Frequently Asked Questions

 

Who will feel comfortable at The Temple?

Our members reflect the diversity of the area, coming from all walks of life and many different religious backgrounds and ethnicities. We welcome Jewish singles and single parents, interfaith families, Jews of color, and Jewish families in all their diversity, including LGBTQ couples with or without children. Our programs are designed to meet the diverse spiritual, religious, educational, and social needs of our members.

 

How can I get involved?

There are many ways to become involved at The Temple and to become acquainted with other congregants. During your membership process, we hope to get to know you personally so that we can connect you with programs, groups and classes that complement your interests. We offer a warm and inviting atmosphere in which you can expand and explore your Jewish life.

 

I don't read Hebrew. How can I possibly follow the Shabbat/worship service?

Our prayer books are written for all levels of understanding. The text is written in three types of wording: Hebrew, English transliteration, and English all on the same page. (A transliteration is a phonetically written version of Hebrew.) Throughout the service the Rabbis will guide the congregation through the prayer book so that the congregant may follow the service in the wording that is most comfortable to the individual.

 

How do I meet the professionals who serve The Temple?

We encourage you to get to know our rabbis, educators, executive director, program director and membership coordinator and other staff by attending Shabbat services and by your involvement in our programs and activities. You may also request a private meeting with any of our staff.

 

Why should I join The Temple?

Members of The Temple have access to Shabbat and holiday services, to our rabbis for educational opportunities and life cycle events, to our Religious School for children's education, and to our cemetery. More importantly, members of The Temple are part of a diverse, casual, thriving, and welcoming community.As a member of The Temple, you will be a part of a supportive family, a connected group of friends and a vibrant Jewish community. Your membership to The Temple also includes:

· High Holy Day tickets for those in your household

· Enrolling your children in the best Religious School in town

· Priority enrollment in the ECEC preschool

· Services of Temple clergy at lifecycle events

· The Temple Bulletin and other mailings

· Participation in educational programs and worship services throughout the year

· The right to purchase lots at The Temple Cemetery

· Knowing that you strengthen The Temple, the Jewish community, and the world

· We welcome interfaith families; our programs are designed to meet the diverse spiritual, religious, educational, and social needs of all our members. Interfaith families participate fully in all life cycle events, and are encourage to take an active part in their children life cycle events and education. Our Rabbis officiate and co-officiate at interfaith marriages. school for children, youth groups, an active sisterhood and brotherhood, young adults groups, and great opportunities to meet and connect with other people. In addition to many programs to meet different needs, there is an environment of warmth that makes us not only a special congregation, but a true community.

 

How do I become a member of The Temple? What is the process? 

We'd love to have you join us. Just click on the "Contact" button above, e-mail us at webmaster@thetemplelouky.org, or call us at 502-423-1818 for more information and a membership packet. Visit the Membership page for more details.

 

My spouse/partner is Jewish and I am not. If we join will I be welcome at The Temple?

Yes, all family members are warmly welcomed at our Temple. We encourage members to attend as a family so that the family unit can become closer and understand Jewish history, traditions, and culture.

 

When we join The Temple, will my non-Jewish spouse be expected to convert?

No. We are grateful for the support given to the Jewish spouse/partner and to participation at The Temple as well as within the home. We believe that conversion is a personal decision made only after heartfelt consideration. Such a decision needs to begin within an individual and we would not ask anyone to seek that path or push them in that direction. If however, someone did want to inquire about conversion, our Rabbis will guide you through the conversion process and the congregation will joyfully celebrate if and when the decision is made to convert to Judaism.

 

When we join The Temple, will my non-Jewish spouse be considered a member?

Yes. When a family/couple joins The Temple all immediate family members/partner are considered full members. All non-Jewish spouses/partners are welcomed and encouraged to participate on all levels including our committees, attend classes and holiday events.

 

Do you have other interfaith families at The Temple?

Yes. The Temple has many interfaith couples/families. Our goal is to welcome and include all members regardless of their religious upbringing.

 

What will be the status of my children in the Jewish community?

Since 1983, the Reform Movement has recognized the children of either the Jewish parent (mother or father) as Jewish if they are raised and educated as Jews.There are many children in our congregation's Religious School who have other religions in their extended families and our teachers have been trained to be sensitive to this.

 

We are considering enrolling our child in religious school. Are parents who are not Jewish welcome to participate in religious school programs?

Jewish tradition places a high value on family life. We encourage both parents to be involved in their child's Religious School experience and we welcome your participation. We offer a highly successful program for Religious School parents held on selected Sunday mornings taught by our rabbis and educators, designed to help parents learn and understand what their child(ren) are learning at Religious School. In addition, we have family programs and Shabbat dinners designed for students and their parents.

 

Will my non-Jewish spouse be able to participate in our child's Bar/Bat Mitzvah?

Yes. At The Temple we include the entire family. Both parents pass the Torah to their child as a concrete symbol of their support for Jewish education and in raising their child to the age of Jewish responsibility.

 

What are the financial commitment requirements?

We strive to offer a number of programs, support groups, and services to fulfill our mission and to meet the needs of our members and community. While anyone can join us for Shabbat services and many of our programs are free to the public, we do reserve certain benefits for our members (see Benefits of Membership). As part of our Covenant of Membership, we ask that each member of our congregation support the activities and maintenance of our Temple with an annual financial commitment.

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In an effort to encourage young Jews to (re)engage in temple life, we are currently piloting a hybrid financial commitment model that we believe best facilitates a vibrant future for our congregation.

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For more information visit the Membership Page