Torah Statement
Temple Emanu-El is a traditional reform synagogue and member of the Union for Reform Judaism (URJ web site). Located in Dunwoody, Georgia - a suburban community north of Atlanta - Temple Emanu-El is a spiritual home for a thriving and vibrant Jewish congregation. Dunwoody is a center of Jewish activities in Atlanta, home to a number of synagogues (reform, conservative, and orthodox) and the Marcus Jewish Community Center of Atlanta (MJCCA web site).
At Temple Emanu-El, we believe that Judaism's stories, wisdom, traditions, obligations and values enrich our lives and our world. While preserving our roots in the Jewish past, we are excited by our people's reach into a meaningful future. It is our top priority as a Kehillah Kedoshah, a sacred assembly, to be a part of that community which will determine Judaism's future.
On a micro level, we support the family - in partnership with the synagogue - as the chief conveyor of Jewish identity. On a macro level, we feel a keen connection with Jews everywhere and take to heart the injunctions, Kol Yisrael arevim zeh ba-zeh, "All Israel is responsible for one another." We care for all people because we are all made b'tzelem Elohim, "in the image of God."
We are committed to the following core values :
Talmud Torah
We embrace sacred study for its own sake, even as we acknowledge that an individual who is involved in serious study can make meaningful decisions about his/her personal practices and beliefs.
Mitzvot and Gemilut Chassadim
Judaism calls upon us to respond to our ethical and moral imperatives through deeds of loving kindness, and to be committed seriously to an evolving personal and communal pattern of ritual practices.
Kehillah Kedoshah
Our sacred community is blessed not only by our own spiritual journeys, but by the warmth and caring which we extend to each other and to all who would seek our companionship.