Life Cycle Events
Throughout history and across the world, people from different cultures and religions have created ceremonies to mark the unique passages that make up our human experience. Judaism provides a guide for celebrating life cycle events such as Bar and Bat Mitzvahs and weddings and helps us cope with mourning and loss.
B'nai Mitzvah
The B'nai Mitzvah (the plural of Bar/Bat Mitzvah) experience combines joyous and solemn moments. Welcoming young people as adults into our Jewish community enriches us all. At Temple Isaiah, our staff, clergy, and families collaborate to give our youth a deeply meaningful experience, while at the same time helping them to celebrate a milestone in a joyous and memorable way. Our Religious School provides extensive preparation for the rituals of B'nai Mitzvah for youth. Learn more.
In recent years, Temple Isaiah has offered a two-year program of study providing opportunities for adults to become B'nai Mitzvah. Learn More
Confirmation
Early Reform rabbis created the ceremony of confirmation to provide young people an opportunity to "confirm" their faith as Jews and to assume a full role in the Jewish community. Just as the Jewish people at Sinai spoke of their acceptance of Judaism, so our children are called upon to come before their God, their families, and their congregation to say: "Based upon what I understand Judaism to be and upon what it means to me, I am willing to take my place today among the countless generations that have gone before me. I am willing to declare my acceptance, my confirmation of my Judaism." At Temple Isaiah, our teens become confirmed on Erev Shavuot of their 10th grade year. Learn more.
Marriage
Mazel Tov to you and your partner! Our rabbis work closely with couples to help them plan and prepare not just for their wedding day, but also for the marriage that will follow.
Conversion
Programming and support are made available to all Jews, including Jews-by-choice, those considering conversion, interfaith families, and parents whose children are involved in interfaith relationships. We provide information, classes, and a network of friends for this population, and help in sensitizing the congregation and the community to their needs.
Death and Bereavement
Please notify the Temple office immediately upon the death of a family member so that we can offer support and assistance. The Temple's answering service can reach our clergy after normal business hours in the event of a death. The Bereavement Committee consoles those who have suffered a loss and facilitates the bereavement process, in keeping with Jewish tradition and Temple Isaiah custom.
Yahrzeit
Yahrzeit is a commemoration of the anniversary of the death of a relative. It includes reciting the Mourner's Kaddish and lighting a Yahrzeit candle, a special memorial candle that burns for 24 hours. Only one Yahrzeit candle needs to be lit per household. (Today, some people use an electric bulb instead of a candle for safety reasons.) The Yahrzeit candle should be lit after dark on the evening before the anniversary of the death and should burn for a full 24 hours. Many people visit the graves of the deceased on the Yahrzeit. Some people observe Yahrzeit by fasting.
The name of the deceased relative is read at Shabbat services on the Shabbat closest to the anniversary of the death. Mourners may follow the Hebrew or English calendar in reckoning the date of the Yahrzeit. Inform the Temple office of your preference. A Yahrzeit notification letter is sent from the Temple. Attendance at this service is a sacred mitzvah.
Yizkor
Yizkor is a mourning service for those who have lost an immediate family member. It occurs four times a year: on Yom Kippur, the last days of Pesach and Sukkot, and on Shavuot.
