You are expecting a baby! Mazel tov!
 We welcome full participation from the diverse range of families at Temple of Israel who wish to have a Jewish baby naming or bris (Jewish coventantal circumcision). Here at Temple of Israel, we see baby namings and britot (plural of bris) as opportunities to create new Jewish paths for our growing families and can help connect you to blessings and resources for home or for congregational ceremonies.
We hope to join with you and all members of your family to help shape a Jewish ritual for your baby that will mark his or her entry into the world and our community with meaning and purpose. According to the Jewish Reform Movement, children with one Jewish parent (mother or father) are considered fully Jewish if they are raised and educated as Jews. Because we realize that decisions about birth rituals can be complicated, we can connect you to our rabbi who can guide you in this process. If you have questions, want to know your options, or wonder about the impact of your decisions on the religious identity of your child, please contact Rabbi Master at rabbi@templeofisrael.org .
Suggested reading: The New Jewish Baby Book by Anita Diamant
|
 A Bar Mitzvah, "son of the commandment," or Bat Mitzvah, "daughter of the commandment," is a Jewish rite of passage marking an important turning point in a young adolescent's life. As early as 200 C.E. rabbinic authorities declared that a boy aged thirteen was considered legally binding. It was not until several hundred years later that the first Bar Mitzvah ceremony was celebrated. In the 19th century the first Bat Mitzvah ceremony was celebrated emphasizing the equality between a young man and young woman's transitional state from child to adult.
To become a Bar/Bat Mitzvah, Temple of Israel students must learn certain prayers and blessings, study a Torah and Haftarah portion, and write a D'var Torah, or sermon, with the rabbi.
Myles Bramlette September 24, 2010
Sophie Forstein October 2, 2010
Max Englebardt October 8/9, 2010
Ruthie Perlman October 23, 2010
Ariel Dreyfus November 5, 2010
Joshua Lasky January 21/22, 2011
Matthew Gottlieb April 29/30, 2011
Meg Einstein February 19, 2011
Delia Rogers March 25/26, 2010
Lydia Gross May 21, 2011
Nathan Akerhielm January 13/14, 2012
Emily Siegel February 10/11, 2012
Joshua Marke June 29/30, 2012
Jonah Rehg August 31/September 1, 2012
|
The Temple of Israel has put together a B'nai Mitzvah Guide for candidates and their parents to help them navigate the year leading up to the very special Shabbat. Click here for a pdf of our B'nai Mitzvah Guide.
|
|
 At Temple of Israel, we see each and every Jewish wedding as not only an opportunity to create a vibrant and festive ceremony, but also as a chance to begin a couple's commitment to a vibrant and festive Jewish home.
Therefore, in helping to shape weddings, we welcome all couples that wish to get married with Jewish ritual and customs and begin the process of having a Jewish home, no matter their religious background or sexual orientation. We recognize the wide variety of Jewish practice that exists and will work with each couple to help them articulate what kind of a Judaism they hope to develop and grow in their marriage and home. If you would like a Jewish wedding, we will help you to create a Jewish wedding that is accessible to your whole family, meaningful, and connects you to our Jewish community.
Suggested reading: The New Jewish Wedding Book by Anita Diamant
|
Let your house be opened wide. -- Avot 1:5; Avot de Rabbi Natan 7
 Are you wondering what it would mean to become a Jew? We would love to help you explore this question. At Temple of Israel, the path toward becoming a Jew is created for each individual and can take many forms. For each person who seeks to become a Jew in our community, we aim to create ways toward Judaism that are engaging, accessible, joyful and challenging.
The specific process of becoming a Jew by choice at Temple of Israel also includes the following:
-
Synagogue Membership - must join at least one year after conversion
Services - attend 2 Shabbat services a month plus all holiday services
Meetings - must meet with rabbi once a month to discuss studies and personal experiences while going through the conversion process
Classroom - must complete Introduction to Judaism course (or equivalent) or meet with rabbi to work through into to Judaism curriculum on a one on one basis
Reading - completion of Rabbi's Reading List of additional reading materials
Personal Journal - reflecting on class and other Jewish experiences
Basic Brachot - Motzi, Kiddush, Shema, Candlelighting, etc.
Ritual - A conversion ceremony that includes a mikvah (immersion in the ritual bath) For men, discuss and recommend milah/hatafat dam brit, but not required
A festive public blessing during a regular Friday night service where we welocme you.
If you are interested in becoming Jewish, are not sure, or have questions about the process, please know we are waiting to speak to you! Please make an appointment with Rabbi Master by emailing him at rabbi@templeofisrael.org
Rabbi's Reading List
|
The Beth Israel Cemetery was established in 1938 and is located at Highway 250 & Highway 124. The Cemetery is accessed from the Graceland Cemetery entrance at 4814 White Horse Road. Beth Israel provides cemetery plots for the burial of remains of persons of the Jewish faith or their spouses, children and grandchildren in accordance with Jewish law.
To simplify access into the Beth Israel Cemetery, the Association has installed electronic gates at the Cemetery entrance. The code to the gates is the same as the combination for the lock that was formerly on the manual gates. If you need this code, please contact a Cemetery Association volunteer or the office at either Congregation Beth Israel or Temple of Israel. The new gates are simple to opetate and function similarly to those at many gated communities. Once you enter the code, the gate opens and remains open until you pass over a sensor embedded in the driveway. When you are prepared to exit the cemetery, the gate will automatically open when you drive over a sensor embedded in the drive on the inside of the cemetery. The gate will automatically close once you exit the cemetery. The pedestrian gate to the right of the vehicular gate remains unlocked at all times and the cemetery may be accessed through this gate too.
If you have any problem with the operation of the gates or need additional information or assistance, please contact one of the Cemetery Association volunteers as listed below:
Jeff Zaglin 864-419-6840
Dan Einstein 864-483-2999
Dale Goldman 864-915-7273
Jeff Dezen 864-630-7187
|
A gravestone in the shape of a tree trunk is often for someone who dies young. 
The grave of a Levi often shows a water pitcher to symbolize that the Levi would assist the Cohayn in his holy tasks by washing his hands.
The grave of a Cohayn may show the priest's hands as he is reciting the priestly blessing.
An acorn on the top of a headstone symbolize the greater life after burial. "From little acorns giant oaks grow"
A ball on the top of a headstone symbolizes the cycle of life or eternity.
A vessel on the top of a headstone symbolizes that the body is connisdered the vessel that holds the soul.
A Jewish star with the 2 letters Pei and Nun frequestly appear on Jewish headstones. The 2 letters stand for "Po Nikbar", which is Hebrew for "Here is buried"
5 letters frequesntly appear at the bottom of Jewish gravestones. Each letter, Hay, Nun, Tzadie, Bet, Hey stands for a word -"Hay Nafsh(o)(ah) Ts'ror B'tzror Hakhayim" "May his (her) soul be bound up with the bond of life"
|
|
