cutting off part of a baby’s genitals flies in the face of these mitvot.


Exodus and Leviticus both set forth harsh laws as well, many which have been abandoned.

• He who strikes his mother or father shall be put to death (Exodus 21:15)

• He who insults his father or his mother shall be put to death (Exodus 21:17)

• If a man commits adultery with a married woman, committing adultery with another man’s wife, the adulterer and the adulteress shall be put to death (Leviticus 20:10)

Other examples which are expected to be followed meticulously include:

• Once a tree is planted, its fruit must not be eaten for 5 years (Leviticus 19:23)

• You shall not put on a cloth from a mixture of 2 kinds of materials (Leviticus 19:19)


Leviticus 18:19 demands “Do not come near a woman during her period of uncleanliness to uncover her nakedness. Leviticus 20:18 states “If a man lies with a woman in her infirmity and uncovers her nakedness, he has laid bare her flow and she has exposed her blood flow; both of them shall be cut off from among their people.”

Many of these laws have been disregarded by contemporary Jews. Typically, only Orthodox Jews follow laws regarding menstrual purity, which, like brit milah, are commanded in the 613 mitzvot. In fact, Unlike the Sabbath and kashrut, the laws of family purity are virtually unknown to non-Orthodox Jews. It is, however, important to note the similarity between the consequences of both not circumcising and having intercourse with a menstruating woman. One who fails to circumcise the flesh of his skin “shall be cut off from his kin” where as one comes in contact with menstrual blood as well as the menstruating woman “shall be cut off from among their people.” Whereas the family purity laws have been abandoned by the majority of Jews, the circumcision law, however, has not even though their consequences are extremely similar.


While many circumcise because it is commanded in the Torah, the procedure they are doing is not actually biblical. Jewish babies today do not undergo the same procedure Abraham & Jacob did. Originally, only the small piece of foreskin that hung over the glands was cut which actually left the majority of the foreskin intact.

Rabbis sought to prevent Jews from hiding their circumcisions and therefore their Jewish identity by drastically altering the required procedure for brit milah.

In about 140 CE, Jewish law was altered so that radical circumcisions called Periah must be performed. Periah consists of the complete stripping and shearing of the foreskin. While many turn to the Torah as proof that the brit is required, the brit that is performed today is not the same as what God required of Abraham. Prior to 140 CE, circumcision was much milder and only removed a sliver of the foreskin. Metzitzah- sucking the baby’s blood from the wound- was a long standing and essential part of the ceremony until about the end of the 19th century.

In Genesis, circumcision is referred to as “the covenant between me and you and your offspring to follow which you shall keep.” However, a covenant is a mutual pledge, which an 8 day old infant is too young to understand. Therefore, by entering a child into that covenant they are taking away the child’s free will, and he is not allowed to decide for himself how to act.

“The Jewish view is that humans have the free moral will to choose the Good and this free moral will can be more powerful than the evil inclination. Indeed, Jewish ethics required the idea than humans decide for themselves how to act (“The Difference Between Judaism & Christianity”).

Advocating Circumcision Today (ACT), a Jewish organization states “another form of sacrifice by circumcision is the self-sacrifice involved. Many mitzvoth require sacrifice, sometimes even fasting and abstinence from food and drink. The greatest sacrifice, however, is that of a part of the body.” The brit milah, however, is not a self sacrifice.

Two of the greatest strengths of Judaism are its rationality and its commitment to learning and scholarship. Another is the tradition of gemilut Chasidim, acts of loving kindness, and the prohibition of deliberately causing pain.

This concept of sacrifice is in opposition with the Torah. Jewish law also forbids causing Tsa’ar Ba’alei Chaim, or pain in living things. However, circumcision is very painful. A sop of wine or even modern anesthesia during the operation is no solution to the pain problem. The wound continues to sting whenever urine enters it until it heals- 10 to 14 days later.


Gil Man writes “A bris is the oldest ritual in Judaism. For countless generations, our people have followed this tradition and wouldn’t want to be the person to break the chain. However, Judaism advocates an attempt to repair the world, tikun olam, which is a central purpose of Judaism. Much of the pain in the world is a result of repeating old harmful patterns of behavior by breaking a chain of pain; foregoing circumcision contributes to our healing. As we heal from our pain, we will be better able to reach our ethical and spiritual potential. Certainly tradition keeps Judaism alive but so does inquiry, dialogue, and well thought out alteration.”

Even in Israel there are Jewish organizations that oppose brit milah. One non-profit organization in Israel working to stop circumcision took its case to the High Court of Justice in 1998 and maintained in its petition that “in a modern democratic society there is no place for the barbaric ceremony which mauls a child who does not have any say in the matter”. The movement is largely made up of Reform parents, but it is visible in other areas as well. Moshe Rothenberg is a Conservative Jew living in an observant Jewish community in Brooklyn, yet he did not circumcise his son. The Af-milah newsletter is an Israeli newsletter dedicated to ending brit milah. Those who question and refuse to have a brit milah aren’t doing it because they have assimilated or because they are anti-Semitic, but feel this way after careful study of Jewish texts and observances.

Whether or not it conflicts with other Jewish principles, circumcision is still considered a quintessential Jewish act, a symbol of the covenant between God and the Jewish people and a primary emblem of Jewish identity. Questioning circumcision, however, is also a Jewish tradition. Thus, a decision not to circumcise an infant, but to observe the covenant through a symbolic ceremony instead of a traditional one, can also be a Jewish decision which follows with traditional Judaism. Parents who refuse are not merely disregarding a Jewish tradition, but are embracing the Jewish tradition of questioning and understanding.

Circumcision is a poor way to introduce a newborn male into the world and into the Jewish community. In addition, it completely excludes females from participating in a sacred ritual (thank God). From the start it relegates females as being less important than males as historically there has been no equivalent ceremony to welcome newborn Jewish female babies. That Judaism is a very patriarchal religion is no secret and that little boys are given such prominence in Jewish life and ritual is not surprising. For Jewish feminists, a brit milah is a girl’s first major experience of exclusion. The exclusion continues: women are often excluded from meaningful participation in religious life. Women may be called “Queen” or may be put on a pedestal but an Orthodox man still thanks God every morning for not having been created a woman.

Circumcision cannot be claimed as a symbol of Jewish identity. By Jewish law, any child born to a Jewish mother is a Jew. Furthermore, Judaism did not invent circumcision. According to anthropologists, the practice was well established in Egypt over 6,000 years ago. Muslims also circumcise and 60% of non-Jews in the U.S. are circumcised. Therefore, how can circumcision be claimed as either the source of Jewish identity or of its strength?

Many people invoke the power of “tradition”. Yet no-one would deny that some traditions, such as slavery, segregation, and female circumcisions are bad traditions that should be changed.


“A voice from heaven should be ignored if it is not on the side of justice”
- Isaac Bashevis Singer

One might reasonably ask why it is that the vast majority of Jews who show no particular attachment to the details of the Jewish covenant so tenaciously defend this particular commandment. Many committed Jews, especially women who feel that they have been left out of meaningful participation of religious life, are creating new rituals and adding to, subtracting from, or enriching existing ones.

Many parents are seeking an alternative to circumcision while still welcoming him into the covenant of Abraham. Several alternative bris ceremonies have been created which fulfill the spiritual and communal obligations without its traumatic effects. These ceremonies lovingly welcome a Jewish boy into the community while maintaining his bodily integrity and his human rights.

Norm Cohen, director of NOCIRC, has written an alternative bris ceremony to use which holds very closely to the traditional ceremony. “We’re working within the Jewish faith and the concepts of Judaism to make it more humane.”

Some Jews may question alternative rituals, but according to Rabbi Eugene Cohen, 80% of American Jewish circumcisions already do not meet the ritual standards. In addition, the religious ritual should be performed with the “appropriate mindset”. But this cannot be forced. Many Jews circumcise their sons with great emotional conflict, reluctance and regret. “The alternative ritual allows for congruence of intention, attitude, action and feeling.”

In the name of Ahavat Yisrael- love of Jews, love of all people, love of God- we must not do anything hurtful to another human being, including and especially our children. It is essential to evaluate an idea not solely based on its conformity with the Torah, but also in light of its agreement with reason and experience. I raise questions about Jewish circumcision with the understanding that these questions and doubts can cause feelings of grief. I respect these feelings and acknowledge the profound place that circumcision has in Jewish tradition. However, I am compelled to break the silence that supports circumcision and raise these questions out of deep caring and compassion for my son.



Sources:
• “Questioning Circumcision: A Jewish Perspective” by Ronald Goldman
• The Kindest Uncut” by Michael S. Kimmel
• The Israeli Association Against Brit Milah
• “A Delicate Ritual” by Blair Pollock
• Jewsagainstcircumcision.org
• “Ending Circumcision in the Jewish Community” by Moshe Rothenberg
• “The Jewish Roots of Anti-Circumcision Arguments” by Lisa Bramer Moss
• “The Joy of Brit Shalom” by Brandy Sinco
• “Redefining the Sacred” by Miriam Pollock


BRIS SHALOM
Welcoming Covenant

Introductory Blessing & Prayers

Candle lighting
Baruch ata Adonai, Elohaynu melech ha-olam borei mo’rei ha-eish
Let us bless the Source of All, who creates the illuminations of the flame

Parent There is a new light in our hearts and in our home. These candles celebrate the birth of our child. These candles celebrate his emergence into light.

Kiddush Baruch kol khai olam
Precious is every living thing in the world

B’ru-kheem ha-kha-yeem ba-adam
Precious is the life of humankind

Blessings In every birth, blessed is the wonder
In every creation, blessed is the new beginning
In every child, blessed is life
In every hope, blessed is the potential
In every transition, blessed is the beginning
In every existence, blessed are the possibilities
In every love, blessed are the tears
In every life, blessed is the love

Parent With each child the world begins anew. By this ceremony, we formally welcome you to our world and our family. As we name you today, we undertake our traditional responsibilities as your parents to take you forward into the world as we know it, to love you, to guide you, to educate you, and to cherish you.

Reader We dedicate you to Chuppah- to never ending growth as a human being, capable of giving and receiving love. With loving family and friends, you will never be alone.

Reader We dedicate you to Ma-asim tovim- to a never-ending concern for family and community, justice and charity. While you care for others, you will never be alone.

Reader As you begin your journey through life, we pray that you will find sustenance in ma-yim cha-yim, the living waters which Judaism offers to all who draw from the well of this tradition. May we learn and grow in these traditions together.

Speaker We are gathered here today following a century which has given us profound and unprecedented insight into our humanity, in which we have learned that each of us is fully human from the moment we are born, able to feel and able to remember all the richness of each and every moment’s experience.

But this century has also given cruelty of unprecedented proportion. Given both the insight and the brutality of our century, we are inevitably led to conclude that there must be no more bloodshed in God’s name. We continue where Abraham left off: We shall do the child no harm.

Parent Here we are, ready to enter our child into the covenant with history, in the tradition of the many peoples he was born into and will be raised and nurtured by.

We thank God for the birth of this beautiful child into the world and into this family. We offer ourselves this day as caretakers of his spirit and his higher mind. May we fulfill with strength our role and may the spirit of this family, from generations past and into the future, burst forth to bless and sustain this child.

Speaker Baruch ha-ba b’shem Afonia- Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.

All Baruch ha-ba
Blessed is the newborn

Reader Blessed is the Universe which makes children whole and beloved as their birthright, which keeps the laws of the world in their flesh, and seals our offspring with the mark of holy promise.

Parent In celebrating this child, we celebrate ourselves and our communities. We thank you God for the birth of our son. We dedicate his life to You, that he may grow in love to become a man strong and wise. May we be the father and mother that You would have us be. Give us patience and wisdom. May our home be blessed and guided by Your will. Thank You for Your faith in us that such a glorious child has been placed in our hands. May he learn from us happiness; may he learn from You everything.

Speaker And now, to you, the parents, I say on behalf of all of us, your prayers are our prayers, that you might have a home that is full of love for you and your children. May he grow to reflect the best in both of you and extend unto the world he touches the love he receives from his mother and father.

Hine Ma-Tov

Speaker Baruch ata Adonai, Elohaynu melech ha-olam asher kidushanu b’mittzvotav v’tzi-vanu al ha brit
Blessed it is that we are made holy with commandments and are charged concerning the covenant

Baruch ata Adonai, Elohaynu melech ha-olam asher kidushanu b’mittzvotav v’tzi-vanu l’hak –niso b’vrito shel Sara v’Avraham
Blessed art Thou, Great Spirit of the Universe, who has commanded us to welcome our son into the covenant of Sarah and Abraham and into the human family

Baruch ata Adonai, Elohaynu melech ha-olam she-heh-cheyanu, v’kiy-manu v’higiyanu lazman ha-zeh
Blessed are you, our Source, light of the Universe, who has given us life, sustained us, and enabled us to reach this season

K-sheym she-nlchnas la-brit, keyn yi-kahnes la-Torah la-Chupah u-l’mah’asim tovim.
As this child enters the Covenant and the community, so may he enter the ways of wisdom, the canopy of love and the doing of good works

Baruch ata Adonai , Elohaynu melech ha-olam bo ray p’ri hagafrn
Blessed art Thou, O Lord Our God, who creates the fruit of the vine.

(Parents sip and then places drop of wine on baby’s lips)

Parents As we prepare to give you your name, we wrap you in this tallit. Praise be the powers of the Universe, which have honored us by sending this child to bless our home and family. We in turn honor this child by bestowing on him the name of :

Name of child
Explanation of names

We have chosen _________ as your Hebrew name in remembrance of ___________. May you always be beloved by your family, be brave as you face the wonders of the world, and be able to spread your wings like a bird to pursue your dreams.

Speaker Lord of all creation, we thank Thee for this child, created in thine image; whole, complete and perfect. We have welcomed him into Thy covenant of peace. Bestow upon him Thy watchful care that he may grow and flourish in the life which Thou hast given. Be Thou with his loving parents and all his family. Grant them all strength and health and length of days. Uphold them in kindness and crown them with Thy favor.

May the Lord bless you and keep you
May his countenance shine upon you and be gracious upon you
May the Lord turn His face upon you and grant you peace

All Amen

Speaker We make a toast with the traditional Kiddush and before we proceed to break bread together, may I invite all who care to, to extend their good wishes to this child.

S’udat Mitzvah, the Celebratory Meal

Blessing over the bread
Baruch ata Adonai, Ehloheinu melech ha-olam, ha-motzi lechem min ha-aretz
Let us bless the Source of All, who provides us with the staff of life