A Wise Vision

Stephen S. Wise Temple is the sacred home to every Jew who wants to be a part of a vibrant and dynamic community – to engage in meaningful learning, to seek inspiration and relevance in his/her own spiritual growth, to care for one another and the world around them, and to demonstrate an unwavering commitment to Israel and our people.

There are five core values that comprise our vision and guide us into the future

Lifelong Learning

Wise is a center of learning for people of all ages in which we experience Torah as a living document, engage compelling teachers from our community and throughout the world, and create a culture that inspires learners of all abilities and levels of knowledge.

Community

Wise is a community that belongs to you and to which you belong. Our Temple is a second home – a place where members spend time, deepen relationships with friends, and add greater meaning to their lives. And, our members offer the comforts of home/family as we celebrate with one another in times and support one another in times of sorrow.

Worship and Spirituality

Worship of the Divine within a community both grounds us and connects us to a higher purpose. We move toward that purpose through worship experiences that are compelling and engaging, and by recognizing that spiritual moments can occur at any time – even when we least expect them.

Israel and Peoplehood

We have a relationship with the Jewish people in Israel and throughout the world. This relationship requires us, as Jews, to be strongly connected at all times, not just in times of crisis. We also recognize that cultivating this relationship helps us understand other Jewish cultures and customs and enhances our understanding of what it means to be a Jew. 

Social Justice

We are the stewards for the world God creates, working in partnership to repair an often broken world. We see the purpose of living Jewishly as not only to improve our own lives, but to be more human and have a positive impact on the lives of others. 

We are a Reform congregation and are members of the Union for Reform Judaism  (URJ), the umbrella organization for the Reform movement.