Why Join Temple Solael
Pres.: Id like to spend a moment with everybody here. I want everybody to say why there are at the temple.
1) Why am I at the temple? Today on TV they had a report that regular church goers are less likely to depression and more healthy. I enjoy going to services. If I want the organization to perpetuate somebody has to do the work.
2) Why we joined, and why were crazy enough to stay? I believe its incumbent to every Jew to belong to a temple to educate the temple and have a place to educate other Jews. Where do I belong? Temple Chaim Putz or Temple Solael? When we moved to the West Valley we went temple shopping, and came to Solael because we felt warmth. We hoped each temple had a similar vision but none had a vision statement. We made friends. If not for the enemies we would have left. We have grown up and made an attachment to the temple.
3) I'm here because my wife kicked me in the butt. To give my daughter as sense of belonging to the Jewish faith, a sense of belonging; look at all the friends.
4) I originally came as a preschool mom, and then I became involved helping [a fellow board member] in fundraising activities. The first year I did as committee work, then trustee, and it evolved. I have a lot of friends here; those even not close friends are still my temple family.
5) I joined to promote an extended religious social experience for my family.
6) Because (5) [her husband] said we're joining. My reason was I felt our daughter was asking so many questions, not belonging anywhere, and I, having had religious training, wanted her to have hers. My daughter has a real warmth and love for our temple, in services, youth group, and now summer camp. We joined another temple before here and nobody cared to know us, we were just a number to collect dues from. At Solael, from day one, we were welcome, and made to be a family. I love this temple, my friends, my extended family.
7) I came to Temple Solael from a different temple, where my son was Bar Mitzvah'ed, because they had a conflict I didn't want to be a part of. We had a conflict here and I wanted to be part of it and make it all peaceful and friendly and thats why I stayed.
8) We came because our kids were Bar Mitzvah training age and we do something at that age, this seemed at that age, we stayed because we came to feel it was sort of a special place, only place in our lives not bound up with career and income. Its about the only thing we do not tied to the daily activity of living. Its like when you were a teenager or kid. You have fun (not always) but always entertaining.
9) We were unaffiliated, our older son was in need of a Bar Mitzvah and needed a place, we went shopping, he liked Temple Solael the best and he picked it. Also the first people to talk to me were and it was a very warm place. The son found it to be a home first, he said "I want to go to more Friday night services that they say I have to". When we lost him [killed after his Bar Mitzvah in a pedestrian traffic accident] we really felt the family part. When the Sisterhood came to my house (after funeral) they looked like Saints (Jewish, of course).
10) We weren't affiliated, I had goals and plans, married outside my faith, and found it more and more difficult to fight the battle. My daughter was 13 and going to friends Ba* Mitzvahs; she came home upset that she had nothing compared to friends ceremonies. We weren't either doing anything with Catholicism. I tried another temple and couldn't even get out the door. It became apparent the kids and I were missing things; I met [..] when I came in and just signed up. He didn't have to do anything, introduced me to [..] and we hit it off well, it was a warm comfortable place. Then I met and I was stuck. My husband, afraid of my being connected, came into the temple a bit, and can be dragged into the temple. He was great.
11) My son decided he wanted to become a Bar Mitzvah 22 years ago so I joined. At that time the membership VP came to your house. I didn't temple shop. My son started at 10. Solael said they we would Bar Mitzvah him based on his passing his classes [others require attendance at a younger age]. He was Bar Mitzvahed with everyone. At that time a board member came to our home and we came to a Friday night service, signed up, and the Women from sisterhood hooked me into Collating and I havent stopped since.
12) I also joined because I wanted my daughter to have a Bar Mitzvah. I didn't want to have anything to do with organized Judaism. I was forced into it as a kid, couldn't stand the rabbi or services. I wanted my daughter to feel Jewish. I joined before High Holiday services a year ago, these were the best and I felt uplifted. People were wonderful to me, I felt a rapport and closeness. Friday night makes me feel good. The faces I see, the rituals, have enriched my life. I found a niche for myself. Now my daughter talks of Confirmation. Miracle time.
13) Like most people we joined when it was time for my son to get started. The VP of membership came to my house and talked to us and signed us up. I got active when I decided the kids wouldnt unless I did. We got active in youth groups when the kids were teens. They got me active again, and then I served as VP of Religion. A very close friend told me it was easy like falling off the log. Now I dont have any time [because of temple activities.]
E-mail comments and inquiries to us: solael-info@markv.com
We are a member of
UAHC - the Union of American Hebrew Congregations
Copyright © 1996, Temple Solael, West Hills CA, Most recent update 8 Jan 1996