CONGREGATION OHABAI SHOLOM

WELCOME! Our mission is to create a home for Jews of all walks of life in Middle Tennessee through social, educational and worship experiences that are steeped in Torah. We place a high priority on learning, creating a lifelong learning mind set for all our congregants. We are happy that you are interested in our Congregation. Please share with us in our worship services on Friday evenings and Saturday mornings. We hope you will visit our Temple, tour our facilities and meet with our members and staff.

WHAT IS THE TEMPLE? The Temple is the oldest and largest Jewish house of worship in Nashville. Congregation Ohabai Sholom was established in 1851 and was known as the Vine Street Temple. When the Union of American Hebrew Congregations was formed in 1873, the Temple was one of its founding members.

WHAT ARE OUR GOALS? The Temple strives to serve Judaism and Temple members through worship services, Jewish education for children and adults, social and cultural activities, special experiences for all ages, and ceremonies involved in the cycles of life. Bar and Bat Mitzvah (at the age of 13 or for adults) are as much a part of our programs as is Confirmation for young people in the tenth grade. Also, the right of burial in consecrated ground in our Temple Cemetery may be purchased by members.

WHO ARE OUR STAFF? Our Rabbis, Cantor, Educator, Administrator and Membership Director as well as clerical and maintenance personnel. Our Rabbis and staff, together with involved and committed members of the Congregation, work to promote the totality of Jewish values and Jewish experience through personal service to members, activities within the Jewish and larger communities, and involvement in the national bodies of Reform Judaism.

WHO ARE OUR MEMBERS? Any person, eighteen years or older, who accepts the ideals of the Jewish faith may become a Temple member. The unit of membership is the individual, or in the case of married persons, the couple. Members’ dependent children are included in the memberships of their parents.

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE A MEMBER? We cordially invite you to make The Temple your religious home and to become part of our congregational family. We hope that you will find that you belong with us. Call our office or make an appointment with one of our Rabbis or our Cantor or Administrator if you have questions about Temple membership. Please complete and return this membership application and the family record to our Membership Director.

ARE THERE SEVERAL KINDS OF MEMBERSHIP? In our Temple, affiliation is of one kind, regular membership, wherein all members have the same rights and responsibilities. There are no partial or associate memberships.

HOW IS OUR TEMPLE SUPPORTED? The Temple has a dues plan for raising the funds necessary for the maintenance of the Congregation. The Congregation will make it possible for any individual or family to become a member at a rate commensurate with their ability to pay. We do not turn anyone away for financial reasons. The Temple does not issue High Holiday tickets, or charge for seating during the Holidays. We have a variety of fundraisers throughout the year to support our programming.