The arrival of a new baby is a cause for great celebration.  At Beit Or v’Shalom we offer several ways to recognize your simchah.

Both boys and girls can be brought into a service where they can be publicly named and welcomed and receive a blessing; this can take place on a Saturday morning during the months after birth.

For boys, many families also choose to observe the ancient ritual of Brit Milah (the “bris”), or male circumcision, between eight days and a month after birth. 

Queensland law recognizes that circumcision is a surgical procedure and requires that only a registered medical practitioner perform it; we therefore conduct the religious ceremony separately, but usually on the same day as the doctor’s appointment, often at the family home.  Celebrating in this manner does not prevent you bringing your son to a service during the following weeks or months to be publicly welcomed and blessed.

Our Cheder at Beit Or v’Shalom ​caters for children aged from 4 to 11. The classes are held at our Synagogue and Hall in Carina and are held every fortnight during school terms. For dates, please check the calendar.

Aims and Objects of Cheder

Our goal is that our students receive an enjoyable and stimulating Jewish education in a safe environment through inspiring and engaging teaching. 

The experience should be fun and should be one that they look forward to each fortnight. We want each of our students to graduate the Cheder program as educated, well-rounded, secure, and proud Jews, whether at home, at the workplace, or in the synagogue. Cheder should be a place where lifelong friendships are born and where a firm connection to Judaism is cemented. We want them to feel comfortable being Jewish and in standing up for the beliefs and traditions that have been handed down from generation to generation. We also want to prepare them well for progression to their Bnei Mitzvah studies.

The children will be educated in Hebrew reading, the Jewish Calendar, the concepts of Jewish belief and values, the history of the Jewish people and of the State of Israel. 

The education is through a range of methods including hands-on activities (baking Challah & Hamantaschen and creating a Cheder garden from scratch), large group activities (such as creating a model of Jerusalem out of cardboard boxes) and smaller groups work (mainly for Hebrew reading).

We are very excited about our Cheder program and look forward to working with your children in an exciting learning environment. 

Cheder for Younger Children

For the  younger children aged between  4 and 6, Cheder  is a fun opportunity to socialise with other Jewish children their age and learn about Jewish bible stories, holidays and the Hebrew alphabet.  Each session is full of engaging activities such as crafts, games, music, stories, and, of course, play time and morning tea.  

Cheder for these youngsters is a terrific opportunity for young children to have fun while learning about being Jewish.

Beit Or v'Shalom Inc values your children and is mindful of their care. We have in  place a Child Protection Policy which you can download here.  All persons working with Children,  have a Blue Card.

Please contact us for more information about all our Cheder programs.

We require that all families enrolling in Cheder become Members or Associates of Beit Or v'Shalom  - 

 Download a copy of our Membership Application Form OR click here to complete the form on line Membership Application   

Download a copy of our Family Member/Associate Form OR click here to complete the form on line Associate Application

Download a copy of our Associate Application form OR click here to complete the form on line Member/Associate Family Application

Please  Download a PDF of the Cheder enrolment form here  OR Click here to complete your Cheder Enrolment   complete and post or email.

For more details on our Bar and Bat Mitzvah program, please click here.

If you wish to visit our Cheder please contact us in advance so that we can arrange someone to meet you and show you through.

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A Bar/Bat Mitzvah is not just a single important day in the life of a young Jew, but a process involving the whole family for years.

Often the main focus of Jewish life for families of growing children approaching their teenage years, this popular ritual demands much of both the child and the family.

To this end Beit Or v’Shalom has crafted an educational program that reflects the reality of our modern, busy lives while still upholding our beloved traditions.

To get the most out of the Bar/Bat Mitzvah experience, a young Jew should acquire a certain minimum proficiency in Hebrew and Jewish literacy (Bible, ethics, values, Jewish history and customs), as well as a working familiarity with the flow of the Shabbat morning service.  In most cases this will mean two years minimum Cheder and Bar/Bat Mitzvah training, and regular attendance at services and other community events for at least a year prior to celebrating the Bar/Bat Mitzvah.

Once the young Jew has undertaken sufficient training, Bar/Bat Mitzvah can be celebrated at any time once they have reached 13 years of age.  The exact date is set with regard to the student’s thirteenth birthday by the Hebrew calendar, and practical considerations such as when interstate overseas relatives can join the celebration.  To meet this timetable, in most cases a child should be in Cheder by age 11, and join the Bar/Bat Mitzvah class 12-18 months before turning 13. 

Individualised bar/bat mitzvah training is provided, suited to each child’s abilities.

Parents must read our detailed policy which sets out what is involved in adequately preparing for a public celebration of becoming Bar/Bat Mitzvah. This policy document also includes the application form to request a B'nei Mitzvah date. 

Beit Or v'Shalom Inc values your children and is mindful of their care. We have in  place a Child Protection Policy which you can download here.  All persons working with Children, whether volunteers or employed have a Blue Card.

Please contact us with any further questions or to arrange a meeting to begin planning your child’s big day.

From time to time Beit Or v’Shalom runs classes for Adult Education.  Contact us to inquire when the next set of classes will be held.

Easy Learn Hebrew

Beit Or v’Shalom is pleased to advise of an opportunity to access an online Hebrew learning program. The program is called “Easy Learn Hebrew Online” and consists of a number of modules.  Each time a person purchases a subscription to the program, a 10% donation comes to Beit Or v’Shalom.

To check out the program, click here.

Weddings are celebrated both on the day of the ceremony itself, and with the happy couple being publicly acknowledged with an aliyah (call-up to the Torah) at the Shabbat morning service during the week prior.

Couples planning to marry should contact us before making any firm plans or paying any deposits to ensure your planned date is acceptable within the Jewish calendar.

At a time of sad loss, it’s comforting to know that Beit Or v’Shalom will be there for you.

A choice of  lay leaders are available to conduct funerals, in partnership with George Hartnett Funerals (formerly Cannon and Cripps).

Both burial and cremation are available.

Only the Jewish partner in a mixed-faith couple can be buried in a Jewish cemetery; however other arrangements can be made to provide a Jewish funeral and still allow the couple to find eternal rest together. 

Should your family need additional support beyond the funeral itself, please make sure we are aware of this; our pool of volunteers may be able to assist.

Mt Gravatt Cemetery

There are four different areas available for Jewish burial (including the burial of ashes).  Please discuss your needs at the time of arranging the funeral. More information about our cemeteries can be found here.

There are four areas where Jewish remains can be buried at Mt Gravatt Cemetery.

Two of these are the Jewish Lawn Cemetery, used for burial with a plaque to mark each gravesite, and the Memorial Garden for the interment of ashes. These are situated at the rear end of Lawn 9, Mt Gravatt Cemetery (Download map) (Download Detailed Map), which is accessed via 582 Mains Road, Mt Gravatt.

The other two Jewish areas are monumental cemeteries where all graves are required to have a full headstone.  Halachic Jews can be buried in Section 4C(i); other Jews (including Progressive converts) can be buried in Section 4C(ii).  Funerals leading to burial in these sections are conducted in the adjoining Jewish chapel under the auspices of the Brisbane Chevra Kaddishah, using an officiant of your selection in consultation with the Chevra Kaddishah.