Every Season
Life Cycles
Birth, coming of age, marriage, conversion, illness, loss. Judaism has words and ritual for all of it, and our clergy walk with our families through every one. If something is happening in your life, call us — before, not after.
Birth, Baby Naming & Brit Milah
A new child is welcomed into the covenant and given a Hebrew name. Rabbi Luna will meet with you to plan a naming ceremony — at the temple, at home, or on a Friday night in front of the congregation — and can help you find a mohel for a brit milah.
B’nai Mitzvah
Becoming bar or bat mitzvah is not a graduation; it is the point at which a young person takes their place in the community. Students prepare with our clergy and religious school, learn to chant Torah, and lead the congregation in prayer. Dates are set well in advance — talk to the office early.
Weddings
Our clergy officiate weddings for members, meet with couples beforehand, and help plan a ceremony that is meaningfully Jewish and genuinely yours. The sanctuary and social hall are available to member families.
Conversion
People come to Judaism by many paths. Rabbi Luna guides candidates through study, practice, and the steps toward becoming a Jew, at a pace that fits your life. Conversations are confidential and there is no obligation in asking.
Illness & Health
Let us know when someone is sick, in the hospital, or recovering at home. Names can be added to the Mi Shebeirach list read at Shabbat services, and our clergy and caring volunteers make visits and calls. We cannot show up if no one tells us.
Grief & Difficult Decisions
At a death, call the temple first. Our clergy will help with funeral arrangements, officiate, guide the family through shiva, and stay with you through the year of mourning and the yahrzeits that follow. We can also talk with you about end-of-life decisions before a crisis arrives.
Simchas & Milestones
Anniversaries, graduations, new jobs, new grandchildren. Come to Birthday and Anniversary Shabbat on the second Friday, or share it at Good News Shabbat on the fourth. Sponsoring an oneg is a lovely way to mark an occasion.
Remembering
Yahrzeit dates are kept by the office and read from the bimah. Families dedicate memorial plaques in the Garden of Memories, and names are inscribed in the Book of Remembrance for Yom Kippur.
In an emergency, call the temple at (239) 433-0018. During office hours someone will answer. After hours, the message will tell you how to reach the Rabbi for a death in the family or a medical emergency.
Interfaith Families
Many of our families include people who are not Jewish. They are part of this congregation — at services, at dinners, at their children’s B’nai Mitzvah. Sensitivity to the needs of interfaith families is something we take seriously, not something we tolerate.
If you are in an interfaith family and wondering whether a synagogue has room for you, the answer here is yes. Come and see.
Forms & Paperwork
Yahrzeit records, B’nai Mitzvah date requests, facility use, religious school registration, and building requests are all handled through the office.