Temple Chai is a vibrant Jewish community rooted in ancient Jewish values. Relationships are always at the heart of what we do and we take the responsibility of caring for each other very seriously. We treasure the diversity of our world and welcome all who choose to join us.
 
We are not afraid to wrestle with a diversity of ideas about God, Torah, and Israel. As a community, our concerns embrace matters that affect the entire world, as well as the sacred journeys of our individual and collective lives. We strive to create a community worthy of trust. To accomplish this end, we have the following values and expectations for all members of and participants in our community:
 
B’tzelem Elohim
We are all created in God’s image (B’tzelem Elohim). We welcome people of every age, race or ethnicity, ability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religious background, social position, and socioeconomic status.

• We do the hard work of examining our own internal, unconscious biases.
• We respect that members of our congregation have different life experiences and individuals might perceive an interaction differently from each other.
• We respect personal and professional boundaries and, when unclear on a boundary, we ask rather than assume where the line is.
• We welcome the stranger (Jewish or otherwise) who wishes to join us temporarily or permanently in community. 

 
Kavod
Our behaviors are shaped by the respect (kavod) that we give each other across our differences. In our interactions, we practice compassion (rachamim), loving-kindness (chesed), honesty (emet), and humility (anavah). 

• Compassion (Rachamim): We approach interactions with intentional compassion, especially when we may disagree or feel hurt. We respond to harm with care for both the one(s) that experienced the harm and, where appropriate, the one(s) that committed the harm.
• Loving-kindness (Chesed): We commit to gemilut chasadim, acts of loving-kindness, without regard for repayment or thanks. We care for each other in many ways, including:
• caring for the sick; 
• comforting the mourning; 
• listening/supporting/holding space for those who are hurting; 
• welcoming to our table anyone who needs a seat; 
• finding common ground and humanity in times of disagreement.

• Honesty (Emet): We promote open and truthful communication that seeks to constructively address differences. Without sacrificing other values, we are courageously honest in our personal and professional interactions. 
• We disclose conflicts of interest whenever they arise. 
• We are honest and fair in our financial transactions. 
• We endeavor to be transparent while protecting privacy and confidentiality. 
• We give credit to those whose ideas or work we utilize, lift up, or share. 
• We tell the whole truth with compassion while knowing that not every thought is appropriate to express. We do not withhold necessary information.  
• Humility (Anavah): We understand that we all make mistakes and we are accountable for our words and actions. In times of disagreement or heated discussion, we stop and ask ourselves if we are not seeing the whole picture or if we may be wrong.
• We embrace doing the difficult work of t’shuvah (repairing harm) within ourselves, with each other as individuals, and within our community. 
• We do not consider ourselves better than any other person nor do we treat others with disdain or negligence because of their perceived or real social status. 

 
Kedusha
Temple Chai enshrines holiness in our community by uplifting causes for social and economic justice, protecting vulnerable community members, and striving for right behavior. We are morally and ethically responsible for one another. Our community is holy when we constantly strive for each member’s and guest’s safety, equitable treatment, and fulfillment of spiritual needs. 

• Safety: Everyone entering our sacred space has the right to be safe and respected. We are aware of how our behavior impacts others and are sensitive to the need to repair harm. 
• Power: We do not commit nor do we tolerate acts or behaviors that exploit the vulnerability of another, take advantage of a power imbalance, compromise one’s moral integrity, or create an intimidating, offensive, abusive, or hostile environment. 
• Gossip: We refrain from derogatory speech, negative talk, gossip, and lies.
• Bullying: We oppose bullying, including any unwanted behavior that degrades, humiliates, or oppresses another person. Verbal, physical, and cyberbullying are never acceptable. 
• Harassment: Harassment is not welcome in our community in person, by text, or online. Harassment includes but is not limited to: 
• Unwanted verbal kidding, teasing, or jokes; 
• Repeated unwanted flirtations, advances, or propositions; 
• Offensive visual conduct, including leering, making sexual gestures, or display of sexually suggestive objects or pictures;
• Offensive or unwelcome physical contact (of a sexual or violent nature);
• Verbal or emotional abuse;
• Sexual favoritism or bias; or
• Inappropriate or derogatory remarks, or conduct, based on one’s ability, appearance, age, national origin, gender identity, race/ethnicity, or sexual orientation.

 
Concerns raised in good faith are welcome and the proper ways to do that are outlined in [DOCUMENT NAME FORTHCOMING]. Retaliation against another person for raising a concern about behavior is unacceptable and is a violation of this code.
 
We would like to thank the following organizations for doing the challenging work of creating and refining ethics codes for Reform Jewish communities. The Ethics Committee has been inspired by or borrowed ideas or phrasing from the following: 

• Union for Reform Judaism
• East End Temple of Manhattan, New York
• Temple Beth El of Hillsborough, New Jersey
• Women of Reform Judaism  
• Women’s Rabbinic Network