Meet our Members
At Temple Kehillat Chaim, we value diversity because we believe it makes us a better, stronger congregation. Take a moment to meet some of our members.
Laidhold Family
Members Since 2005
Our family feels right at home at the Kehillah. We first met Rabbi Winokur when he guided me through the conversion process in 1998. After our marriage and the birth of our three kids, Jackson, Sophie, and Kai, the temple has been our home away from home pretty much since then!
All three of the kids attended preschool at TKC, and we truly believe it is because of the foundation they were given during these early years that they have such a strong connection to Judaism. They have continued to thrive under the direction of Rabbi Winokur and the amazing staff and teachers who have helped them through their religious school and youth years. All three are involved in the various youth groups, and Jackson has been on the RAFTY Board for the last two years. Sophie and Kai are HUGE fans of Camp Coleman and the day they come home from camp at the end of one summer they are counting the days to the start of camp for the next summer! We’ve had three b’nai mitzvot and one confirmation at TKC so far. Where has the time gone?
The Kehillah has also been a place where Erik and I have been able to participate through the Board of Trustees, the Education Committee and the Adult Choir. We were also fortunate enough to have taken a trip to Israel with the Rabbi back in 2014. The trip was a truly life changing experience that we were able to have with our oldest son. On this trip we also made many friendships with other Kehillah members who we know are destined to be lifelong friends of ours because of what we experienced together. “Kehillah” means community, and to us the Kehillah is part of our extended family for all of these reasons and more.
Naman Family
Members Since 2011
We are native Texans who moved in 2011 from Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, to the Atlanta area to be near our grandson, Rhys, and his parents, Erin (our younger daughter) and her husband Graham. Our older daughter, Whitney, also now lives in Atlanta. She had twins, Ezra and Zoe in 2015. We adore our grandchildren and all our family and spend many days each week with them.
In selecting a temple we wanted to find and join a warm and welcoming place to grow spiritually and intellectually. After having visited and checking out several congregations and meeting with Rabbi Winokur, who coincidentally presided over the Naming Ceremony for our daughter Whitney in 1977 when we lived in Atlanta previously, we decided to join TKC and have been pleased and gratified by our decision and membership.
We have found TKC to be a congregation that is open to various worship opportunities, active participation and leadership of its members, and with a membership size that allows for close personal relationships. Both of us have gotten involved with the congregation. Steve is on the Finance committee and helps to maintain the building, and Shari hosts the Annual Women's Seder and is the chair of the Racial Justice Task Force. We hope to continue to meet and connect with our Temple family and to help Kehillat Chaim grow in members, financial stability, and meaningful programming. We truly enjoy and are fulfilled as productive members of our Temple family.