Life Cycle Rituals

At Congregation Etz Chaim, we recognize that it is our role to support one another in times of joy as well as times of sadness.

In addition to contacting the funeral home to make arrangements, we ask that the following protocol be followed to make sure you get the spiritual guidance and care that you need as quickly as possible:

If your loss occurs during normal business hours, please contact the synagogue directly at 770-973-0137. You will be shortly forwarded to a member of our rabbinic team.

If your loss occurs after normal business hours (9 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday-Thursday, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. on Friday) please contact the synagogue and press x122, for our Executive Director, Marty Gilbert. The call will forward immediately to him. He will then be in touch with our clergy who will be in touch to assist you.

If a loss occurs on Shabbat, please follow the same above protocol to be in touch with Marty Gilbert. Please note that if the loss occurs during Shabbat services that there will likely be some lag time until you get a reply. Our clergy will be informed and contact you immediately following the conclusion of Shabbat (time varies based on sundown).

***Please note that funeral times may not be finalized with the Funeral Home until confirming availability of our rabbinic staff.

***Additionally, for use of our synagogue Chevra Kaddisha (burial society), please inform the funeral home that you would like a tahara, (a ritual washing), as a part of your arrangements. The funeral home will contact the Chevra Kaddisha directly.

In preparation for your intake meeting with our rabbis, you may read about the various rituals associated with Jewish death and Mourning here.