Life Cycles
Temple Emanu-El is here for you at all of life’s milestone moments, both joyous and sad. Our clergy and staff are available to answer questions, provide Jewish insights and organize your events. In most cases, your inquiry will start with reaching out to a clergy member.
BIRTH
Mazel Tov! You’re having a baby. We hope you decide to have a brit ceremony. Brit is the Hebrew word for covenant. The covenant of circumcision, the oldest continuous Jewish rite. Taking place on the eighth day following the birth of a baby boy, this ancient ceremony announces the parents’ commitment to taking on the responsibilities and joys of raising a Jewish child. Brit bat, the act of welcoming infant daughters to this historic relationship, does the same with words and rituals.
B'NAI MITZVAH
The B’nai Mitzvah experience is a wonderful journey of learning and community, with your family at the center. It begins three years before the ceremony, with the assignment of a date. Students and their families begin forming community with other families in the fifth grade.
CONFIRMATION & CONSECRATION
Confirmation is the culmination of an exciting year of study, prayer, travel, community and tikkun olam in the 10th grade. The ceremony includes an affirmation of adult commitment to Judaism and students receive a blessing from clergy.
During the festival of Simchat Torah, we celebrate as a community the beginning of formal Jewish education of our youngest learners. The evening of celebration includes a dinner with families and continues on the bimah as the students receive their very own Torah scrolls.
Contact Andrew Paull, or call 214.706.0000, ext. 4801
CONVERSION TO JUDAISM
Gerut (conversion) is a challenging and powerful process of preparation that takes at least a year. During this period, the prospective Jew-by-Choice studies about Judaism, participates in the life of Temple synagogue and the Jewish community, and develops his or her personal commitment to the faith. Requirements include participation in at least two classes, Intro to Judaism and Choosing Judaism; practice of tikkun olam, or repairing the world; personal reflection and study; meetings with a member of the clergy and a gerut ceremony to formally welcome the new member of our community.
WEDDINGS
At Temple Emanu-El, we help make your wedding the once-in-a-lifetime simcha it should be. From sessions with the officiating clergy to the Shabbat blessing to the popular Goin’ to the Chuppah class, Temple provides a number of ways to connect and strengthen your relationship with each other and the community.
Contact Alice Martinez or call 214.706.0000 ext. 2010
END OF LIFE
Temple Emanu-El clergy and staff are here to answer your questions about Jewish funerals and mourning rituals, and to provide personal guidance, Jewish insights and written materials as you cope with loss.
At the time of death, please notify the Temple immediately at 214.706.0000 and you will be placed in contact with a member of clergy, who will work directly with you regarding the funeral, memorial service or minyan.
Yahrzeit
We honor the memory of our loved ones by observing Yahrzeit on the Shabbat closest to the anniversary of their passing. If you have a name that you would like read please contact us at yahrzeit@tedallas.org or by calling Temple no later than 5 p.m. on the Thursday before the Shabbat you would like it read.
Yahrzeit candles are available for purchase in the Judaic Treasures gift shop.