Lifecycles
At Temple Chai, our clergy and community are here for you for each of these moments. Supporting one another through each of life’s seasons is an essential part of who we are and what we do.
Please contact Joan Neer at jneer@templechai.com to learn more about the lifecycle events we offer.
Mazel Tov on the new addition to your family! Whether you’re planning a brit milah (“bris”), a baby naming, or looking to discuss meaningful ways to welcome your new child into the Jewish community, we’re here for you.
Bringing new life into the world is sacred and we’re honored to support you in celebrating it.
Becoming B-Mitzvah is a powerful milestone in a young person’s Jewish life. (B-Mitzvah is our gender-inclusive term for this milestone, referring to Bar Mitzvah, Bat Mitzvah, or the expansive term B-Mitzvah.) At Temple Chai, we see this moment as more than a single day; it is a journey of learning, growth, and connection. Through study, practice, and reflection, and gemilut chasadim (acts of lovingkindness), students build confidence, deepen their understanding of Jewish values, and discover their place within the Jewish community.
We partner with families every step of the way to create a meaningful and joyful experience that honors tradition while reflecting each child’s unique voice and each family’s Jewish traditions. We can’t wait to celebrate with you!
In Reform Judaism, Confirmation marks a meaningful step in a teen’s Jewish journey as they move from the brit (covenant) of fate to the brit of faith. Said differently, Confirmation is a lifecycle event when teens choose to confirm their Jewish identity and explore and articulate what Judaism means to them at this moment in their lives, and what they hope it will mean to them as they continue to grow. At Temple Chai, Confirmation students spend their 10th grade year learning with Rabbi Segal in a special class for Temple Chai Confirmation students during the BJE’s Hebrew High program, exploring what it means to live a Jewish life as a young adult. Together, they learn about discuss important topics in Judaism and in the world, including theology, Israel, Jewish values and ethical dilemmas, what it means to pray, and how to construct your own Jewish practice that is relevant and meaningful in your life.
Confirmation also typically includes a trip to Washington DC through the Religious Action Center’s L’Taken Social Justice Seminar, during which our students learn about how Jewish values show up in the political arena and then spend a day lobbying on Capitol Hill on a topic of their choosing.. The year culminates in a beautiful and empowering Confirmation ritual as the class leads the community in a Havdalah and Confirmation Service, celebrating their growth, learning, and commitment to Jewish life.
Consecration is a joyful and meaningful milestone that marks a child’s entrance into formal Jewish learning. It typically takes place at the beginning of kindergarten or when a child begins their Jewish education and is celebrated as part of our Simchat Torah festivities.
During the ceremony, children are blessed by our clergy and begin their Jewish journey. For families, Consecration is a beautiful moment of pride and connection, celebrating the start of a lifelong relationship with learning, community, and Jewish tradition.
Judaism welcomes those who seek to join the Jewish people with openness, learning, and support. At Temple Chai, we offer courses to explore Jewish life and tradition, along with thoughtful guidance through the conversion process. Our clergy are here to walk with you at your own pace as you deepen your understanding and connection. The conversion process is tailored to each individual, but it typically involves at least a year of study, exploration, and full involvement in Jewish life and the life of the congregational community. It is a deeply meaningful and personal experience and we are thrilled that you are considering joining the Jewish people
Introduction to Judaism
This 18-week course is taught twice a year by local Reform rabbis, including the Temple Chai clergy. The class offers a broad introduction to Jewish history, texts, holidays, and lifecycle traditions, and includes two guided Shabbat experiences, one on Friday evening and one on Saturday morning. Introduction to Judaism is required for those considering conversion, and it is also meaningful for partners, family members, or anyone interested in learning more or reconnecting with Jewish learning.
Find a local intro to Judasim class here.
Please contact Joan Neer at jneer@templechai.com if you are interested in learning more about converting to Judaism
Mazel tov on this exciting moment in your life. At Temple Chai, our rabbis and cantor have officiated hundreds of meaningful and personal wedding ceremonies, each thoughtfully crafted to reflect the couple’s values, story, and Jewish journey. From a Reform Jewish perspective, we work closely with you to create a ceremony that is spiritually rich, inclusive, egalitarian, and deeply personal.
Our open and welcoming values are why so many families feel inspired to include us in their marriage ceremony. We officiate weddings at Temple Chai and other locations where couples choose to celebrate. We invite you to reach out to one of our clergy to begin the conversation and start planning a wedding that feels truly your own.
We invite you to reach out to our clergy assistant Joan Neer at jneer@templechai.com
Temple Chai’s clergy provide pastoral support (emotional and Jewish theological support) to members and their families during times of illness, recovery, challenge, and need. Our rabbis and cantor reach out through phone calls, texts, hospital, or home visits to offer comfort, presence, and guidance. We also encourage members of our community to reach out to our clergy to share about the important events in their lives and to seek their support. We are here for you.
As part of our communal worship on Shabbat and holidays, we also offer the Mi Shebeirach, the prayer for healing, during which anyone in attendance (in person or streaming online) is invited to share the names of those in need of healing. The Temple Chai community is dedicated to supporting one another with compassion, whether navigating personal health concerns or caring for loved ones.
While our clergy have regular office hours, they are available for urgent needs (such as a sudden unexpected illness, imminent passing, or death in the family) at any time including on Shabbat and holidays, and we have an emergency phone line for moments such as these, ensuring that no one has to face difficult times alone.
Temple Chai’s rabbis and cantor are here to support congregants and their families through end of life and times of loss. From visits before a death to the funeral, shiva, and the journey of mourning that follows, our clergy offer guidance, comfort, and presence every step of the way. Our goal is to help you feel held by tradition, cared for by your community, and supported as you honor your loved one.
Temple Chai also provides resources and support for observing shiva, planning meaningful memorials, and understanding Jewish mourning practices. Whether you choose traditional or more personal approaches, we are here to help you create thoughtful and meaningful ways to remember those you love.
The Reform movement has a comprehensive guide HERE to help with preparations for a Jewish funeral.
Please contact Joan Neer at jneer@templechai.com to learn more about the lifecycle events we offer.
