Temple Emanu-El is a sacred space for Jews by birth, Jews by choice, and interfaith families. We embody the value of audacious hospitality and welcome you into our home to be part of the family.

Message from Rabbi Anderson

Hello! My name is Rabbi Spike Anderson and I am the Senior Rabbi here at Temple Emanu-El. In the Torah, our patriarch Abraham sets the example for us with his tent that was open on all four sides. Tradition has it that he deliberately kept his tent open so that he could see folks traveling from many different directions, and rush to welcome them with open arms and hospitality.

At Temple Emanu-El we know that every journey looks different, and some partners who walk together did not start in the exact same spot. We welcome interfaith families into our tent with the hopes that you will find comfort, rejuvenation, reflection and strength in our amazing community.

Many other religions proselytize, meaning that they seek to convert people into their religion. Judaism is not a proselytizing religion, meaning that we do not actively seek converts. I am letting you know this so that you can feel safe in your beliefs, knowing that it is not part of our mission to change you.

This welcome is really just the beginning of a conversation, which we would love to have with you. Please reach out to me, or any of the other clergy, to talk about how you and your family can be both happy and engaged at Temple Emanu-El.

FAQ

Are both partners considered members?

Yes!

Can both partners participate in lifecycle events? If so, are there restrictions?

Do Temple Emanu-El clergy perform interfaith weddings?

I don’t read Hebrew. Will I be able to understand the service?

Does Temple Emanu-El offer any education for the partner of a different faith?

Does Temple Emanu-El expect the partner of a different faith to eventually convert?

I maintain my non-Jewish religious upbringing. Is that a problem?

Although we raise our children as Jews our extended family is a different faith. How can they feel welcome at our lifecycle celebrations?

Resources to help you participate, engage, learn and connect.

Are you attending a Jewish service for the first time or just need a refresher? While prayer services vary widely from temple to temple, there are some standard prayers and rituals that most temples practice. From the warm up prayers (p'sukai d’zimra) to the sermon (d’var Torah), this video guides you through all the different sections of a typical Jewish service.

For more videos like this one, check out BimBam, an online platform that uses digital storytelling to spark connections to Judaism for learners of all ages.