Life Cycle Events

Among the privileges of Temple membership is having Rabbi Chava Koster and Cantor Faith Steinsnyder officiate at life cycle events.This guide identifies those events that are included in membership fees, and those events for which the clergy will charge a special fee. Also, please note that when the Rabbi does officiate free of charge, it is customary to make a donation to the Temple to mark the occasion.

• Brit/Baby Naming: There is no charge when the Rabbi officiates at a Brit or Baby Naming for the child of a member. If the Baby Naming is for a grandchild of a member, there is no fee if the ceremony is held during a Shabbat evening or morning service. In these cases, it is customary for the member family to sponsor the Oneg Shabbat. If the ceremony for a grandchild is not held during a Village Temple Shabbat evening or morning service, or is for any other relative, the Rabbi will charge a fee.
  
• Weddings: There is no charge when the Rabbi officiates at the wedding of Village Temple members or their adult children (age 30 or under). The Rabbi will charge a fee for all others, including weddings of adult children over age 30.
  
• Funerals: There is no fee when the Rabbi officiates at a funeral of a member, a parent of a member, or a child of a member. For all other relatives, the Rabbi will charge a fee.
  
• Unveilings: An unveiling is a brief graveside ceremony that does not require the presence of a Rabbi. The Rabbi will be happy to provide copies of the prayers that may be read. However, as her schedule permits, the Rabbi will accommodate congregants who wish to have her officate at an unveiling for a member, a parent or a child of a member.

Please bear in mind that the Rabbi’s services are subject to her availability. These activities do not take precedence over those the Rabbi must perform as part of her duties at the Village Temple.

A schedule of the standard fees Rabbi Koster currently charges for her services is available in the Temple office. As with all other fees at the Village Temple, if these should pose a hardship, please discuss the matter with the Rabbi, the Financial Secretary or other Temple officer.