Temple Chai

San Antonio's Innovative Reform Congregation

 

About Temple Chai

In December 2004, twelve dedicated and caring Reform Jews met to discuss the possibility of forming a new Reform Temple on San Antonio’s north side. After many meetings and discussions with religious leaders, Temple Chai became a reality. Temple Chai became a legal entity, with its incorporation on March 7, 2005.

Even before that, Golden Manor Jewish Home for the Aged had been approached with a request to allow us to use their chapel for our Shabbat services on the second and fourth Fridays of each month on a temporary basis. Golden Manor welcomed us and Temple Chai’s first Shabbat service was held there on Friday, February 25, 2005.

On July 1, 2005 our worship services moved to the Holzman Auditorium of the Jewish Campus, 12500 N.W. Military Highway, where we also opened an office in Suite 260. At the same time, Cantor David Silverstein joined us as our Spiritual Leader. Worship services were held at this new northside location every Friday evening at 6:30 p.m. and Saturday mornings at 10:30 a.m.

Currently, Temple Chai holds Shabbat services every Friday night at 6:30 p.m., which are lead by guest clergy and lay leaders. The summer worship schedule, for June/July/August, is the 2nd and 4th Friday of those months.

Temple Chai considers membership to be a commitment throughout our life span.  It is for all to share and to draw upon as needed.  Membership is a sacred honor and a sacred duty.
 

What Does it Mean to Be a Member of Temple Chai?

• We are responsive to the needs of our members
• We are a friendly and inclusive group.
• We are creating joyous, engaging worship services where all may participate.
• We welcome intermarried couples and their families to full membership.
• We welcome individuals, couples and families of diverse composition and life-styles.
• We contribute to the vitality of the larger Jewish community.
• We are involved in our city and in efforts to make it a better place for all citizens.
• We seek to involve all members in some aspect of Temple life by offering opportunities in the pillars of Judaism: Torah, avodah, and gemilut hasadim; to grow in knowledge of Judaism, to participate in Shabbat worship, life-cycle celebrations and Jewish holidays, and to do meaningful deeds of loving-kindness. 

What Does it Mean to Be a Reform Jew?

• We are always evaluating the past in light of the present and future.
• We are guided by tradition and ritual practices that are placed in the context of the 21st century.
• We value religious education, for children and adults.
• We choose to study Judaism as a lifelong endeavor.
• We must be knowledgeable enough to make informed decisions about the what, when and why of our personal Jewish observances knowing that we can only choose what we understand fully, and cannot reject what we do not know.  Our actions and behavior are what ultimately matter.
• We heed the prophetic call to end injustice and inequity.