converting toddler to Judaism -- question about making contribution to temple

[Anonymous]

hi, all. we are converting our toddler. we have asked a very nice rabbi to perform the ceremony. we don't belong to his temple (or any temple), but we'd like to make a nice contribution. he isn't charging us anything. what is an appropriate contribution? thanks for your input.

by the way, we're still shopping around for temples. we really love this rabbi, but his temple is a little too far for us. we're looking for a temple welcoming for interfaith families. we live in D.C. and have attended services all over northwest. we're thinking we're going to have to start looking into the close-in suburbs of MD. any suggestions there?

[Anonymous]

Have you tried Temple Emanuel in Kensington? It's welcoming to interfaith and Reform. It's on CT Ave. near downtown Kensington. Another idea of a place that is very welcoming is Adat Shalom in Bethesda. It's Reconstructionist.

[Anonymous]

OP here -- thanks for the suggestions, PP!

[Anonymous]

I would make a $200 or so donation to the temple (or less if you can't afford that).

[Anonymous]

Beth Chai is awesome! It's a Jewish Humanist org that shares the space with the Unitarian Church off River Rd in Bethesda. Also, Temple Sinai on Military Rd in Chevy Chase, MD is a reform temple.

[Anonymous]

I agree with the previous poster that a contribution of about $200 if affordable for you would be appropriate. And Mazel Tov to you and your family. We did this with our kids and it went very smoothly.

In terms of temples that are welcoming to interfaith families in NW, did you try Temple Micah yet? We are active there and it is a very welcoming community for interfaith families. In fact, many members of the board and very active congregants are interfaith families. It is much smaller than the other reform congregations in town (400 families versus thousands) and many folks haven't heard of it. Friday night services are a particularly good time to give it a try (oneg at 6 and service at 6:30). It is on Wisconsin Ave. just south of Massachusetts.