Share Your Simchas With Us 

Thanks to Norman Cohen, Lois Cohen, Steve Sanders, and many other members of our Temple family devoted to this project, our Tree of Life now stands rooted in the Education corridor on the Sanctuary level, just opposite the elevator. Our magnificent Tree of Life goes back many years. In 1986, Mrs. Sarah Weinstein gave Temple Emanu-El its Tree, designed by noted American Jewish sculptor Sanford Werfel of New Jersey, in memory of her husband Isadore. It is comprised of 500 leaves and 12 stones at the base. Over the past 19 years, many of the leaves and stones have been inscribed in honor of special life-cycle events or in memory of loved ones.

You, too, can honor a special occasion with a leaf on the Tree of Life. Donations include $180 per leaf or $1,000 per stone. Simply call our Temple Office and ask for Marianne Porterfield at 933-8037, Ext. 239 or e-mail Marianne@ourtemple.org. We will help you create a permanent memory on our Tree of Life.

For a printable Tree of Life order form with examples of leaves and inscriptions, click here.

Life Cycle Events

Temple Emanu-El participates with and assists its members in celebrating all stages of life with a special warmth and a special sense of community and family. Our rabbis, cantor, and staff are always accessible for consultation about ritual observance and ceremonial arrangements. Brit Ceremonies — A Brit Milah (Covenant of Circumcision for a boy) and a Berit Bat ceremony (Covenant of Daughter for a girl) are special ways for Jewish parents to express their gratitude and celebrate the new addition of a child to their family. The clergy at Temple Emanu-El is available to advise couples on these ceremonies, which marks the bringing of sons or daughters into the brit, or covenant, of Israel.

Bar and Bat Mitzvah — Few things impact a child’s Jewish awareness and self-confidence more strongly than leading our congregational family in prayer. Formal Hebrew classes begin in the fourth grade, and in three productive years, our young people gain the knowledge and confidence to celebrate this important life cycle event.

Bar/Bat Mitzvah is actually the celebration of a beginning, as the child starts to take responsibility for his or her own Jewish identity. A Bar/Bat Mitzvah is a
joyous event for the family as well as for our entire
congregation.

Confirmation— In keeping with the Reform tradition, our Religious School students are encouraged to take on the moral obligation and dedication to Judaism which is exemplified through Confirmation.

We see commitment to life-long Jewish education as a goal for all our members. Confirmation, which is celebrated at the end of tenth grade, is one of the more important milestones in this endeavor.

The Figtree Scholarship, a generous award to be used towards a summer experience in Israel, and complimentary Temple membership through the age of 25 are among the rewards of attaining Confirmation at Temple Emanu-El.

Marriage — The celebration of the beginning of a life together as husband and wife is an intimate, joyful, and ceremonious occasion. The clergy counsels couples on preparing for their life together and the value of creating a Jewish home.

We also assist couples in shaping the ceremony to express their personal wishes within the framework of a Jewish wedding. As part of the celebration, the couple may be honored at the Shabbat service prior to the wedding with a special blessing before the Torah in the presence of friends, family, and congregants.

Conversion — Those interested in conversion to Judaism are warmly and enthusiastically welcomed at Temple Emanu-El. Interested individuals are encouraged to
participate in the basic Judaism “ReJewvenation” class and to meet periodically with our rabbis and cantor before declaring their commitment to Jewish life.

Death and Mourning — The Jewish tradition is founded on respect for those who have died and on providing comfort to those who are grieving. Members of our Temple Emanu-El family are there to comfort, support, and provide any necessary guidance to those who are bereaved.

Congregants are encouraged to turn to Temple staff for advice on the practical matters and ritual surrounding the occurrence of death, burial, and mourning. Our rabbis and cantor are available to officiate at funeral services for Temple members and their families, and are also available to guide families through the traditional mourning rituals in the days that follow burial.