Code of Ethics

I. Exemplify Holiness (K’dushah)

Temple Isaiah welcomes all who wish to engage with our sacred community. Every individual who enters our holy community is valued.

• We embrace everyone without regard to religious background, age, ability, race, ethnicity, nationality, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital/family status, medical condition/disability, military or veteran status, political affiliation, or socioeconomic status.
• We strive to make all who participate in our community feel a sense of belonging with the expectation that their ideas and concerns can be openly stated and responded to with respect.
• We express openness and willingness to engage with all other members of the Temple community and support one another’s work.

Through these commitments and the policies set forth in this Code of Ethics (the “Code”), we strive to create a safe and holy place, a true sanctuary, where all will feel welcome.

II. Honesty (Yosher/Emet)

Temple Isaiah expects all who engage in our community to conduct themselves in an honest manner.

• We conduct ourselves in an honest manner and are truthful in communications and conduct.
• We promote open and honest communication that allows for addressing differences constructively.
 
• We uphold confidentiality, especially as it pertains to personal or private information about congregants, employees, volunteers, and business and financial data of the Temple, and do not disclose it without permission. For example:
  • Information to which we have access by way of a “need-to-know” to support our professional roles in the congregation, including personnel information related to employment status or progression, compensation, and performance management;
  • Employment-related information about others;
  • Personal information about others, such as health, finances, and marital matters.
• We respect the efforts of others and do not take credit for their work.
• We recognize, respect, and protect the intellectual property rights of our synagogue and others.
• We make decisions regarding synagogue-related matters with transparency, openness and accountability, unless confidentiality dictates otherwise. This includes adhering to placement guidelines of the (Central Conference of American Rabbis (CCAR), American Conference of Cantors (ACC), and Association of Reform Jewish Educators (ARJE) when hiring clergy.
• These principles extend to the use of technology, such as the internet, email, and social media, as well as texting and other electronic communications. We should demonstrate respect, professionalism, and good judgment when using any such technology. Special care must be taken to protect confidentiality when using social media (e.g., blogs, message boards, chat rooms, electronic newsletters, online forums, social networking sites, and other sites and services that permit users to share information and photography with others).

III. Honor (Kavod)

Temple Isaiah values acting with integrity. We are expected to behave in a manner that brings kavod (honor) to our congregation and to the community.

• We act solely according to the synagogue’s best interest when acting on its behalf.
• We refrain from using one’s synagogue position for personal advantage or benefit. For example, we refrain from hiring or firing, rewarding or punishing staff or volunteers, and awarding or denying contracts based solely on personal considerations such as favoritism, nepotism, or bribery.
• We conduct financial matters related to synagogue involvement with complete honesty. For example, we refrain from financial impropriety in decisions regarding restricted, committed, and discretionary funds.
• We are bound by a sacred obligation to uphold financial agreements made with the synagogue. If a change in personal circumstances occurs, we will inform those charged with managing synagogue finances and make appropriate arrangements.
• We consider the impact of accepting gifts, and doing so only in accordance with gift and conflict of interest policies on such matters, always being mindful of perceptions that such acceptance may generate.
• We conduct employment and volunteer-related practices in an ethical and legal manner.
  • We establish and enforce the appropriate policies and procedures to protect the employees of the congregation, such as fair employment policies, grievance reporting, and conflict resolution procedures.
  • We treat our volunteers with honor and respect.

IV. Compassion (Rachamim)

Temple Isaiah embraces the fundamental value of performing acts of lovingkindness (g’milut chasadim).

• We treat others with respect, dignity, fairness, and compassion. Our community embraces diversity and strives to promote equity and inclusion for all.
• We refrain from lashon hara (derogatory speech, gossip, and slander) related to members of our community, whether in person or on social media.
• We should be mindful of when our personal communications could be misconstrued as representing the views of the Temple or another organization, and refrain from such communications.
• We oppose bullying, including behavior that degrades, humiliates, or oppresses another. Bullying, whether verbal, physical, or online, is never acceptable. Such behavior includes making threats (e.g., inappropriate sexual, discriminatory, or hurtful comments), social misconduct (e.g., spreading rumors and exclusion), physical behavior (e.g., harming a person’s body or possessions), or cyber-bullying (similar conduct using electronic media).

V. Justice (Tzedek)

Temple Isaiah believes everyone entering our sacred space has the right to be safe and respected, and that we are morally and ethically responsible for one another (kol yisrael areivim zeh bazeh).

• We do not tolerate sexual harassment, including unwelcome sexual advances (including comments, bullying, electronic communications, stalking or invasion of privacy), requests for sexual favors, or other verbal, physical, written, or visual conduct of a sexual nature.
• We do not 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, discriminatory or hostile environment.
• We strive to protect those who appear to be the victims of abuse or neglect, including spousal abuse, child abuse, verbal abuse, physical abuse, and other types of domestic violence.
• We must ensure that personal boundaries, including those related to romantic and sexual matters, are always respected.
• We do not tolerate retaliation against those who have made a complaint under this Code.

VI. Addressing Allegations of Unethical Behavior

The Temple Isaiah Code of Ethics (the “Code”) will be communicated to all congregants, staff, and clergy regularly. Visitors and guests will be able to see the Code on request from the Temple Isaiah main office. The Code will also be published on the Temple Isaiah website. The Code will be updated as appropriate. Examples contained in the Code are not all-inclusive.

Temple Isaiah is committed to responding appropriately to allegations of conduct that violate this Code. The following procedures delineate how allegations of unethical behavior based on the Code will be addressed:

• Temple Isaiah’s President will appoint a congregant to chair an Ethics Committee for receiving and addressing allegations of unethical behavior and/or violations of the Code. The President will also select 2 congregants to serve as committee members based on the following qualities: integrity, leadership, independence, and ability to handle challenging and sensitive situations. A member of the clergy will also sit on the Ethics Committee in an advisory role. Members of the Ethics Committee should recuse themselves if an allegation is related to them in any way, including an allegation related to a family member or close friend.
  • The Ethics Chair & Ethics committee members be appointed annually.
  • The Ethics Chair & Ethics committee members will serve for two year terms, staggered. Individuals may be appointed for more than one term, with board approval.
  • The Ethics Committee will meet annually, or more often as needed. There will be an annual training/orientation for the Ethics Chair & Ethics Committee members, including topics such as how to ask questions, how to record information, confidentiality, how to handle sensitive subjects, note-taking, etc.
• The current Ethics Chair is Amir Axelrod. The current Ethics Committee members are Cynthia Menaker and Claudia Sherman. The current Ethics Committee clergy advisor is Rabbi Greninger.

• An allegation of unethical behavior can be reported to Temple Isaiah’s President, one of the Rabbis or the Cantor, the Executive Director, the Ethics Committee chair, a member of the Ethics Committee, or in one of the following ways:
  • Send an email to .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
  • Mail/drop off a letter to the office.
  • Call/speak/email with one of the above-mentioned people.
  • COMING SOON: Fill out an online form on Temple Isaiah’s website (for Temple members only)
  • Note: Anonymous reports are discouraged, but will be accepted, with the understanding that it is very difficult to follow up on anonymous reports and the Ethics Committee may not be able to take much action from anonymous reports, depending on how much information was provided in the report. We would ask anyone who wants to make an anonymous report to provide an anonymous email address, if possible, so the Ethics Committee can follow up with questions and discuss resolution, if appropriate.

• If an allegation of unethical behavior pertains to a member of a professional organization or the Temple Isaiah board with its own code of ethics such as the Central Conference of American Rabbis (CCAR), American Conference of Cantors (ACC), Association of Reform Jewish Educators (ARJE), National Association for Temple Administration (NATA), Union for Reform Judaism (URJ), or the Temple Isaiah Board Covenant, the Ethics Committee will determine whether to handle the allegation and/or refer it to the appropriate organization.
• Where an allegation raises the possibility of imminent and substantial harm to the person(s) of concern, legal obligations will take precedence and supersede any procedures otherwise delineated by this Code. The President, in consultation with the Ethics Committee chair, may take such action as deemed appropriate.
• Based on the details of the complaint, the Ethics Committee will determine next steps, which may include the following, depending on the particularities of each allegation of unethical behavior that is received:
  • Gather more information*
    • Internal (i.e. the Ethics Committee, clergy/pastoral care)
    • External (i.e. recommend that the board hires a law firm or trained investigator to investigate)
  • Refer the parties involved to a mediator and/or ombuds
  • Recommend to the President or Executive Director that they consult independent legal counsel representing the synagogue
  • Determine/recommend next steps/consequences (which may need approval from the President and/or Board - for example, removing membership)
  • Encourage reporting to secular authorities for civil/criminal charges
  • Where applicable, a Restorative Justice approach may be used, with a trained facilitator.
  • Note: All efforts will be made to resolve matters as promptly as possible. Timelines may vary based on the specific circumstances.

• Everyone involved in an Ethics Committee process is expected to comply with all the Ethics Committee requests to assist in information gathering. All steps, from initial allegation of unethical conduct to ultimate resolution, will be documented in writing, as appropriate, by the Ethics Committee.
• Confidentiality will be maintained throughout any Ethics Committee process to the extent practicable, consistent with thorough assessment and restoration of the matter.
• All attempts will be made to protect those who make an allegation of unethical behavior from retaliation.
• The Ethics Committee processes will balance the Jewish principles of judgment (din) and compassion (rachamim). All allegations will be responded to with sensitivity and compassion. Judgment will be withheld pending completion of a full evaluation. During information gathering and/or consideration of a resolution for an ethics violation, the committee shall bear in mind that, as a sacred community, healing and reconciliation are important goals to achieve for everyone involved.
• While there is no time limit to making an allegation of unethical behavior, the time that has elapsed since the alleged violation will be one of the many factors in the totality of circumstances considered by the Ethics Committee.

*If the alleged activity, based on the information already obtained, may be a violation of State or Federal criminal law, then no further inquiries will be conducted until law enforcement is consulted, as further inquiry by TI staff or community members may serve to hamper any potential criminal investigation.