LIFE CYCLE POLICY
Temple Emanu El is proud of its tradition of caring for our Temple members in times of both joy and sadness through the work of our excellent clergy and staff. Among the benefits of membership are the services of our full-time clergy at the events and occasions described in this brochure, without additional fees. As Rabbi Emeritus, Rabbi Roberts is entitled to charge for his services.
Our life-cycle policy is based on the principle that the clergy, whose work we support through membership in Temple Emanu El, should dedicate their time and efforts primarily to the service of our congregants. This brochure is our effort to define the role and function of the clergy so you, our members, will understand the scope of our Rabbi’s and Cantor’s role in serving you and your family. Because no written document can cover every eventuality, we encourage you to discuss any questions with our Rabbi, Cantor or Executive Director. So that we can best serve you and to avoid schedule conflicts, it is advisable to contact the Rabbi or cantor as soon as possible to discuss upcoming events and needs.
WEDDINGS
TEE clergy are available, within the bounds of Jewish tradition, to officiate at the weddings of members and member’s children without fee. Our clergy may also officiate at the wedding of the parent of a member with a fee payable to the clergyperson’s discretionary fund.
CHANUKAT HA-BAYIT (Mezuzah)
TEE clergy will officiate at a mezuzah dedication of the home of TEE members.
BIRTH, BABY NAMING and BRIT MILAH
TEE clergy will officiate at the Baby Naming, Brit Milah or equivalent service for the children and grandchildren of TEE members at either a regular TEE worship service or in the member’s or child’s home. (Naming at a worship service is preferred because this joyous celebration reflects the traditional welcoming of newborns by publicly announcing and recording their names in the annals of the community.) The children of unaffiliated families may be named and welcomed into the community at Temple during a regular worship service.
PASTORAL COUNSELING & CLERGY VISITS
Our clergy are available to counsel members seeking guidance rooted in Jewish tradition. They are available to visit members and family members of those who are ill.
BAR & BAT MITZVAH
Our clergy work with our students and their families to make the entire Bar/Bat Mitzvah experience both joyous and sacred. The qualifications for Bar/Bat Mitzvah at Temple Emanu El are available from the Religious School.
FUNERALS and UNVEILINGS
TEE clergy officiate without fee at the funeral or monument unveiling of a member or the child of a member. TEE clergy will officiate at funeral services for the non-affiliated parent, grandparent, sibling, or ‘in-law’ of a TEE member or when, in the judgment of TEE clergy, the responsibility for funeral arrangements has fallen upon a TEE member. An honorarium in the amount set by the Greater Cleveland Board of Rabbis will be payable to the discretionary fund of the clergyperson officiating at the funeral service. Full time TEE clergy are not available for funerals in families without synagogue affiliation.
CONVERSION/GERUT
Membership is not required to begin the process of becoming Jewish. Upon the recommendation of TEE clergy, candidates for conversion must affiliate prior to their ceremony of gerut.
KADDISH LIST
The names of recently deceased members and recently deceased family of TEE members along with the names in our members’ Yahrzeit records and those inscribed on our perpetual memorial tablets are printed in our service bulletin and read aloud at services. Members may request that other names be printed in the Kaddish list and mentioned at services. Names submitted by non-members will be read aloud at services.
GUEST CLERGY
Guest clergy may officiate at life cycle events for our members or participate in services at the invitation of our Rabbi.
BUILDING USAGE
We encourage you to use our temple as the venue for celebrations. The Board of Trustees sets the fees and conditions for the use of temple facilities. Please discuss the details with our Executive Director.
A WORD ABOUT DONATIONS
Since the dawn of our traditions - at life’s significant moments - it has been customary to materially express our thanks to God, our support for the institutions that bring us closer to the Divine and the individuals whose lives are dedicated to this service.
