
Life Cycle Events
Births:
To celebrate the birth of a new child, we would be happy to arrange a baby blessing at the Synagogue
for you and your family. If you need up to date details of Mohelim from MRJ, please call the Synagogue
office.
B'nei Mitzvah:
Our B’nai Mitzvah programme gives a fresh and modern approach and a completely egalitarian preparation to the big step into adult Jewish life. With us each child receives a special attention, taking into account his/her interests and learning abilities.
After having completed the Cheder curriculum, where children have learnt how to read liturgical Hebrew, and become confident with the structure of the service, boys and girls enter the two-year-long B’nai Mitzvah program. They begin their studies following their 11th birthday and celebrate their Bar/Bat Mitzvah on their 13th birthday or after that date.
During these two years, the children deepen Jewish Studies topics and enhance their Hebrew. They will be encouraged to develop a personal understanding and practice of Judaism and... of course they will get ready for the big day!
Weddings:
Weddings are one of the cornerstones of the Jewish life cycle and are a great cause for celebration in our Synagogue. Jews are traditionally married underneath the Chuppah (a special canopy), which symbolises the home that the husband and wife will share.
This often takes place in the Synagogue, but may also be in other approved venues.
The photograph of Charlotte and Nick’s wedding in 2014 was in a Sussex hotel.
To arrange a wedding with our Rabbi, please call the Synagogue office as soon as you
have an idea of a date. Please note that both bride & groom have to become members
of the Synagogue in order to be married under the auspices of BHRS. Our Secretary of
Marriages will also contact you to help guide you through the process.
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Funerals:
In the event of a death please telephone the Synagogue office on 01273 735343. We will be able to assist with all the necessary arrangements. If you need to call out of office hours, there will be a message on the answer phone directing you to our Funeral Consultant, Martin Gross. His details are 07801 599771 or 07540 066 566.
If you call during Shabbat, please leave a message on his phone and one of his colleagues will call you back.
We can officiate funerals for members and non-members. Please call the office for more details.
Burials take place at the Jewish section of Hove Cemetery, Old Shoreham Road, BN3 7EF.
We can also officiate Cremations which take place at Woodvale Crematorium, Lewes Road, BN2 3QB.
Stone Settings:
The timing of the stone-setting (consecration of the tombstone) can vary from community to community.
In Israel, for instance, the stone-setting often takes place at the end of the first month, which coincides with the end of thesheloshim (literally: thirty days).
In Britain, by contrast, it is more usual to have the stone-setting at the end of the year and to coincide with the first anniversary, or that week.
In this case, the ceremony acts as a marker, putting an end to the year of mourning and with the strong suggestion that there is a limit to active grief and a time to re-engage with the stream of life.
To organise a date for a Stone Setting please contact the Synagogue office who will be able to help you with the nescessary arrangements.
The Synagogue’s recommended Stone Masons are both Jewish and London based companies:
Gary Green Memorials – represented by Norman Grant Hewstone Ltd - represented by Martin Gross
01273 885874 Mobile 07769 515045 07801 599771 or 07540 066 566
ngrant37@gmail.com

