Policies

Temple Chai is a vibrant Jewish community rooted in ancient Jewish values. Relationships are always at the heart of what we do and we take the responsibility of caring for each other very seriously. We treasure the diversity of our world and welcome all who choose to join us.

We are not afraid to wrestle with a diversity of ideas about God, Torah, and Israel. As a community, our concerns embrace matters that affect the entire world, as well as the sacred journeys of our individual and collective lives. We strive to create a community worthy of trust. To accomplish this end, we have the following values and expectations for all members of and participants in our community:

B’tzelem Elohim
We are all created in God’s image (B’tzelem Elohim). We welcome people of every age, race or ethnicity, ability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religious background, social position, and socioeconomic status.

• We do the hard work of examining our own internal, unconscious biases.
• We respect that members of our congregation have different life experiences and individuals might perceive an interaction differently from each other.
• We respect personal and professional boundaries and, when unclear on a boundary, we ask rather than assume where the line is.
• We welcome the stranger (Jewish or otherwise) who wishes to join us temporarily or permanently in community.

Kavod
Our behaviors are shaped by the respect (kavod) that we give each other across our differences. In our interactions, we practice compassion (rachamim), loving-kindness (chesed), honesty (emet), and humility (anavah).

• Compassion (Rachamim): We approach interactions with intentional compassion, especially when we may disagree or feel hurt. We respond to harm with care for both the one(s) that experienced the harm and, where appropriate, the one(s) that committed the harm.
• Loving-kindness (Chesed): We commit to gemilut chasadim, acts of loving-kindness, without regard for repayment or thanks. We care for each other in many ways, including:
• caring for the sick;
• comforting the mourning;
• listening/supporting/holding space for those who are hurting;
• welcoming to our table anyone who needs a seat;
• finding common ground and humanity in times of disagreement.

• Honesty (Emet): We promote open and truthful communication that seeks to constructively address differences. Without sacrificing other values, we are courageously honest in our personal and professional interactions.
• We disclose conflicts of interest whenever they arise.
• We are honest and fair in our financial transactions.
• We endeavor to be transparent while protecting privacy and confidentiality.
• We give credit to those whose ideas or work we utilize, lift up, or share.
• We tell the whole truth with compassion while knowing that not every thought is appropriate to express. We do not withhold necessary information.
• Humility (Anavah): We understand that we all make mistakes and we are accountable for our words and actions. In times of disagreement or heated discussion, we stop and ask ourselves if we are not seeing the whole picture or if we may be wrong.
• We embrace doing the difficult work of t’shuvah (repairing harm) within ourselves, with each other as individuals, and within our community.
• We do not consider ourselves better than any other person nor do we treat others with disdain or negligence because of their perceived or real social status.

Kedusha
Temple Chai enshrines holiness in our community by uplifting causes for social and economic justice, protecting vulnerable community members, and striving for right behavior. We are morally and ethically responsible for one another. Our community is holy when we constantly strive for each member’s and guest’s safety, equitable treatment, and fulfillment of spiritual needs.

• Safety: Everyone entering our sacred space has the right to be safe and respected. We are aware of how our behavior impacts others and are sensitive to the need to repair harm.
• Power: We do not commit nor do we tolerate acts or behaviors that exploit the vulnerability of another, take advantage of a power imbalance, compromise one’s moral integrity, or create an intimidating, offensive, abusive, or hostile environment.
• Gossip: We refrain from derogatory speech, negative talk, gossip, and lies.
• Bullying: We oppose bullying, including any unwanted behavior that degrades, humiliates, or oppresses another person. Verbal, physical, and cyberbullying are never acceptable.
• Harassment: Harassment is not welcome in our community in person, by text, or online. Harassment includes but is not limited to:
• Unwanted verbal kidding, teasing, or jokes;
• Repeated unwanted flirtations, advances, or propositions;
• Offensive visual conduct, including leering, making sexual gestures, or display of sexually suggestive objects or pictures;
• Offensive or unwelcome physical contact (of a sexual or violent nature);
• Verbal or emotional abuse;
• Sexual favoritism or bias; or
• Inappropriate or derogatory remarks, or conduct, based on one’s ability, appearance, age, national origin, gender identity, race/ethnicity, or sexual orientation.

Concerns raised in good faith are welcome and the proper ways to do that are outlined in [DOCUMENT NAME FORTHCOMING]. Retaliation against another person for raising a concern about behavior is unacceptable and is a violation of this code.

We would like to thank the following organizations for doing the challenging work of creating and refining ethics codes for Reform Jewish communities. The Ethics Committee has been inspired by or borrowed ideas or phrasing from the following:

• Union for Reform Judaism
• East End Temple of Manhattan, New York
• Temple Beth El of Hillsborough, New Jersey
• Women of Reform Judaism
• Women’s Rabbinic Network

Kashrut Policy – August 8, 2022

The purpose of this document is to define how Temple Chai engages in the practice of kashrut (“keeping kosher”) in the purchasing, preparation, and serving of food for events sponsored by the synagogue, congregational affiliated groups, and all private rental parties and caterers that use Temple Chai for both member and non-member functions. While we recognize different members of our community observe kashrut in different ways, the goal of this policy is to ensure that everyone who enters Temple Chai, be they members of guests of our community, are comfortable in both participating in and eating at all events and programs to the greatest degree possible.

Policy
This policy applies to all Temple Chai events (at the temple, on its grounds, or elsewhere), as well as all events held within the temple building or on its grounds. Private events held elsewhere by congregants (e.g., B’nai Mitzvah celebrations and other Jewish lifecycle events) are not covered by this policy; however, it is hoped that members look to this policy to inform their thoughtful decisions around food
choices for their lifecycle event celebrations held off-site.

The following rules apply:

• Dairy and meat must not be offered during the same meal, oneg, kiddush, or nosh (or any

other time food is offered) at temple. This includes potluck events. Please note that both poultry and red meat are considered meat whereas fish is pareve (neither dairy nor meat).

• Meat served at Temple Chai events is not required to be kosher.
• Treif (pork, shellfish, and other non-kosher meat or fish) are not allowed on the temple premises

or at any program held by temple including off-site. Kosher fish have both fins and scales. If you are uncertain of a product’s status, please feel free to call the temple for clarification.

• A hechsher (kosher seal) is not required for dairy or milk products.
• Times when individuals bring their own meals without sharing food (such as ECC student or

teacher lunches, staff meetings where each person brings or orders their own lunch, or events such as picnics which are congregational events but where there is no sharing of food and during which temple does not provide any food), it is admissible for each person or family to determine if what informed choice they will make regarding eating dairy, meat, or a combination thereof. Note that treif is still prohibited at such meals.

Pesach (Passover)
During Pesach (Passover), in addition to adherence to temple’s general kashrut policy, we are forbidden
to eat all leavened products except “Kosher for Passover” matzah, matzah meal, cookies, etc. To allow for greatest possible participation, temple follows the Ashkenazic tradition of Pesach kashrut. This means that kitniyot (rice, corn, beans, and other legumes including products made with those ingredients such as peanut oil or rice flour) are not permissible. For children or employees bringing meals or for events during which individuals or families bring their own food with no food shared or provided by temple, each person/family may choose to follow Sephardic (allowing the eating of kitniyot) or Ashkenazic (disallowing kitniyot) tradition based on family/personal practice. No leaven is to be brought onto temple grounds during Pesach.

Catered Food at Family Events
The Temple will require that all catered food at family events be completely nut free. The Temple will ask that any caterers provide an ingredient list, to the extent possible, for review by families with allergies. At a minimum, caterers will provide a list of the Top 9 food allergens to be displayed with the catered food. The Temple will adhere to this policy but asks that families with allergies ensure that anyone with a serious allergy does not ingest anything with unknown ingredients or with known allergens.

Catered Food at Adult-Only Events
The Temple will permit nuts at adult-only catered events, such as the Gala and other adult-only events. The Temple will ask that any caterers provide an ingredient list, to the extent possible, for review by families with allergies. At a minimum, caterers will provide a list of the Top 9 food allergens to be displayed with the catered food. The Temple will adhere to this policy but asks that families with allergies ensure that anyone with a serious allergy does not ingest anything with unknown ingredients or with known allergens.

The Temple will make reasonable efforts to ensure that leftovers containing food allergens do not remain at the Temple, but again asks that families with allergies ensure that anyone with a serious allergy does not ingest anything with unknown ingredients or with known allergens.

Homemade and Store-Bought Foods
The Temple will continue to permit homemade and store-bought foods, as it has in the past, but requests the following:
1. All homemade and store-bought food should be accompanied by an ingredient list for the convenience of families with allergies.
2. Peanuts and nuts of any kind should be avoided, if possible. If the recipe does include nuts, ​please include a clear ingredient list to accompany the dish.
3. Notwithstanding the foregoing, families with allergies should ensure that anyone with a serious allergy does not ingest anything with unknown ingredients or with known allergens.

ECC, Religious School and Youth Events
ECC, Religious School and Youth Events will remain completely nut free, per their preexisting policies.

Exceptions
The Annual PB & Fluff event will be excluded from this policy and all extra peanut butter will be thrown out, or donated, immediately after the event.

Approved by the Temple Chai Board on January 16, 2024

COVID Policies

ECC and Religious School

Additions to the above items