Frequently Asked Questions

WHO WILL FEEL COMFORTABLE AT WISE 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 Wise 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 WISE 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.

HOW DO I BECOME A MEMBER OF WISE TEMPLE? WHAT IS THE PROCESS?

We'd love to have you join us. Just e-mail us at Betti Greenstein or call us at 513-793-2556 for more information and a membership packet.

WHY SHOULD I JOIN WISE TEMPLE?

Wise Temple is home to the nicest group of people in town. At Wise Temple, we support one another with a caring community and a culture of inclusiveness. We have weekly worship opportunities, adult education, religious school for children, youth group, many groups and clubs, and great opportunities to meet and connect with other people. Not only are there so many programs to meet different needs, but there is an environment of warmth that makes us not only a special congregation, but a true community.

I'D LIKE TO JOIN, BUT I DON'T KNOW ANYONE AT WISE TEMPLE.

We have many opportunities for getting involved and meeting people, starting as soon as you join. Probably the best way to get to know people is to get involved.

WHY SHOULD I JOIN NOW? MY CHILD IS ONLY TWO YEARS OLD.

It is never too soon to be a part of the Jewish community. While we often think that synagogues are around to "teach Judaism" to our children, the synagogue's greatest purpose is to support and to enrich each of us so that our own confidence as Jews can become the example from which our children will learn. Synagogues provide ongoing opportunities to study, experience, and enjoy being connected to a Jewish community. We support this by offering reduced dues to young families. We offer special programs for families with Young Children called "YoFI" and a monthly Friday night Wise Tykes service.

MY KIDS ARE GROWN. WHAT DO I NEED A TEMPLE FOR?

While we offer many family-oriented programs, that does not mean that we are only open to families with younger children. In fact, so many of our programs are for adults, as we seek to nurture a mature development of spirituality and Jewish connection for people at every age of their lives. We focus on community building, with Sisterhood, Brotherhood, Eitz Chayim adult education, Wise UP social action programs, Synaplex and other special Shabbat programs, and, of course, our regular worship experiences. The temple endeavors to enhance your connection with other Jews and your personal search for connection and meaning.

WHAT ABOUT MY MEMBERSHIP COMMITMENT?

At Wise Temple we ask you to pay your "fair share self assessment." We have a schedule for you to use a guideline. No one will be denied membership due to financial circumstances. All Jews, or those with Jewish spouses or partners, are welcome to become members. Individuals and families who have questions about our membership commitment program may work with our Executive Director, Betti Greenstein, to determine a mutually agreeable commitment.

We hope you will choose to become part of the present and future of our congregation, and invite you to request a membership packet by calling 513-793-2556 or sending an e-mail to bgreenstein@wisetemple.org.

MY SPOUSE/PARTNER IS JEWISH AND I AM NOT. IF WE JOIN WILL I BE WELCOME AT WISE TEMPLE?

Yes, all family members are warmly welcomed at Wise 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 WISE 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 Wise 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 WISE TEMPLE, WILL MY NON-JEWISH SPOUSE BE CONSIDERED A MEMBER?

Yes. When a family/couple joins Wise 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 WISE TEMPLE?

Yes. Wise 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 called Gesher, and taught by our rabbis, 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 CHILDREN'S BAR/BAT MITZVAH?

Yes. At Wise 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.

8329 Ridge Road | Cincinnati, OH 45236 | 513.793.2556 | welcome@wisetemple.org