Hollekreisch

What the ritual means

The Hollekreisch provides a secular name for a baby, distinct from the sacred Hebrew name given during a Brit Milah. The term likely comes from the Hebrew phrase khol kreisch, meaning secular cry. Some scholars also link it to German folklore involving Frau Holle, a mythical figure who protected unbaptised infants. The ritual serves as a protective blessing for the child's daily life.

How the ceremony works

Children gather around the newborn's cradle to perform the rite. For boys, older participants read verses from the Pentateuch and place religious items like a tallit on the bed. Girls receive part of a bridal garment instead. All children lift the cradle three times while asking what the child should be named. They then repeat the chosen secular name three times before sharing sweets or nuts with guests.

Origins and history

Early Jewish liturgical texts mention similar gatherings around newborns in the eleventh century. The specific Hollekreisch name appears in sixteenth-century writings by Rabbi Israel ben Shalom Shakhna. Detailed accounts from Juspa Schammes in the seventeenth century describe the Worms community's version. By the nineteenth century, the practice shifted toward being primarily for girls.

Modern variations

The tradition survives in parts of Switzerland, Alsace, and the Rhine valley. Modern prayer books include specific verses for welcoming newborns, reflecting renewed interest in the custom. Local variations have emerged over time, with different pronunciations of the word Holle and varying biblical readings. These changes show how the ritual adapts while keeping its core purpose intact.

How Hollekreisch is kept

Children gather around the newborn's cradle to perform the rite. For boys, older participants read verses from the Pentateuch and place religious items like a tallit on the bed. Girls receive part of a bridal garment instead. All children lift the cradle three times while asking what the child should be named. They then repeat the chosen secular name three times before sharing sweets or nuts with guests.

When and where

After a child is born

Primarily in Alsace, Southern Germany, and Switzerland, with historical roots in Worms.

What Hollekreisch means

The ritual separates the secular identity from the sacred Hebrew name. It invokes protection for the child's everyday life. The repetition of the name three times reinforces the community's acceptance of the baby. Sharing sweets symbolizes joy and blessing for the new arrival.

Questions people ask about Hollekreisch

See also

Zeved habatA Jewish naming ceremony for newborn girls, kept by Sephardi, Mizrahi and Ashkenazi communities.First haircutA rite of passage marking a child's first shave or trim across many cultures and faiths.Saint Stephen's DayA Christian feast day celebrating the first martyr with feasts, rides and folk customs.Nativity of John the BaptistA Christian feast day on June 24 that marks the birth of John the Baptist and anticipates Christmas.

Good reading and sources

• Hollekreisch on WikipediaEncyclopedia
• Wikidata recordOpen data

It may contain mistakes. Traditions differ from one family, village and community to the next, and the people who keep them know them best. If something is wrong, tell us. Last refreshed 2026-10-06.