Our Affiliation

We are affiliated with the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism, the association of Conservative congregations in North America.

Brit Milah means “covenant of circumcision” is a religious ceremony to welcome infant Jewish boys into a covenant between God and the Children of Israel through ritual circumcision performed by a mohel (“circumciser”), on the eighth day of the child’s life unless health reasons force a delay.

Bar & Bat Mitzvah

These are the terms that describe the coming of age of a Jewish boy or girl (generally at age thirteen years for boys and twelve or thirteen for girls). At this age our tradition holds that they become responsible for their actions, as they “become a Bar or Bat Mitzvah”, as until this age a child’s parents have been responsible for their child’s adherence to Jewish law and tradition. Once becoming a Bar or Bat Mitzvah, children become eligible to participate in all areas of Jewish community life.

The Bar/Bat Mitzvah ceremony is typically an ordinary Sabbath service in which the boy or girl participates for the first time as an adult and helps lead the service – usually associated with the young man or woman being called to read the Torah and/or Haftarah portion at a Shabbat or other service with a minyan (quorum of at least 10 males), and may also involve them giving a D’var Torah including a discussion of that week’s Torah portion.

Please contact our Temple office to help make plans for an upcoming Bar or Bat Mitzvah in your family. It is common to begin planning and preparations as much as three years in advance.

Wedding and Commitment Ceremonies

A Jewish wedding is the ultimate simcha (happy occasion). The wedding celebration is the most festive of all Jewish occasions. Marriage is traditionally regarded as the cornerstone of Jewish life in which the newly formed couple establishes a mikdash me’at (their home is like a miniature version of the Temple in Jerusalem), and sanctifies God through their love and commitment to one another and to the Jewish people. The traditional Jewish wedding consists of two parts: kiddushin and nisuin. Kiddushin is the process by which a man acquires a woman as a wife. Nisuin are nuptials – traditionally at a Jewish wedding, nisuin are the seven joyous wedding blessings, each recited over a full cup of wine.

Do Not Stand Idly By:  A Jewish Community Pledge to Save Lives

Temple Beth Shalom has formally joined countless Jewish organizations, including United Synagogue for Conservative Judaism, in signing A Jewish Community Pledge to Save Lives.  In one month five teenagers took their own lives due to homophobic bullying and harassment.  As a signer of the Jewish Community Pledge to Save Lives, TBS commits to ensuring that every person in our community is treated with dignity and respect.  TBS further commits to speaking out when witnessing anyone being demeaned for their actual or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity.   You are encouraged to personally the sign the pledge at http://jewishcommunitypledge.org. 

End of Life

Contact the Temple directly with any matters relating to End of Life issues including closing moments, funeral and burial, shivah and mourning, Kaddish and Yahrtzeit, etc. In these most difficult of situations–the loss of a loved one–our Torah and tradition is there to strengthen us, to guide us, and to help us grow and see beyond our loss.

Temple Beth Shalom | 3635 Elm Ave, Long Beach, CA 90807 | 562-426-6413