Temple Emanuel is blessed with a population that spans the generations. Our newest members are just being born. Our most senior members are in their 90's. We even have a member who is over 100 years of age.
Life cycle events are part of the fabric of our congregation.
Brit Milah
On the eighth day of life we celebrate the Brit Milah (the ritual circumcision) of the boys born into our community. This ceremony goes back to Abraham. God commanded that all Jewish children enter into the covenant on the eighth day. Boys also receive a Hebrew name on this joyous occasion.
Baby Naming
We are an egalitarian congregation. When girls are born we welcome them into Jewish life with a special naming ceremony, most often done at Shabbat Services on Friday night.
Consecration
We officially welcome our young students in the community of learning at our Consecration ceremony. This takes place when the children are in kindergarten and during our Simchat Torah celebration. Our students are called to the bimah to recite the Shema and to lead the congregation in song. We ask God's blessing upon them and we present them with a miniature Torah.
Bar and Bat Mitzvah
Our young people affirm their connection to Judaism by becoming Bar and Bat Mitzvah. Boys become Bar Mitzvah at the age of 13. Girls can become Bat Mitzvah at the age of 12. These ages are the ages of religious maturity for our young people. At these ages they are responsible for living by the commandments that define our people.
Our Bar and Bat Mitzvah students conduct Shabbat morning worship. They read from the Torah and they chant a portion from the Haftarah (the prophetic reading for the week). Our students also deliver a d'var Torah and they write a prayer giving thanks for their blessings.
For our young people the Bar and Bat Mitzvah ceremony is a highlight of either their sixth or seventh grade year. Most of our students prepare for nine or ten months for this celebration. Confirmation-When our students complete the 10th grade we celebrate the occasion with Confirmation. This ceremony allows our students to confirm their commitment to Jewish life three or four years after becoming Bar or Bat Mitzvah. The students conduct the service, read from the Torah, and write an essay on what Judaism means to them.
Weddings
Many brides and groom enter into the sacred bonds of marriage under the chuppah here at Temple. Our sanctuary is a beautiful setting for a Jewish wedding. Rabbi Schadick often officiates at weddings at locations away from Temple Emanuel. Our rabbi is very happy to officiate at interfaith weddings if the couple is committed to raising their children Jewish and to being part of our community.
Commitment Ceremonies
Rabbi Schadick will also officiate at commitment ceremonies for gay and lesbian couples. Interfaith couples must also commit themselves to raising their children Jewish and to involvement in our community.
Funerals
Our sanctuary is the place that most of our funerals take place. At the funeral service we celebrate the life of our beloved departed. We are a small congregation and so when a member passes away it feels like we are losing a part of the family. Temple Emanuel has a cemetery inside Oakhill Cemetery in which most of departed members are laid to rest.