Messages from our Members
“I grew up a member of Tree of Life Congregation, as did our two sons, and I’ve had the honor of serving as our temple’s president as well as chronicling our history in a joint project with my wife, Belinda, for TOL’s 100th anniversary in 1996.
Tree of Life has a long, distinguished history of representing the highest values of Reform Judaism in the Palmetto State, and our family will always treasure our relationships and associations there.”
- Richard Gergel, U.S. District Judge in Charleston and co-author of “In Pursuit of the Tree of Life.”
“We both felt a spiritual pull to Judaism, and we went through the conversion process under the warm, welcoming guidance of Rabbi Uriarte before we joined the congregation. What a great decision! We were instantly welcomed and have become active members while building new friendships that will last a lifetime. Getting married on the bimah was one of the first of many happy memories we’ve already made at TOL.”
- Kathie and Jay Janssen
"Our daughter and son grew up at Tree of Life, and so did I. Like me they were active in the Religious School and seeing them mature into confident young adults has been one of the most rewarding parts of my life. As an involved parent, I cherished the way the school and congregation provided a nurturing environment that deepened their Jewish identity, created lasting friendships, and strengthened our family’s connection to this wonderful community."
- Laney Cohen
