Lifecycles

Brit Milah/Simchat Bat:  
Our Rabbi and lay members of Kol Ami are happy to help guide you through the celebration of your son or daughter’s birth, and welcome the child into the Jewish community.  These rituals can be conducted at home or in our worship space and can be customized by the family.  We can also provide names of mohalim for a circumcision.

B-Mitzvahs: 

Kol Ami offers beautiful B-Mitzvah services in the Sanctuary or small chapel at the UUCA.  Bar and Bat Mitzvah students are invited to become students in our JCEP program, in order to learn about Jewish traditions and develop a cohort of classmates and friends.  The final year of JCEP includes preparatory training for a B-Mitzvah and is supplemented by a tutor who concentrates on the student’s individual Torah portion.  Please visit our B-Mitzvah page for more information.

Weddings:

Mazel tov!  We’re happy to play a role in the celebration of your marriage — whether for an aufruf (being called up to the Torah) at Shabbat services before the wedding, at a huppah/wedding ceremony in the lovely Sanctuary of the UUCA, or at a wedding in an outside location.  Our Rabbi is licensed to perform weddings in the Commonwealth of Virginia and is pleased to work with you to customize the traditional Jewish wedding ceremony with modern blessings, songs, and readings.

Conversion:

At Kol Ami, we welcome people in every stage of their spiritual path and look forward to discussing and supporting your journey.  We periodically offer an Introduction to Judaism/Conversion course, which serves as a prerequisite for joining the Jewish people.  We invite prospective converts to join the congregation so as to experience Jewish life in community.  Our Rabbi works closely with interested people to prepare them for the conversion ceremony.

Death, Grief, and Mourning:

Kol Ami encourages members to prepare for death and dying in a conscious and aware manner, both for themselves and their loved ones.  Our guidance booklet, When Someone Dies, offers advice about the death and dying process and Jewish traditions. Our Rabbi is available to meet with members as they are dealing with sensitive, emotional issues, as well as the practicalities of locating funeral services and cemetery plots.  Our Care and Concern Committee provides help during difficult times and takes care of a Shiva minyan after a loss.