Baby naming in Los Angeles
Mazal tov, it’s a girl! Naming your daughter at the Torah
At Bait Aaron, a baby girl receives her Hebrew name at the Sefer Torah, with a Mi Sheberach for her and for her mother, and then the kehilla sits down to Kiddush together. Families name their daughters at our Shabbat minyanim, a short walk from Cedars-Sinai and Beverly Hills.
The naming
How a baby girl is named
A boy receives his name at his bris. A girl receives hers in shul, when the Torah is read. It takes only a few minutes, and it is one of the sweetest moments in the life of a kehilla.
- Choose the dayThe Torah is read on Shabbat morning, Monday, Thursday and Rosh Chodesh. On Shabbat it is read at our 7:30am Shacharit and at the 9:30am JFK Minyan.
- The aliyahThe father, or another relative, is called up to the Torah for an aliyah.
- The Mi SheberachAfter the aliyah, a Mi Sheberach is said for the baby and for her mother’s recovery, and the baby’s Hebrew name is announced for the first time: v’yikarei shemah b’Yisrael, and her name in Israel shall be called.
- Mazal tovThe kehilla answers Amen and wishes the family mazal tov.
- KiddushAfter davening, everyone celebrates together at Kiddush.
Customs
Names, blessings and the zeved habat
Choosing a Hebrew name
Ashkenazi families often name a baby after a relative who has passed away, and Sephardic families often name her after a living grandparent. Bring the Hebrew name you have chosen, with the father’s and mother’s Hebrew names.
Zeved habat
Many Sephardic families also celebrate a zeved habat, the gift of a daughter, with verses from Shir HaShirim, such as Yonati b’chagvei hasela, my dove in the clefts of the rock, and a blessing for the baby.
A Kiddush in her honor
Sponsor the full Shabbat Kiddush for $1,800, or take a share in the Kiddush for $101, dedicated in honor of your daughter. Sponsor the Kiddush.
Plan the day
A naming, a Kiddush or a full simcha
Celebrate at the shul
Our shul hall and covered outdoor simcha area host up to 300 guests, with a kitchen for meat and dairy, a grill and a brick pizza oven. See the Simcha Hall.
Born at Cedars-Sinai
Bait Aaron is about an 11-minute walk from the South Tower lobby. Having your baby at Cedars on Shabbat.
Mazal tov on a boy?
A boy is named at his bris on the eighth day. Rav Yaakov Nourollah offers brit milah free of charge for families who need it. Plan your son’s bris.
Questions parents ask
When is a baby girl named?
A girl is named when the Torah is read: on Shabbat morning, Monday, Thursday or Rosh Chodesh. Many families name her at the first Torah reading after the birth, and many choose Shabbat so the whole family can come.
Does the baby need to be in shul for her naming?
No. The father, or another relative, is called up to the Torah and the name is given in the Mi Sheberach. Mother and baby can stay home and rest, and many families bring the baby later for the Kiddush or a zeved habat.
We are not religious. Can we name our daughter at Bait Aaron?
Yes, and you are very welcome. Bait Aaron is a Torah outreach center. We will walk you through each step, from the aliyah to the blessing.
Can we sponsor the Kiddush in her honor?
Yes. Sponsor the full Shabbat Kiddush for $1,800, or take a share in the Kiddush for $101, dedicated in honor of your daughter. See our Donate page.
Can we hold a bigger celebration at the shul?
Yes. Our shul hall and covered outdoor simcha area host up to 300 guests, with a kitchen for meat and dairy, a grill and a brick pizza oven. See the Simcha Hall.
Our daughter was born at Cedars-Sinai. How far is the shul?
Mazal tov. Bait Aaron is about an 11-minute walk from the South Tower lobby at Cedars-Sinai. Our Cedars-Sinai guide covers Shabbat in the hospital, kosher food and the walk to shul.
Mazal tov! To plan your daughter’s naming, call or text Bait Aaron with the Shabbat or weekday you have in mind.
Call or text 310-951-1939Bait Aaron Torah Outreach Center · 301 S. La Peer Dr., Los Angeles, CA 90048 · Mara D’Asra: HaRav Moshe Nourollah, Shlita