Temple Adat Elohim > Celebrate > Interfaith Participation

Interfaith Participation

Welcome to Temple Adat Elohim: An Inclusive Jewish Community

Temple Adat Elohim (TAE) warmly welcomes all who wish to join our inclusive and engaging Jewish community. We invite you to explore, participate, and feel at home here.

Diverse and Interfaith Families in Our Jewish Congregation
As you enter our community, you will meet temple partners from a wide range of Jewish backgrounds. Some grew up deeply connected to Jewish tradition, while others came to Judaism for the first time. Some have chosen Judaism, and others have chosen Jewish loved ones. Our congregation includes individuals who are married, single, or widowed, as well as interfaith and interracial families. Together, we represent every age, ability, identity, and orientation.

A Supportive Synagogue Community for Every Life Stage
Because we come together from so many different paths, we form one congregation, one extended family, supporting one another through life’s journeys. We celebrate moments of joy, stand together during times of challenge, and create a community built on trust, friendship, and mutual care.

Interfaith Customs Guide: Helping You Feel at Home at TAE
We hope this Interfaith Customs Guide answers your questions about participation, customs, and practices. Whether this is your first temple experience or you have been part of TAE for years, we want you to feel truly welcomed, informed, and embraced by our community.

Ritual Practices

  • I am not Jewish. What do I do during a religious service?
  • Can I read aloud, or should I sit quietly?

Answer

We warmly welcome your full participation in our worship services and rituals. You are encouraged to read, sing, meditate, and celebrate alongside our congregation. As you engage in the service, we strive to honor your personal spiritual journey while preserving the beauty and integrity of Jewish tradition.

At times, we invite congregants to take on leadership roles during services. While many of these roles are open to everyone, we reserve certain responsibilities, such as leading prayers that affirm Jewish identity or express obligations unique to Judaism, for those who are Jewish. This includes reciting blessings associated with Torah readings and performing the mitzvah of adorning the Torah.

Life Cycle Events

  • Can a couple get married at TAE if one partner is not Jewish?
  • Will my children be considered Jewish?
  • Can I be buried near my loved ones?

Answer

Weddings & Interfaith Couples —  Our clergy are honored to support you through life’s most meaningful moments. They offer pre-marital counseling and wedding preparation, and they may officiate at ceremonies and/or provide wedding blessings.

Children & Jewish Life Cycle Rituals — We deeply appreciate the trust families place in us, especially interfaith families who choose to raise their children Jewish. Following the standards of the Central Conference of American Rabbis (CCAR), we joyfully conduct baby namings, brit milah (ritual circumcision), and bar/bat mitzvah ceremonies for children being raised as Jewish.

Funerals, Burial, & Mourning Support —  During times of loss and mourning, our clergy walk with you with compassion and care. They offer guidance, comfort, and funeral services that honor the spiritual beliefs and practices of your loved one. They provide counseling and create services that support your family’s needs with respect and sensitivity.

TAE Involvement & Leadership

  • Can I be a full TAE partner and participate in all aspects of congregational life?
  • Can I serve on the board or volunteer in other ways?

Answer

Full Participation in Community Life —  You can absolutely participate in every aspect of congregational life! We welcome all individuals and families who seek to be part of a vibrant, progressive Jewish community. We invite you to engage in worship, educational programs, community gatherings, and social justice initiatives.

Leadership & Voting Rights —  As an adult temple partner in “good standing,” you may vote at our annual congregational meetings. We encourage all adults to volunteer and to consider leadership roles within our congregation.

Positions Requiring Jewish Status —  Only two leadership areas, the Executive Committee and the Religious Practices Committee, require you to be Jewish by birth or through a formal conversion ritual.

Other Questions You May Have

  • Will I ever be pressured to convert to Judaism?
  • Do you offer classes for interfaith families or partners who are not Jewish?
  • Can I speak privately with one of the clergy?

Answer

No Pressure to Convert — We will never pressure you to convert. We value each individual for who they are and where they are on their spiritual journey. If you ever want to explore conversion, our Rabbis and Cantor are ready to guide and support you.

Learning Opportunities for Everyone —  We offer welcoming and accessible classes, including weekly Torah study sessions, for anyone interested in learning about Jewish tradition, practice, and ethics. These programs provide a supportive path for learning, regardless of background.

Private Conversations with Clergy —  You can always speak privately with our clergy. Our Rabbis and Cantor are available for personal conversations. They are here for you with a compassionate ear and an open heart.

Central Conference of American Rabbis Standards
For purposes of personal identification, we maintain the standards established by the Central Conference of American Rabbis (CCAR) in 1983.

The CCAR declares that a child with one Jewish parent is presumed to be of Jewish descent. This presumption becomes confirmed through appropriate, timely, public, and formal acts that identify the child with the Jewish faith and people. Performing these mitzvot helps both parent and child commit themselves to Jewish life.

Depending on circumstances, the mitzvot that support a positive and exclusive Jewish identity may include entry into the covenant, receiving a Hebrew name, engaging in Torah study, becoming a Bar/Bat Mitzvah, and completing Kabbalat Torah (Confirmation). For individuals beyond childhood who are claiming Jewish identity, other public acts or declarations may be added or substituted after consultation with their rabbi.