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.
With more than 4,000 books, comfortable seating, and free Wi-Fi, Temple Sinai’s libraries offer synagogue members a place to gather and learn. Thanks to the ongoing commitment of the Library Committee and the generosity of supporters, both the Main and Youth libraries feature dynamic collections relevant to Jewish life, culture, and history.
In the Main Library, visitors can find over 3,000 books, including fiction, non-fiction, pictorial, and reference volumes. The library also features a collection of digital media including DVDs and Blu-Rays.
Younger members and young adults can gather in the Youth Library, which houses more than 1,000 fiction, non-fiction, pictorial, and reference books. There is also a multi-media learning station, comfortable seating, and educational toys.
Both libraries are open during normal synagogue hours. 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
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.
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 sinairenolibrary@gmail.com.
Jewish Book Month Event
Bookmarks
a program from the Temple Sinai Reno Library Committee
Sponsored by Jewish Nevada and the Jewish Book Council
A Reading & Q&A with
Japanese-Jewish Author Claire Stanford
Sunday, November 16, 2023
Temple Sinai (3405 Gulling Road, Reno)
Being Jewish in the Time of COVID: Reflections from Congregants
- Life as we knew it was normal.
- Then life as we knew it changed.
- What did change look like?
In 2020, the Temple Sinai Library Committee asked Temple Sinai members to submit their personal stories, memoirs, and poetry about Jewish life experiences while living through the COVID-19 pandemic. “Being Jewish in the Time of COVID” is a collection of these.
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”.
“Com.unity” in the Museum of the Jewish People
Temple Sinai Reno is part of The Museum of the Jewish People at Beit Hatfutsot which celebrates and shares the vibrancy and diversity of contemporary Jewish life around the world. The ongoing and multi-faceted story of the Jewish people includes impressive, interactive exhibits. Com.unity is a most impressive, interactive exhibit. This project offers Jewish communities from all around the world visibility and an opportunity to share their inspiring story about the global Jewish experience.
Visit com-unity.bh.org.il and enter “Temple Sinai Reno” in the search bar to see many familiar faces from our Sinai community.
Our Libraries and Tikkun Olam
Northern Nevada Literacy Council
Help to repair our corner of the world by donating books and magazines to the Northern Nevada Literacy Council. All topics, ages, and genres are welcome, as are hardcover and paperback books.
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.