Facility Rental: Policies, Terms, and Conditions

Unless otherwise approved in advance, Temple Sinai will have a designated representative present during all events to ensure all policies and procedures are followed and to respond to any emergencies. The representative will open and close the facility and move the partition. The Temple Sinai representative is the only person who is authorized to move the temporary wall dividing the large and small sections of the Social Hall. The representative will not assist the user or any persons hired by the user in any other capacity except informational. User agrees to obey all reasonable requests by Temple Sinai staff or representative. Failure to follow any such requests will result in immediate termination of the event, removal of all guests, and forfeiture of all fees and deposits. Temple Sinai representative will inspect the premises along with User at the end of the event to ensure facilities are clean, tidy, and in the same condition as before the event. **Any exceptions to this rule are by approval of the Rental Use Committee only, and will be indicated in writing in the contract.

User is responsible for the conduct of their guests and for maintaining a responsible noise level so as not to disturb the surrounding residential community. Failure to control conduct or noise level will result in immediate termination of the event, removal of all guests, and forfeiture of all fees and deposits. User is responsible for set-up and cleaning the facility and all Temple Sinai provided items. Time used for set-up and clean-up are considered as part of the total time of use and billed accordingly. The facility will be left clean and in good condition and properly secured. All equipment is to be returned to its proper storage location. Deposits will be returned to the user within one week following completion of the post-event checklist if no deficiencies are found and no deposit-forfeiting events occurred during the event.

User agrees to hold harmless Temple Sinai, its members, Board of Trustees, employees, and all those affiliated with it in the event of any personal injuries, loss of life, theft or damages resulting from the use of Temple Sinai facilities and/or property.

Temple Sinai will not be responsible for any “acts of God” including, but not limited to: extremely high or low temperatures, snowfall*, ice, winds, flooding, earthquakes, tornadoes, hurricanes, lightning, power failures, or fire. Temple Sinai will take every precaution to provide a safe, comfortable and enjoyable environment for the user and their guests. We cannot, however, be responsible for unknown circumstances or acts beyond our control. In the event that such circumstances occur during an event, abbreviating the anticipated rental time, there will be no refund of charges. Should any such “acts of God” prevent, in advance, an event from taking place, we will make a good faith effort to work with the user to reschedule the event and apply payments to that rescheduled event.

*Temple Sinai will make every attempt to service the parking lots and sidewalks to clear them of snow and ice prior to a scheduled event. Should the User choose to hold their event during active snowfall, Temple Sinai will service the parking lots and sidewalks before the event and the User agrees to be responsible for maintaining a safe environment for guests throughout the duration of their event. Shovels and snowmelt are provided at each exterior door throughout the winter for this purpose. Should the User choose instead to reschedule before Temple Sinai clears the lots and sidewalks, all fees will transfer to the newly scheduled date. Should the User cancel the event after snow has been removed, the User is responsible for paying the cost of snow removal.

Temple Sinai allows use of the following spaces:

• Full Social Hall – both the large social hall (including the stage) and the small social hall, with or without the divider, inclusive of the kitchen. Access is granted to the bathrooms in the classroom wing, but not to classrooms, offices, the sanctuary, or the library.
• Small Social Hall – with the divider shut, the part of the social hall adjoining the kitchen, inclusive of the kitchen. Access is granted to the bathrooms in the classroom wing, but not to classrooms, offices, the sanctuary, or the library.
• Classrooms – the rooms in the classroom wing labeled “Peshat,” “Drash,” “Remez,” and “Sod,” as well as the Youth Library. Access is granted to the bathrooms in the classroom wing, but not to any other space in the building.
• Library – the main library in the classroom wing. Access is granted to the bathrooms in the classroom wing, but not to any other space in the building.
• Sanctuary – on a case-by-case basis at the discretion of the Rental Use Committee and/or Rabbi, the sanctuary may be used for meetings befitting its sacred purpose (e.g., meditation space, educational opportunities, musical concerts, or Alcoholics Anonymous meetings). Access is granted to the bathrooms in the classroom wing, but not to any other space in the building.

The facility may be used for the following types of events. Uses not on this list must be approved by the Rental Use Committee.

• All Jewish lifecycle events of members.
• Private parties and events of a secular nature for members.
• Events for non-member individuals, groups, or organizations that promote social action/social justice, and/or provide for the education, betterment, and improvement of the community. Temple Sinai’s Rental Use Committee reserves the right to determine the propriety of any program at its sole discretion.

Events must be booked at least 60 days prior to the event. Deposits are due at the time of booking, with remaining fees due at least 25 days prior to the event. At the time of booking, two things are due: a refundable check for $250 to act as a security deposit, and 50% of the total event contract price. Fees are listed in the Fee Schedule. Events booked less than 60 days before the event must be approved by two members of the Social Hall Use Committee. Users who are not members of Temple Sinai who wish to use the kitchen for cooking must pay the kitchen use fee. Using the oven at over 200 degrees is considered use of the kitchen for cooking. Use of the dishwasher also necessitates paying the kitchen use fee.

Events sponsored and/or conducted by Temple Sinai and its members have priority in scheduling and use of the facility. The facility is not available for use during the two week period that encompasses the Jewish High Holy Days in the fall, and use of the kitchen as well as outside food at events is not available during Passover in the spring.

The facility is normally available for use during the following times. Same-day split events, functions which have more than one distinct session, will be considered as one event. Use of the facility between the hours of sunset Friday evening and sunset Saturday evening must not include any commercial purpose and must not be contrary to traditional Jewish practices.

Saturday – Thursday 9 am – Midnight
Friday 9 am – 5 pm
Friday Evening 5 pm – Midnight – FACILITY UNAVAILABLE

User will complete the Pre-event checklist with a Temple Sinai representative one week prior to the event. The Temple Sinai representative will be the Temple Administrator, a member of the Committee, or its designee.

If an event planner or caterer is to be used and the caterer has not previously filed the following papers with the Rental Use Committee, they must be approved by the Committee. To be approved, event planners and caterers must present copies of the following documents, as applicable. Event planners and caterers from other cities must present similar documents from the applicable jurisdiction.

• City of Reno Business License
• City of Reno Liquor License
• Washoe County Department of Health Food Handlers Permit
• The last two Washoe County Department of Health Inspection reports
• These documents must be on file at least 25 days before the event (when the balance is due).

Users who are not members of Temple Sinai will provide a Certificate of Liability Insurance in the amount of $1,000,000.00 showing Temple Sinai as an additional insured.

Decorations, props, and/or lighting must not mar or affect the appearance of the facility or any other part of Temple Sinai. They may not be affixed to walls, ceiling, light fixtures, or any part of the interior or exterior of the facility or other parts of Temple Sinai and must be removed immediately following the event. Any items left at Sinai will result in the forfeiture of the security deposit and those items will be discarded unless arrangements are agreed to in advance. All decorations must be flameproof and tested and approved by a recognized testing laboratory.

Only very small candles such as birthday candles, Shabbat candles, small tapers, votive candles, or completely glass-enclosed pillar candles no more than 12” in height are permitted. Open flames of any other sort are not permitted (with the exception of sterno cans used only underneath food). Artificial smoke machines are not allowed. Birdseed, rice, and glitter may not be used as decorations or thrown during any event. Large confetti (greater than 1” in diameter) is permitted but must be cleaned up immediately after the event. Smoking is only allowed outside at the east side of the Social Hall, in the marked location and using the provided ashtray.

Failure to abide by any one of these restrictions will result in a complete loss of the security deposit.

Temple Sinai is a Jewish facility, and as such, has a kashrut policy. Pork or shellfish of any kind, or products with derivations thereof, are not be served anywhere on Temple Sinai property. Ingredients should be carefully checked for these items. Please also be careful to remember common foods that would violate this restriction, such as pepperoni pizza or clam chowder. Where possible, meat and dairy should be on separate plates and labeled. If items combine meat and dairy, they must be labeled. Labels for this purpose and for the purpose of labeling common allergens are provided in the kitchen.

Additional restrictions apply to food and beverage during Passover. Outside caterers are not allowed from 9am on the day of Erev Passover until after sundown on the eighth day of Passover, and all food brought into and served on the premises must be kosher for Passover. Please contact the rabbi for details.

Alcohol may only be served to persons over the age of 21 and under terms and conditions consistent with applicable laws of the State of Nevada, Washoe County, and the City of Reno. User is responsible for providing a designated driver(s) or other safe transportation to alcohol-impaired drivers.

Food and beverage other than water is only allowed in the sanctuary for ritual purposes.

Leftover food and beverages must be removed from Temple Sinai property at the end of the event. Members of Temple Sinai may leave leftover food and non-alcoholic beverages for use during Onegs or other Temple Sinai events with permission from the Temple Sinai representative. Any items that are left must be properly covered with plastic wrap, foil, or in plastic bags. Perishable items must be placed in the refrigerator or freezer. If there is no room in the refrigerator or freezer, items must be removed from Temple Sinai property. Failure to adhere to any piece of this policy will result in a loss of security deposit and may prevent User from future use of the facility.

Use of Temple Sinai Items

Users of the kitchen are allowed to use items belonging to Temple Sinai only as listed below.

• Non-disposable kitchen utensils, kitchenware, glassware, and dishes. User is responsible for washing, drying, and putting all items back in their proper place. In the event of breakage, User is responsible for the cost of an identical replacement item.
• Cloth table and kitchen linens. User (if a Temple Sinai Member) is responsible for taking linens home that evening and washing them and returning them to their designated places in the kitchen within one week. If the User is not a Temple Sinai Member, the Temple Sinai Representative will launder the linens.
• Tables and chairs. User is responsible for taking them out, setting them up, wiping them down, and returning them at the end of the event. While the Temple Sinai representative will open doors for you to access these materials, they will not help with setup.

Any and all consumable items in the kitchen, whether food or paper goods, that are the property of Temple Sinai may NOT be used and usage will result in the forfeiture of the deposit.

Temple Sinai Rental Fee Schedule

All events must comply with the Temple Sinai Policies, Terms, and Conditions as outlined above.

Member Events (Full Social Hall)

• Facility use: $50.00 per hour for every hour or fraction thereof (up to $250 a day)
• Kitchen use: Free
• Audio/visual system if required: $20 flat fee
• Refundable security deposit: $250.00

Member Events (Small Social Hall, Classrooms, Sanctuary, or Library)

• Facility use: $25.00 per hour for every hour or fraction thereof
• Kitchen use: Free
• Audio/visual system if required: $20 flat fee
• Refundable security deposit (does not apply to the library): $250.00

Member Bereavement Events

• Member bereavement events immediately after a funeral are hosted free of charge.

Member B’nai Mitzvah Events

• Member b’nei mitzvah events immediately after the b’nei mitzvah service (the Seudah Mitzvah) are included in the fee for the b’nei mitzvah year. Families get free access to the large or small social hall for the luncheon immediately after the service, as well as free access to a TS representative for up to 5 hours, inclusive of setup and tear-down. A refundable $250 security deposit is still required, and the audio/visual fee is $20.

Non-profit Events (Full Social Hall)

• Facility use: $80 per hour or fraction thereof, 2-hour minimum
• Kitchen (prep and warming only): Free
• Kitchen (cooking and catering): $200 per day
• Audio/visual system (if desired): $20 flat fee
• Refundable security deposit: $250.00

Non-Profit Events (Small Social Hall, Classrooms, Sanctuary, or Library)

• Facility use: $50.00 per hour or fraction thereof, 2-hour minimum
• Kitchen use (prep and warming only): Free
• Kitchen (cooking and catering): $200 per day
• Audio/visual system if required: $20 flat fee
• Refundable security deposit (does not apply to library use): $250.00 

Non-Member For-Profit Events (Full Social Hall)

• Facility use: $100.00 per hour or fraction thereof, 2-hour minimum
• Kitchen: $200 per day
• Audio/visual system: $50 flat fee
• Refundable security deposit: $250.00

Non-Member For-Profit Events (Small Social Hall, Classrooms, Sanctuary, or Library)

• Facility use: $75.00 per hour or fraction thereof, 2-hour minimum
• Kitchen use (prep and warming only): Free
• Kitchen (cooking and catering): $200 per day
• Audio/visual system if required: $20 flat fee
• Refundable security deposit (does not apply to library use): $250.00

If an event is canceled, the renter agrees and understands that the facility may have turned down requests from other prospective renters.  For this reason, the cancellation fee schedule below will apply:

• Cancellations made 91 days or more before the reservation date will be charged a $50 cancellation fee and their security deposit will be refunded.
• Cancellations made between 61 and 90 days of the reservation date will be charged a cancellation fee of 50% of the rental fee and their security deposit will be refunded.
• Cancellations made 60 days or less before the reservation date will be charged a cancellation fee of 75% of their rental fee and their security deposit will be refunded.

Requests for recurring use of any part of Temple Sinai’s building will be made using the Temple Sinai Social Hall Recurring Use Request/Agreement Form. All recurring use requests must be approved by the Rental Use Committee.

User will notify Temple Sinai as soon as possible if a scheduled event will not be held. Fees for that event will be refunded or applied to the next scheduled event, as designated by User.

For the purposes of a recurring use agreement, a single $250 security deposit will suffice for the series. Any issues with cleanup will be addressed in writing to the User, and a satisfactory resolution for the remainder of the series will not result in the loss of the security deposit. If there are more than two policy violations, the security deposit will be forfeited and the Rental Use Committee may decide to terminate the recurring use agreement or charge a further $250 deposit. Any recurring use agreement may be terminated by either party with at least thirty (30) days written notice from the final event in the recurring series.

The following policy governs the issue and use of keys and alarm codes to Temple Sinai’s building.

• Keys and alarm codes will only be issued to those people requiring access to Temple Sinai to fulfill employment or event obligations. These people will be designated “authorized persons.”
• Master keys will only be issued to employees of Temple Sinai and members of its Board of Trustees or Temple Sinai’s Auxiliaries (Sisterhood, Men’s Club, SUNNY).
• Issuance of all keys and codes must be approved in writing by a member of the Rental Use Committee. The Key Control and Issue form will be used for this purpose.
• Once issued, keys and codes must remain in the possession of the authorized user. Should circumstances require a transfer of the key and code from the authorized person to another person in their group, the authorized person must inform the Temple Administrator in writing, at least three business days in advance, of the name and contact information of the person holding the key and the duration of time that the key will be in said person’s possession. The authorized person must also inform the Temple Administrator in writing when the key is back in their possession. The authorized person remains solely liable for the key’s use.
• Authorized persons may only use their keys and codes to carry out scheduled and contracted functions. Unauthorized use of a key or code without prior written permission will result in the revocation of authorized status.
• Keys may not be labeled as belonging to Temple Sinai. The authorized user will be issued a copy of this Key and Alarm Code Policy and a demonstration of use when given the key.
• The Temple Administrator will maintain physical control of all unissued keys. Unissued keys will be kept in a locked container in the Temple Sinai office wing.

Unreported transfer to another person, uncontracted or unreported access to the building, or other violations of this policy will result in the revocation of authorized status and forfeiture of key.

Any equipment loan request must meet the following guidelines and be approved in writing on the Equipment Loan Receipt by a member of the Rental Use Committee:

• Equipment is only loaned to current Temple Sinai members in good standing.
• The date, time, and quantity of the loan do not conflict with Temple Sinai needs or the needs of any entities contracted by Temple Sinai.
• The Temple Sinai member will be present for the entire time that Temple Sinai property is used.
• The Temple Sinai member is responsible for pickup, return, and loading on both ends.
• The Temple Sinai member signs a Temple Sinai Equipment Loan Receipt.

The following items may be borrowed:

• Folding chairs
• Folding tables
• Small kitchen appliances or utensils (each piece must be inventoried)
• Table cloths

Equipment must be picked up no earlier than the date and time indicated on the contract and must be returned by the date and time indicated on the contract. Equipment must be put back in its proper place in the building. Equipment is to be returned clean and ready for use. The member is responsible for replacement of any damaged or lost items with an identical item(s). Brand or item substitutions are not permitted without express written permission from the Rental Use Committee.

Any member who either falsely represents the conditions of use of the equipment or fails to adhere to the conditions stated in this policy will be barred from future equipment loans.