On Sunday August 30, 2015, Maddie celebrated her Brit Bat– the Jewish naming ceremony for newborn girls. Mom and Dad’s friend and Rabbi Sharon Brous led the service. It was held in the family backyard, right in front of the Secret Garden, on the very same spot that Mom and Dad took their wedding vows almost five years ago.

Many of Maddie’s beloved friends and family came to join the celebration…

As the ceremony began, Maddie’s Godparents Ed and Sarah walked her in, and everyone called out, “Brucha h’baha!” (“We welcome you with blessings!”)  You can click below to hear the actual audio.

Grandma Shirley flew to Los Angeles just to join in the celebration, and she held Maddie in a very special chair…

Mom and Dad shared with everyone that they were going to plant a lemon tree to honor Maddie. Rabbi Brous spoke of the tree, and the lessons it had to teach…

Soon it was time for Maddie to receive her Hebrew name: Beryl.

Then Mom and Dad each read a letter to Maddie about her name. Mom’s letter was about Maddie’s full name…

And Dad focused on Maddie’s Hebrew name…

As the Brit Bat ended, Dexter licked Maddie’s feet, and everyone shouted, “Mazel Tov!”