Southern Simchas, Part I
Southern food traditions for Jewish life cycles celebrations and rituals
From Birth to Death food has always been part of Jewish Life Cycle events. In the South Jewish life cycle rituals always include food. Whether it be a newborn’s bris or baby naming, the 13 year olds coming of age Bar/Bat Mitzvah, the Wedding celebrations and the finality of death and the rituals around mourning and eating there is always food.
We want to explore the rich history of these traditions including how food marks time and place for these emotional times of our lives.
We are delighted begin this new series with our first story by Kenneth and Grace Berger, longtime Columbia residents who write about their recent Jewish baby naming for their beautiful baby, Goldie.
About Jewish Baby Naming
What is a Jewish baby naming ceremony?
This is a brief ceremony during which the baby is given his or her Hebrew name. The chosen Hebrew name could be a name that sounds like the baby's secular/English name, or one that begins with the same sound as the baby's secular/English name. Often a Hebrew name is selected because the meaning of the word has significance to the family. Ashkenazic Jews (those of European ancestry) often select a name that commemorates a deceased relative of the baby in order to honor that person's memory. Sephardic Jews (those of Spanish and Middle Eastern ancestry) often follow the custom of naming their children after living relatives.
During the ceremony, there is an opportunity for the parents of the new baby to explain their choice of name and its significance to them. Blessings are said during the ceremony acknowledging that the child has been entered into a brit, a covenant, with God. Blessings are also recited for the baby's well-being. The traditional wish is offered - that this child may grow into a life of study of Torah, of loving relationships, and the performance of good deeds.
Photo of Kenneth, Grace, and Goldie Berger
When does a Jewish baby naming take place?
If a baby boy is being circumcised, (b'rit milah) typically done on the eighth day after birth, the boy is given his Hebrew name at the same time. Baby namings for girls can occur at any time, although they are usually done in the first few weeks of the baby's life.Where does a Jewish baby naming take place?
Baby namings can be held in people's homes, or they can be held at the synagogue. A b'rit milah is usually held in the morning. A baby naming held in a synagogue can take place at a Shabbat service, either Friday evening or Saturday morning.
Why do Jewish babies have a Hebrew name?
The baby's Hebrew name will be used at life-cycle events throughout his or her life. When Jewish children begin their religious education, they participate in a Consecration ceremony, at which their Hebrew name will be used. At a child's bar mitzvah (for boys) or bat mitzvah (for girls) - the Jewish coming-of-age ceremony at the age of 13 - he or she is called to the Torah for the first time by their Hebrew name. At a Jewish wedding, the Hebrew names of the couple are used on the ketubah, their Jewish marriage document. When the person dies, his or her Hebrew name will be used during the funeral and burial, and will then be inscribed on their tombstone.
Will food be served at a baby naming?
There is always food at Jewish celebrations and certainly at baby namings, times of great happiness and joy. Baby namings and Brisses are often held in people's homes or the synagogue where a light meal is usually served buffet style.
The above are excerpts from “What is a Jewish Baby Naming”, Rabbi Karen Companez Temple Bet El, Flint, MI.
The Baby Naming of Goldie Esther Berger
By Kenneth and Grace Berger
Wedding of Kenneth and Grace Faulkenberry Berger, October 31, 2020, Bluffton, South Carolina.
This story begins, as many do, in “The Land of Milk and Honey, the Holy Land – Jerusalem”. Come back in time with us to the summer of 2022 during a family trip to Israel. We had talked about baby names for a future baby and of course we were biased, and thought we had picked the perfect definite name for a future daughter. The name was strong yet feminine, traditional but versatile. And then we totally changed our minds visiting Israel. After visiting Golda Meir’s final resting place, we realized there was no better choice for a girl’s name than Israel’s first female prime minister. Golda Meir was a passionate and fearless leader, resolute in her beliefs and ideals. A few years later, on May 23rd, 2023, a happy, giggly, sweet Goldie Adeline Berger joined our family. In deciding her Hebrew name, we wanted something of equal tenacity and character to complement her namesake. Luckily, our history and family gave us plenty of options. We chose the Hebrew name to be Esther, whose courageous actions saved the Jewish people.
Our daughter’s names, Goldie and Hebrew name Esther, are significant. They represent not only two strong, heroic women, but they embody the characteristics that any parent hopes their children will express. Like Queen Esther, we hope our daughter is brave and fearless in standing up for what is right. Like Golda Meir, we hope our daughter is an advocate in her beliefs and strong in her resolve. We hope our daughter will not face the terrible plight taken on by Queen Esther. We hope our daughter will have the opportunity to visit Israel one day and come up with a name for her own children. Names are funny like that; a nod to the past given to honor those who came before us, with a distinct hope that the named can exhibit those qualities in a better, brighter world.
Goldie Adeline Berger born May 23, 2023
If you come back in time with us again, just a bit further, the story traces back to what some also consider to be the Holy Land – Charleston, South Carolina. Goldie’s maternal great-grandparents, Ruth Sholk and Gus Arnold, met during WWII when Gus served in the Navy. They later moved to South Florida and had three children, the youngest being Goldie’s grandmother, Sharon Arnold Batey. The Arnolds moved back to South Carolina in the early 60’s and have lived in Columbia ever since.
The Berger family comes from Lithuania. Their American story began in Baltimore in the early 1900s. Harris Berger, Goldie’s great, great grandfather, then moved to St. Matthews, South Carolina, where his son, Manuel Berger, was raised. Manuel attended USC and married Louise Levi. Their younger son, Robert, is Goldie’s grandfather. Robert has lived in Columbia since 1968, and this is where Kenny and his many siblings were raised.
To make a long story short, Goldie’s parents, Grace and Kenny, met in 2009 during Rosh Hashanah services at Beth Shalom Synagogue and were married in Bluffton, South Carolina on October 31, 2020. The baby naming ceremony was held at Uncle Michael and Aunt Dianna Arnold’s home in Columbia, South Carolina. With the Berger and Arnold families present the Hebrew naming ceremony was conducted by Rabbi Jonathan Case of Beth Shalom Synagogue. Following the ceremony was a catered luncheon by “Southern Way”. On the menu for lunch were many southern treats: Tomatoe Pie Tarts, Parmesan Truffle Fries, Duck Poppers, Nashville Hot Chicken Sliders, Parmesan Risotto Cake, Hot Smoked Salmon, Fresh Vegetable Crudites, Strawberry and Watermelon Gazpacho, and Strawberry Supreme Cake.
The Berger family enjoys playing with their dogs, traveling, a good movie, and matzah ball soup!
Blintz Casserole by Amy Berger
Aunt Amy’s Blintz Casserole
This delicious and simple recipe—often served at Simchas such as baby namings—is by Amy Rones Berger, Goldie’s paternal grandmother. This recipe can be found in the recent book Kugels & Collards.
Ingredients:
Filling
2 8-ounce packages cream cheese, room temperature
3 24-ounce containers small-curd cottage cheese (not Sealtest)
2 eggs, beaten
1 cup sugar
2 large lemons, juiced
Pinch of salt
Batter (for bottom and top)
4 sticks butter, very soft
1 cup sugar
2 cups flour
4 eggs, beaten
6 teaspoons baking powder
Pinch of salt
½ cup milk
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Directions:
Filling: Mix the soften cream cheese with the cottage cheese. Add the beaten eggs, sugar, lemon juice, and pinch of salt.
Batter: Put softened butter, sugar, beaten eggs, flour, baking powder, salt, milk, and vanilla extract in mixing bowl. Blend together using an electric mixer.
Assembly: Spread the bottom of a large 9x13 or larger glass baking dish with some of the batter (enough to coat the bottom of the dish). Leave enough batter for top of the casserole. Pour the filling on top of the batter, leaving a little room to spread the remaining batter to cover the filling.
Bake in preheated 350-degree oven for 1 hour 15 minutes, until the top is browned. Let cool for at least 30 minutes before serving.