At Kol Tzedek we share our lives with one another, celebrate simchas, joyous occasions, together, and support one another through illness and grief. We are inheritors and innovators of Jewish ritual traditions, drawing on the deep well of ancient words, weaving contemporary voices and honoring our lived experiences.

Spiritual leaders at Kol Tzedek are here to work with you to mark important life transitions with ritual and in community. The officiation of a life cycle event by a Kol Tzedek rabbi is a benefit of membership. Traditionally, members may choose to make a donation to the Rabbi's Discretionary Fund in appreciation. If you are interested in marking a meaningful moment in your life, please contact our office for more information.

Celebrating children & baby namings

Kol Tzedek celebrates the arrival of children and the transition this marks for families of all kinds. Whatever their path into your family, we celebrate children of all genders, newborn and older children, at home or in the synagogue, with or without brit milah/circumcision. Kol Tzedek spiritual leaders are excited to help you find or build a ritual that meaningfully marks this moment with you, your family, and our wider community.

Our Hesed Committee is available to coordinate support for members welcoming children. Please contact our office for more information.

Weddings

Couples who are celebrating love and commitment are invited to mark their simcha, joyous occasion, with support from KT rabbis and community. Rabbi Ari Lev is excited to help craft and officiate at a variety of ceremonies from feminist Kiddushin to Brit Ahuvim, including interfaith, multiracial, and queer ceremonies. Members are also invited to host an Aufruf or Shabbat Chuppah at Kol Tzedek to receive a blessing at a Shabbat service in the time before or soon after their chuppah, wedding ceremony. This is an opportunity to celebrate with the entire Kol Tzedek community and for us to share love and blessings with you.

B'nei mitzvah

Please see the KT B'nei Mitzvah page for more information.

conversions & affirmations

You do not have to be Jewish to be in community at Kol Tzedek, but if you are drawn to being Jewish or affirming a reconnection with Judaism we are excited to offer support, guidance, and affirmation. KT's spiritual leaders are available to accompany anyone interested in exploring their Jewish identity. For people interested in converting to Judaism we use a rubric called "Embracing Judaism with Kol Tzedek". We also encourage you to try out our current adult education classes.

gender transitions & name changes

KT's rabbis are available to members for pastoral care around gender transition, and can work with members to design rituals related to gender identity and name changes, including being called to the Torah for an aliyah to celebrate or making a special trip to the mikveh, a ritual bath.

death & dying

We accompany you in loss and grief, facilitating rituals and supporting grieving processes to hold you as you move through the stages of transition that can follow the death of a loved one. We understand that loss is as complex as relationships are, and that each mourner's path is unique and unpredictable. A rabbi or covering clergy will officiate member's funerals in the Greater Philadelphia area and can help coordinate and lead a shiva minyan if requested. Please call our office at (267) 702-6187 to discuss a funeral.

Members are invited to say kaddish out our regular services, including our weekly Thursday morning service. We will work with you to arrange for additional kaddish observances.

Our Hesed Committee is available to coordinate meals for mourners. Please contact our office for more information.

illness & hospitalization

The Kol Tzedek community takes seriously the mitzvah of Bikur cholim, visiting the sick. We consider our entire community to be responsible for caring for each other in times of sickness. Additionally, our spiritual leaders are available to make hospital and home visits to members as desired. Please contact our office to report a hospitalization or illness and direct us in the most appropriate way to respond.

Our Hesed Committee is available to coordinate meals for people who are ill and can occasionally coordinate rides to medical appointments, etc. Please contact our office for more information.

divorce

The Rabbi is available for pastoral care to members facing divorce and separation, and can convene a bet din for a Reconstructionist get, divorce.

d.i.y. rituals

​Sometimes we wish to mark moments in our lives for which there isn't yet a recorded ritual. KT rabbis and lay leaders are available to consult with members on designing your own ritual. For example, Reconstructionist communities have created rituals for retirement, leaving home for college, weaning, and menopause. A great starting place for contemporary ritual is Ritualwell. The power of a life cycle ritual comes as much from the ritual itself as from the support of the community that joins together to embrace the occasion.

sponsoring a festive meal

If you have an important moment or someone to remember or honor that you'd like to celebrate with your shul community, you might consider sponsoring an oneg.

​Tzedakah

In Jewish tradition, giving Tzedakah is one way to honor someone. Families are invited to donate to Kol Tzedek in honor of someone's life cycle or in memory of a loved one.