There are many Jewish traditions related to life cycle events from the brit milah (circumcision ceremony) to death and mourning. This list aims to help guide people to the professionals and organizations that offer guidance for many of the life cycle events.

This information and more can be found in the latest Jewish News Community Directory.

Brit Milah
The circumcision ceremony, or brit milah, occurs on the eighth day  following a child’s birth. (The first day is included in the calculation.) Each physician and rabbi listed below is ritually trained as a mohel.

Rabbi Michael Aminov
Congregation Ohr Neriye
17809 N. 14th St.
Phoenix AZ 85022
917-407-4551, 480-444-6682

Steven Hauben, M.D.
Scottsdale, AZ
602-826-4131
kididoc@gmail.com

Rabbi Mendy Lipskier
Member of the International Bris Association
16830 E. Ave. of the Fountains
Fountain Hills, AZ 85268
480-795-6292; Cell: 480-776-4763
mohel@azbris.com
azbris.com

Robert S. Lipson, M.D.
Affiliated Urologists
5133 N. Central Ave., Suite 206
Phoenix, AZ 85012
602-264-0604; Cell: 480-326-1361
affiliatedurologists.com

Rabbi Yossie Semel
6804 N. 13th Place
Phoenix, AZ 85014
602-326-3885
ybsemel@gmail.com
azmohel.com

Alan B. Singer, M.D.
Pediatrician
602-705-3501
dralansinger@cox.net
dralansinger.com

Baby Naming Ceremony
A baby naming ceremony is traditionally held after the birth of a baby where the baby is given their Hebrew name and entered into a covenant with God. Click here for Kveller’s Ultimate Guide to Baby Naming Ceremonies.

Bar or Bat Mitzvah
A Bar or Bat Mitzvah is the coming of age ceremony that marks a time when children become a Jewish adult. This traditionally takes place at age 12 for girls (Bat) and age 13 for boys (Bar). For information on these ceremonies and what is needed to become a Bar/Bat Mitzvah, check out our list of local synagogues in our Community Guide and reach out for more information.

Marriage Ceremony
Jewish weddings are filled with traditions and rituals. For a guide on some of these specific traditions, click here for My Jewish Learning’s Jewish Weddings 101.

Rabbinical Guidance
The below list of Rabbinic Boards, Rabbis and spiritual leaders are available for guidance for your Jewish life cycle events.

Board of Rabbis of Greater Phoenix
phoenixbor@gmail.com
President: Rabbi Bonnie Sharfman
Vice President: Rabbi Jeremy Schneider
Secretary: Rabbi Sara Mason-Barkin
Co-Treasurers: Rabbi Mark Bisman and Rabbi John Linder
IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENTS
First Past President: Rabbi Stephen Kahn
Second Past President: Rabbi Robert Kravitz
Brings together rabbis in our community

Orthodox Rabbinical Council of Greater Phoenix
c/o Beth Joseph Congregation
602-277-8858
office@phoenixbethjoseph.org
Provide services to individuals and families in keeping with halachic discipline, including rabbinical courts, mediation services, chevra kadisha, bereavement counseling, hospital visitation and community events.

Rabbi Irwin Wiener, D.D.
623-640-5913
ravyitz@cox.net
Private instruction: principles and basics of Judaism and holiday observances. Special guidance for interfaith couples, outreach to LGBTQ community and personalized wedding ceremony. Lifecycle events and celebrations.

Chaplaincy

City of Phoenix Police Department
Rabbi Levi Levertov
602-793-0138
levi.levertov@phoenix.gov

City of Scottsdale Police Department
Rabbi Robert L. Kravitz, senior chaplain
Rabbi Ariel Shoshan, police chaplain
480-312-5000

End of Life support
The Jewish traditions related to death and mourning are intended to recognize death as a part of life. The traditions of preparing the body, sitting shiva (a seven-day period of mourning immediately after a  funeral), saying Kaddish (prayer for the dead) and observing yahrzeit (anniversary of a death) provide a sense of structure at this difficult time of loss.

Peacefulreturn.org
Robin Meyerson 602-469-1606
Robin@peacefulreturn.org
NASCK National Association of Chevra Kadishas
Free educational materials and counseling assisting family members making end-of-life decisions.

Cemeteries

Beth El Cemetery
Located inside Greenwood Memorial Park
2300 W. Van Buren St., Phoenix, AZ 85009
Information: Eli Barzilai, 602-944-3359, ext. 112
Consecrated and strictly halachic Jewish burials; pre-need arrangements available. Owned and operated by Beth El Cemetery
Corporation and affiliated with Beth El Congregation.

Congregation Beth Israel Memorial Cemetery
305 S. 35th Ave., Phoenix, AZ 85009
480-951-0323
cbiaz.org/cemetery
Consecrated and dedicated Jewish burial. Property owned and operated by Congregation Beth Israel.

Garden of Shalom at Phoenix Memorial Park
200 W. Beardsley Road, Phoenix, AZ 85027
623-434-7000; fax: 623-434-7012

Green Acres Mortuary and Cemetery
401 N. Hayden Road, Scottsdale, AZ 85257
480-945-2654; fax: 480-945-4308
greenacrescemetery.com
dignitymemorial.com
For all the funeral home and cemetery arrangements that are needed. Visit the dedicated Jewish gardens and mausoleum. Call today to discuss all the options.

Mt. Sinai Cemetery
24210 N. 68th St., Phoenix, AZ 85054
480-585-6060; fax: 480-585-1924
mtsinaicemetery.com
General manager: Ira Mann
A Jewish cemetery that cares about the Jewish community. Jewish-owned and operated. Consecrated and halachic, with sidewalks throughout, covered outdoor chapel. Intermarried section.

Mortuary

Sinai Mortuary of Arizona
4538 N. 16th St., Phoenix, AZ 85016
602-248-0030
office@azsinai.com
sinaimortuary.net
Managing director: Russell Persinger
The Valley’s only Jewish funeral chapel. Serving all cemeteries. Prepaid funeral plans for all types of arrangements. Established in 1971. Jewish ownership, Jewish management.

 

This information and more can be found in the latest Jewish News Community Directory.

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