Conference taveng::bagels

    I have never known this as a Jewish tradition. 
    If I had any I certainly don't know who they are.
    
    Malcolm

    RE: 325
    
    I'm not aware of any "rules" regarding this matter; however, as
    G_D parents ourselves, my wife and I were chosen as such because
    the child's parents knew that in the event that they could not continue
    in a parenting role, (for any reason), then we would do so.  In
    this case the children are the children of my sister and her husband.
    
    To be chosen as G_D parents is a great honor; however, is an awesome
    responsibility.
    
    From your perspective, choose with care and confidence.
    
    

    When we chose  G-D parents for our children, it was to act as part
    of the Brit Millah ceremony (I no longer remember the terms used).
    Since we were not able to have the people that we wanted present,
    we chose another couple to act as substitutes. This was totally
    acceptable to our Rabbi who performed the Brit. The moral is, I
    believe you can designate G-D parents without having them actually
    be part of the ceremony.
    
    Interestingly enough, I only recollect this being done for my sons.
    I do not remember any time being asked about a G-D parent for my
    daughter, as in when she was named.
    
    Can someone more knowledgeable than I shed a bit more light on this.
    
    Jack

    There is really no actual concept of G-d parents in the Jewish
    religion. It is basically the responsibility of the entire community
    to deal with cases where actual parents become, for any reason,
    unable to raise their children.
    
    Over the years the role of "Sandik" (the man who holds the baby
    during the Brit Mila) has become synonymous with "G-d Father" (proof
    is the xlation of the movie by that name). This is erroneous. The
    "Sandik" is indeed a very important honor and according to Kabbalah
    (Jewish mysticism) actually influences the future upbringing of
    the child, but he is by no means a G-d father at least within the
    normally understood context of the term G-d father.
    
    Cb.

    Re. .3
    
    I believe that the term you are looking for is "Kvater". I don't
    know the actual xlation of the word, but it refers to the couple
    who bring the child to the Brit Mila usually on a fancily adorned
    pillow. This too is an honor given at a Brit Mila. According to
    Kabbalah it is a good omen for having children and thus the custom
    to grant this honor to a newly married or childless couple.
    
    I believe that this too has been erroniously considered tantamount
    to being G-d parents.
    
    Generally there are many different honors that can be given at a
    Brit Mila. Just to mention a few:
    
    o	"Kvater" -- The couple who bring the child

    o	"Kisey Shel Eliyahu" -- A special chair, deemed the Chair of
    	Elijah, is designated and the child is placed on it by someone
    	and a prayer is recited. To place the child is a great honor.
    
    o	"Cheyka 1,2,3..." -- Before the Brit the child is lifted from
    	the chair and replaced. This can be done many times. It really
    	depends how many people the parents want to honor.
    
    o 	"Sandik" -- The person who holds the child during the Brit.
    
    o	"Brachot" -- The person reciting the Blessings after the Brit.
    
    o	"Amidah l'brachot" -- The person holding the child while the
    	blessings are being recited.
    
    Cb.

    Let me thank everyone who has so far replied.
    
    It seems that we are talking about a boy in most cases, what if
    any honors are given at the naming of a girl. Also I might add
    that the child will be adopted from Korea.