I am attending my first bris (Jewish circumcision ceremony) next week. Do I need to buy a gift? If so, does anyone have any suggestions?!?
From what I understand (I'm not Jewish) although a gift isn't a 'requirement', you are essentially celebrating a big moment in this child's life. The rule of thumb from what I've experienced is this: if you are not Jewish, bring a gift but a non-religious gift.
Good luck and enjoy - in some families it is definitely an honor to be included in this religiously significant moment.
Hi Amy. Most peole do bring gifts. When my son was born we got the usual baby gifts. You can buy clothes, books or any other kind of new baby gift. It does not have to be a religious gift.
if you were closer to jewish stores I would give you some places to shop but honestly, you can give anything from baby's gifts to something for the new mom. Its all up to you. However, I would bring a gift either way. There are websites if you have enough time to order something where you can get something like a charity box with the child's name in hebrew, a prayer book, a kids jewish song tape, plush toys with the hebrew alphabet letters, cardboard books for little kids on the jewish holidays....and all sorts of cute things that are religiously significant. If you want specific ideas or websites I would be happy to help. I have been to MANY jewish 'bris'es.
Amy,
I am not Jewish, but did go to a Bris for a friend's new son. I gave a savings bond for the new baby. You can get it at the bank and it comes with a little certificate.
I still have some of the certificates in my baby album from gifts I was given as a child. It was something to just hold on to and create some "savings" for them.
We've used this idea for several graduation, communion, etc. gifts.
A small little gift would be nice. If you went to a Christening you would give a small gift, so I would give something for this occasion also.
^j^
hi,
a present is great for a bris. you can give baby toys or a cute outfit, or even things mom may need for baby. a bris is almost like a christining, welcoming a new baby into the jewish faith. as a mom of 2 boys (both has a bris) it was great to have family and friends there to help us celebrate our boys.