Happy Secular New Year and Merry Christmas to all our families that celebrate. I am just mesmerized by our community support not only for our Temple Sinai families but also to our greater Jewish Community in Northern Nevada as I saw so many of you at all the Hanukkah events this past week. Not only […]
Stones and Pillows
Dear friends, As you may have heard, I was in a bike accident on Thursday (11/04/21). I am not entirely sure what happened, but I crashed and ended up at Renown Hospital. I was wearing a helmet, which saved my life and lessened my injuries. After one night under observation, I was given the OK […]
Temple Sinai Will Always Shine Bright!
One of the things you quickly learn when you become president of a synagogue is just how much the majority of the congregation doesn’t see. You see finances and investments, you see the long-neglected back lot full of weeds, you see how much a congregation does for people and how much can be done for […]
To Be Oysgezoomt or To Be Otherwise, That is the Question
Dear Friends, One of our congregants, Judy Schumer, introduced me to a new Yiddish word last summer: oysgezoomt. For a fascinating article on the word’s etymology, check out the article “The Yiddish Word of 2020.” Simply put, it is the feeling of being utterly fatigued by online offerings. Friends, looking into a second virtual High […]
Shehecheyanu Moments
Dear Friends, There is a joke in the Reform community, that we overuse the Shehecheyanu. Whenever we do something for the first time, or have a big moment, we say the prayer. And while every occasion may not merit a blessing like that, there are truly times when thanking God is appropriate. Personally, I said […]
Beating the Daily Challenges
Is it really safe to do what we want – when we want, with or without masks? I really want to say to you, “Yes, be free,” and for us to do that as a Jewish Community here at Temple Sinai. But as you know the reality of the pandemic slowing its course is just […]
Endings and Beginnings
Dear Friends, As you know, our son Toby had his bar mitzvah earlier this month. While events with family are always a blessing, I can honestly be relieved at this moment that people have gotten safely home and Toby himself can relax because all that hard work is behind him. This feeling of relief got […]
Springtime is in the Air
Can you believe it is May already? Time is flying by! A year ago, I felt like time was standing still and there was nothing we could do about it. So I am happy that we are moving forward and cannot wait to see all your faces soon. The COVID risk meter is inching down […]
Shavuot Pajama Jammy Jam
Dear Friends, Chanukah has latkes and dreidels, Pesach has charoset and raucous seders, Shavuot has cheesecake and… all night study sessions? Maybe not everyone’s idea of a good time, but for many communities, coming together and studying until daybreak is a much-anticipated event. Last year, we could not gather as a congregation, and certainly not […]