[sak9645]

A correction.

Girls require only immersion (tavilah) in a mikvah.

Boys require BOTH circumcision (milah) and immersion (tavilah). Tavilah is done after the circumcision site heals.

Both boys and girls may be named in a synagogue ceremony, though most boys don't have namings because the Hebrew name is given during the brit milah or hatafat dam brit ceremony.

You don't need to be a member of a synagogue to call the rabbi and ask for a referral to a mohel -- the person who does the brit milah. Brit milah is not done in a synagogue. If a baby is newborn, the brit milah is usually done at home on the eighth day of his/her life. If a baby is older, brit milah needs to be done in a hospital.

You can use a mohel who is also a physician, so that both the circumcision and the ceremony are done in the operating room. You can then have a celebration at a later date. Or you can have a non-ritual circumcision in the operating room, and then have a mohel do a ceremony called hatafat dam brit at home, when you can also celebrate with a party.

You also don't have to be a member of a synagogue to call a rabbi and ask if he/she will arrange a conversion at a mikvah. The conversion will require the presence of three rabbis or other observant Jews. It will also require a mikvah -- either a natural body of "living water" or a manmade ritual bath under Orthodox or Conservative supervision.

As to a naming, most synagogue naming ceremonies are done for members of the congregation. If you are not a member of a congregation, and want to do a naming, you can do a beautiful home ceremony. You can invite a rabbi to officiate, or you can do one without a rabbi. And you can invite all your relatives and friends.

There is a good book on the market -- I can't promote commercial products on this site -- that helps you create meaningful ceremonies for brit milahs and namings. It also helps you choose a name for your baby, explain brit milah and such to non-Jewish family members, design Jewish birth or adoption announcements, etc.

Sharon