Thank you for being a member of our Temple family!
We’re sharing answers to some of the most commonly asked questions by our members. For more information, please contact the Temple office at office@templecav.org or (260) 744-4245.
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Members of Achduth Vesholom may:
- Enroll children in our Religious School
- Access services, classes, programs, and social activities
- Serve on the Board of Trustees
- Vote on congregational issues and leadership
- Receive rabbinical services for life-cycle events, such as funerals, brit milah, and bar/bat mitzvah
- Purchase gravesites in the Temple section at Lindenwood Cemetery
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Our Mishebeirach list helps us come together as a congregation and community to think of those among us who especially need healing, care, and compassion. We encourage you to add your loved one’s name by calling the Temple office at (260) 744-4245 or emailing us at office@TempleCAV.org so that those we hold dear will be called to mind during our Shabbat services.
Names will remain on the list for four weeks. For those who wish to have a family member or friend’s name listed for longer, please contact us to make another request. Thank you for helping us keep your list current.
You also may share your loved one’s name during services when the service leader asks for additional Mishebeirach names. Learn more about the Mishebeirach prayer.
Rabbi Meir and the Temple’s Caring Committee are available to offer support and comfort, so please let us know when situations arise where we may be of help. We are a kehillah kedoshah, a holy community. Our Temple family supports one another during difficult times and joyous ones.
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Temple members in good standing have the privilege of acquiring spaces in Achduth Vesholom’s Y and YY sections at Lindenwood Cemetery. Find out more
Contact Temple Executive Director Samara Sheray at CAVadmin@templecav.org or the Temple office at (260) 744-4245 for information about locations, pricing, and details.
Burials also can be arranged at the Fort Wayne Jewish Cemetery. Contact President Dan Zweig at fwjewishcemetery@gmail.com.
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Please contact the Temple office at (260) 744-4245 if you’d like to purchase a virtual Yahrzeit plaque in memory of a loved one to be displayed at the Temple. Plaques are $500. Proceeds support the Temple’s Endowment Fund. Learn more about our yahrzeit plaques.
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The best way to learn about Temple news and events is through our:
- Temple Bulletin –Our newsletter is produced 10 times a year and delivered via email to our members. (For members who do not have email, we will mail you a copy.) The Bulletin also is available on our website.
- Weekly Email– This weekly e-blast to our Temple family is usually sent on Thursdays and includes the links for our online services and activities.
- Temple Website– Provides a calendar of activities and other information
- Temple Facebook Page– “Like” us at https://www.facebook.com/templecavfw and become one of our many followers.
To be added to our email list, please contact the Temple office.
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Food is an important part of our Temple life! Noshes at meetings, lovely Oneg Shabbat tables, congregational dinners, and catered luncheon after a b’nei mitzvah contribute to the community atmosphere at Achduth Vesholom.
We are sensitive to Jewish experiences and traditions. And we are mindful of those with food allergies. Our food policy states that:
- No pork or shellfish may be served on Temple property. (Brightpoint Head Start follows the no pork or shellfish rule when in the building.)
- At Temple-sponsored events, potlucks, and private events, meat and dairy products may not be served on the same tray or mixed in the same dish (i.e. no meat lasagna or cheeseburgers).
- At Temple events when meat or poultry are served, a vegetarian option must be provided.
- If applicable, food should be labeled “with nuts,” “gluten free,” “vegetarian,” “vegan,” “meat,” or “dairy.”
- Personal meals may include both meat and dairy.
- Kosher wine will be provided for Temple-sponsored events if Kiddush is recited. Grape juice also will be provided.
For the complete policy, including Passover guidelines, catering, and other procedures, please contact the Temple office.
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We are grateful for your assistance in sustaining a Jewish presence in Northeast Indiana! Ways to support our congregation include:
- Make an online donation or pay dues
- Become a member of our L’dor Vador Legacy Society with a planned gift
- Help the Temple when you make purchases through AmazonSmile by indicating you’d like your purchases to benefit “Achduth Vesholom Congregation”
- Register your Kroger Plus card as part of the Kroger Community Rewards program – find out more
- Sponsor and assist with our Corned Beef Fundraiser in the fall
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For questions about dues payments, please contact our Comptroller Jamie Fritz at accounts@templecav.org or (260) 744-4245.
Our Financial Vice President is available to work in a confidential manner with members to develop a payment plan or answer your questions about establishing a dues level. If your financial situation changes and it impacts your dues commitment to the congregation, we respectfully request that you communicate with us.
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Our High Holy Days services are open to all. We do not require tickets to attend and guests are welcome. Please let us know if you’ve met someone new to our Jewish community so that we may reach out to them.
Members and guests often ask about making a donation to the Temple in appreciation for the lovely services and to assist our year-round efforts. Donations envelopes are available at the Temple. Online donations also may be made.
If you’re traveling to another Union for Reform Judaism congregation that requires tickets for the holidays, please contact the Temple office as soon as possible. We can provide a letter verifying that you’re a member in good standing of Achduth Vesholom in order to obtain tickets at another Reform congregation.
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We would love to talk to you about your event and what space(s) might be suitable for rental inside the Temple or on our grounds.
Please contact Executive Director Samara Sheray at CAVadmin@templecav.org or (260) 744-4245 for more information.
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Information about absentee ballot procedures will be provided to members prior to a congregational meeting. Members in good standing who are unable to attend may vote absentee. For any virtual meetings during the pandemic, procedures may be modified.
In general, absentee ballots are available two weeks prior to the meeting and must be received by the Secretary prior to the start of the meeting. Absentee ballots must be signed by the voter and submitted to the office in person, by U.S. Mail, by fax, or by email of a PDF copy of the ballot.
Absentee ballots are counted when the vote is taken at the Annual or Special meeting. Absentee ballots submitted by members in good standing are counted as part of the quorum. In order to vote at a meeting, a congregant must be a member in good standing, which is defined as a member of the Congregation whose dues, assessments and other fees are certified by the Treasurer to be current. If you have any questions regarding your status, please contact our Financial Vice President.
Each adult member (18 years of age and over) shall have one vote. There is a limit of two votes per membership unit living in the same household. There is a limit of two absentee ballots per membership unit.
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For your tax planning purposes, our guidelines for establishing the date when dues payments and donations are received:
- If by mail, the postmarked date
- If hand delivered, the date received at the Temple
- If by phone (credit cards only), the date of the call
- Any gifts of appreciated securities must be received into the Temple’s account on or before December 15. Contact Robin Tribbett, Senior Vice President – Investments at Wells Fargo Advisors, at (260) 423-4861 for further information. Wells Fargo Advisors is a trade name used by Wells Fargo Clearing Services, LLC Member SIPC, a registered broker-dealer and non-bank affiliate of Wells Fargo & Company.