Membership Policies

Membership Committee

The Membership Committee of Temple Emanuel is responsible for working with prospective and new members of the congregation to provide information regarding the spiritual, educational and social aspects of our congregation. The committee meets with prospective new members, introduces them to various members of our community, and generally helps them, once an application has been submitted and membership approved by the Board of Directors, to transition into the congregation as an active new member.

The committee and its members work to create a sense of community that has four main components: membership in the community, influence of the community on the member's life, fulfillment of spiritual and social needs, and emotional connection to the wider Jewish community. This sense of community is key to creating a successful congregation where members are active and engaged, in which people want to be active participants and where members contribute on a regular basis to its and their own Jewish life. 

The Membership Committee of Temple Emanuel works diligently to welcome a diverse group of persons who are interested in being a part of our community.  When a person, persons or family inquire about membership at Temple Emanuel, the committee works with the prospective new member or members to learn of their interests and needs and to help them connect to Temple Emanuel and the wider Roanoke community. Whether someone is interested in enrolling a child in our Sunday school or the Jewish Community Preschool, to become active in adult education, a participant in our Temple Emanuel Sisterhood or Brotherhood or any other area of interest, the Membership Committee seeks to help introduce and guide the new member to have a successful transition into the congregation.