Spencer William - the Jewish Way

It's much easier just to copy and paste from a similar post of 2.5 years ago:
Over 3,700 years ago God told Abraham:

And you shall be circumcised in the flesh of your foreskin; and it shall be a sign of a covenant between me and you. And he who is in his eighth day shall be circumcised among you, every male, throughout your generations…

Genesis 17:11-12

Thanks to that commandment, all Jewish homes with new baby boys get completely invaded when the baby is only a week old and everyone watches this precious and perfect new baby get mutilated - AND the invasion is to last for an entire weekend. (I'm sure if you look in the Torah commentary, it's all there somewhere...) Once again, we were so honored and grateful to our families who traveled, took time out of their work and busy lives, and joined us for Spencer's bris and a weekend of celebration. All of Mommy's siblings and niece and nephews came; all 4 of Spencer's grandparents were with us as was his phenomenal 92-year-old Gigi!!!

In the days leading up to the BIG 8th day, family arrived and met the newest member of our lucky team:

Zayde introduces himself to Spencer.

oldest and youngest family members united

Grandma and Grandpa arrive from Florida and are of course immediately smitten:

Boston Kayes arrive and immediately start playing.

Aunt Mandy snuggles her newest nephew.

Ethan and Joey play with Sammy

Conscientious big sister Gabi realized that baby Spencer wasn't represented on our van's family stickers. She helped solve that problem.

Team Cohan arrives late late late the night before the bris, but they made it!

Everyone else had already gone to bed, so there wasn't any baby-holding competition.

The morning of Spencer's bris party arrives, but the cousins were ready to party much sooner than it was scheduled.

Big cousin Jacob says "I don't mind."

Gabi and Mira help with set up.

We get everyone dressed and ready, and restless big cousins get some outside time to run around. Gabi MAY have had an accident while outside. Then, she MAY have flashed the entire neighborhood on her way back to the house. MAYBE.

We are finally ready for the bris party to begin!

Rabbi Shawel, the mohel who will perform the circumcision, prepares Spencer for the ceremony.

The crowd awaits Spencer's arrival.

Spencer arrives at his party. Cousin Mira, who had been taking marvelous care of Spencer while the guests arrived, escorts Aunt Syssa, who serves as the kvatterin, as they bring him into the room where the circumcision will take place. Aunt Syssa hands Spencer to Zayde, kvatter, who brings Spencer to Elijah's chair.

An important custom at a bris is the presence of a chair for Elijah the Prophet. Elijah is called the guardian angel of children, and his chair represents our silent prayer for the baby's safety.

It was a family affair:

Grandpa is honored as sandek as he holds Spencer during the circumcision itself. Gabi wanted to be up close and personal during the surgery, but that didn't go so well.

my poor baby

Like all of his male relatives before him, Spencer survived and was back in the arms of his parents in no time.

Crowd surfing:



After the trauma, Grandma comforts baby Spencer for some mutually needed R&R.

The brit milah ceremony may be over, but the party (read: family invasion) is just getting started.

friend Nora

Silly cousins Jacob and Noah play together.

How many toys can you fit in a small space in the living room? Challenge accepted.

Sammy burries himself.

Ethan and Mira are happy to add to the mess. (Find Sammy.)

The party moves outside for some fresh air.

boys time: Grandpa and Ethan

girls time: Mira, Aunt Syssa, Aunt Mandy

Cousin Noah snuggles sweetly with baby Spencer.

Human Knot

After fun outside, it's time for cousins bath with Noah and Sammy!

Gabi-Mira selfie!

More sweet moments with the current favorite family member:

ready for Shabbat with Aunt Sandi and Jacob

couch snuggles

Team Gilden love

The next day (is it ONLY Saturday?) we take a glorious pajama picture with all EIGHT (!) cousins.


A rare moment of just the 4 "sibs" together and smiling at the same time:

Boston Kayes have to leave us, so we give some last hugs before they depart.

Spencer and the Red Tent

We have one more full day together, and we make sure it doesn't go to waste.

Zayde love with Ethan and Spencer:

Everyone helps get ready in the morning:

Sometimes, you just need a little extra love.

Joey helps Team Cohen get ready in the bathroom.

At breakfast on Sunday, biggest cousins Mira and Jacob help wear Spencer so everyone can eat comfortably.

Mira, Jacob, Gabi, and Ethan smile with Gigi before everyone has to go home.

PHEW! What a great weekend with family, fun, love, and laughter! Welcome to the Jewish way, Spencer William, and the way of craziness and chaos that you'll learn to love!