During our Zoom Caring Committee meeting in July, we decided to do a small gift of an apple and honey stick for each of our member/family units as a sweet outreach to our beloved congregation. Judy and Gary Schumer researched and purchased gift bags, “Shanah Tovah from Temple Sinai” stickers, and honey sticks. We then […]
Adding Thanks
Dear Friends: On certain holidays, we add special prayers of thanks into our liturgy. These “hoda’ah inserts” are part of Sukkot and Simchat Torah, Purim, and Chanukah, among other times. Somehow, considering how many thanks we have, perhaps we need a post-virtual-HHD hoda’ah insert. Maybe: “Thank you, everyone, who participated, contributed, logged in, offered words […]
Jacks of All Trades
Dear Friends, I have a fondness for what most people call useless knowledge. Random facts, esoterica, trivia, I love it all. But I often quip that it is only useless, until you find a way to use it. Part of what attracted me to the rabbinate was that I might be able to employ some […]
Soul Searching
At the start of the pandemic, I was optimistic that this would be here and gone in just a few weeks. It was exciting to be at home more with the family at first and was nice to get a lot done around the house. As some of you know, besides my position here at […]
Decisions…
There are definitely many overwhelming thoughts and ideas — covering a broad perspective, and from all our members — on whether to open Temple Sinai for regular services and events, continue to stay closed, or ease into a phased approach toward opening as our great State of Nevada is doing. Even if we were to […]
When I Turn
I don’t turn my back on the congregation very often, but when I do, it is in prayers like the Barechu or the Amidah. And when I am not facing you, I see the ark, crafted by a congregant, now of blessed memory. I see the woodwork, refinished and polished by volunteers last fall. And […]
We are the Board
Last month, at our Annual Meeting we voted on a slate of nominations for Temple Board Members at Large. I am happy to share the results with you. For this next fiscal year, I want to welcome back: Tova McGilvray, Sarah Friedman, Jeremy Gelman, Evangelyna Thurman-Silva, and I would like to welcome the newest elected […]
Summertime and the Livin’s – Still Confined to Our Homes
Dear Friends, As our fiscal year draws to a close, we wanted to highlight all of the incredible things that we did this year – in person and across the digital divide. Our members were incredibly busy with events in the congregation and out in the community. Our Sisterhood came together on several occasions to […]
Tough Decisions
First, I wanted to thank everyone who was able to participate this past Sunday in the Temple Sinai Annual Meeting, via Zoom. Although I was not able to see your smiling faces, I saw your names and was able to see you in spirit. Again – a big thank you to Rabbi Sara for hosting […]
There is No “I” in Synagogue
Dear Friends, Rabbi Sara and I miss you all terribly. We are continuing to find a way to bring Shabbat and other Jewish events into your homes in the best way possible. Many of you have become regular visitors to the virtual shul streaming from our living room. Others join our Zoom Torah Study on […]