About Our Libraries
The mission of the Temple Sinai Library Committee is to provide meaningful programming, relevant collections, and a comfortable, accessible space where members of all ages can engage in Jewish learning and appreciation.
Our committee oversees the operations of the synagogue’s Main and Youth Libraries. To achieve the committee’s mission, we practice Tikkun Olam, develop and maintain the collections and facilities, and implement activities and events to engage the membership. Our committee is serious about the work it does, and is just as serious about having fun and building friendships while doing it.
Both libraries are open during normal synagogue hours with comfortable seating and free wifi. Temple Sinai members can search the collection and check out items with a simple self-service system.
The Main Library
Temple Sinai Youth Library, July 2016
Temple Sinai Library officially has Libby!
Libby is an online platform in which users can check out virtual e-books and audiobooks from Temple Sinai’s Library.
The steps to log in are:
- Download the Libby app from any device applications store.
- When asked if you have a library card, select Yes.
- Find and select your library:
- To have Libby find your library using your location, tap Yes, Guess My Library.
- To search for your library by name, city, or zip code, tap Iʼll Search For A Library.
4. Follow the prompts to enter your username:
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- lastnamefirstname (all lowercase)
- For example, patron John Schuster’s username is schusterjohn
- Password:
- If you have not logged in before or previously changed your password: Your password is the Last 4 digits of your phone number.
If there are any log in issues, please email library@sinaireno.org for help!
Novel Noshers – a Temple Sinai Book Club
Novel Noshers is a Temple Sinai book club that meets montly to discuss all kinds of books. We have read fiction, non-fiction, and even a graphic novel!
Have a book you want to read & discuss? Contact
library@sinaireno.org
Next meeting:
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March 30th, 2025 @ 1pm -Thistlefoot by GennaRose Nethercott, discussion led by Vita Dworkin
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April 20th, 2025 @ 1pm – Surprised by God by Danya Ruttenberg, discussion led by Rabbi Sara
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May 17th at 1pm – Dr. Jeff Gingold will be leading the discussion on the book All the Rivers by Dorit Rabinyan.
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June 22nd at 1pm – Katherine Swezey will lead the discussion on the book kaddish.com by Nathan Englander.
Movie Night and Game Night in the Library!
Temple Sinai Library hosts a cozy movie night with concessions for sale!
- April 8th, 2025 6-8pm in the Main Library! We will be showing the Prince of Egypt.
- May 6th, 2025 6-8pm in the Main Library!
- December 20th, 2025 6-8pm in the Main Library!
- March 4th, 2025 6-8pm in the Main Library!
- September 9th, 2025 6-8pm in the Main Library!
Library Programming & Outreach
Enjoy Our On-Line Public Access Catalog
Click the button here or visit SinaiReno.org/Catalog to search our collection from anywhere. Members can log in, save books to their list, view their accounts and then visit the library to check-out and return books.
The Guest Check-out form is for people who are not Temple members, but still want to check out materials.
The Book Nosh – Monthly publication
Restories: “Because books make you better.”
Through “Restories”, the Library Committee continues to engage synagogue members by reaching out to home-bound members by loaning and delivering books in our collection. The goal is to bring friendship, relaxation, adventure, enjoyment, and knowledge because books make you better. If you know of any members that would benefit from this program please email us at library@sinaireno.org.
Supporting Our Libraries
Ways to Volunteer and Contribute
Volunteering for the Library Committee requires a few hours each month and yields immeasurable results for Temple Sinai and the greater Reno community. The committee convenes regularly and makes every effort for its’ meetings to be accessible, whether in person or virtually. CLICK HERE to message us and become a volunteer.
Support reading, literacy, and education by giving an in-kind or monetary donation to the designated Temple Sinai Library Fund. To make a financial donation to the Temple Sinai Library Fund, CLICK HERE. Be sure to choose “Library Fund” in the donation options. Or, you can email the synagogue office for more information.
To donate an in-kind gift, CLICK HERE and message us to find out if your book or DVD donations meet the library criteria.
Past Events and Projects
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Faces of Sinai
The evening of February 28, 2020, was WOW Shabbat. Hosted by the Library Committee to celebrate the opening of the Women of The Wall Photo Exhibit in the small social hall, participants joined together to recognize the 10th anniversary of a photo session in which congregant Steve Davis photographed women of Temple Sinai wearing Tallit and holding a Torah. They did so to demonstrate their solidarity with the Women of the Wall (WOW) in Israel. Founded in 1988, WOW is a multi-denominational feminist organization whose goal is to secure the rights of women to pray at the Western Wall (Kotel) in a fashion that includes wearing religious garments (tallit, kippah, and tefillin), reading aloud from the Torah, and singing.
On March 5, 2020, the exhibit was viewed by over 200 community-wide attendees in conjunction with the interfaith forum entitled “Breaking the Stained-Glass Ceiling”.
Faces of Sinai – Women of the Wall Display
Event promo for Breaking the Stained Glass Ceiling
Honorable Mentions:
The Com.unity Project
The Museum of the Jewish People