This past weekend at Temple Sinai was nothing short of extraordinary. Friday night’s Tot Shabbat brought the most families we’ve seen since the start of the pandemic. That energy carried into a vibrant community potluck and Shabbat Across America and Canada service. On Sunday, we joined forces with Temple Emanu-El for a lively Purim carnival, followed by a full-house turnout for our Purim spiel, Oh Hadassah. Any one of these events on its own would’ve been a triumph — but three back-to-back, all so well-attended and filled with joy, was a true testament to the strength and spirit of our community.

This kind of communal momentum is exactly what we need as we head into an important milestone: our Rabbis Zober’s upcoming summer sabbatical.

As many of you know, our rabbis are now in their seventh year at Temple Sinai — an incredible achievement both for them and for our congregation. In Jewish tradition, the number seven carries deep significance. Following the agricultural law of Shmita, God instructs that every seventh year, the land shall lie fallow and replenish. In the same spirit, our rabbis’ initial contract wisely included a sabbatical in their seventh year — a time for renewal, restoration, and reconnection to the spiritual journey that brought them to us in the first place.

A sabbatical isn’t just about the well-being of our rabbis; it’s about the health of our entire community. As they take time to rest and recharge, we as a congregation will have the opportunity to step up — to grow, stretch, and deepen our own involvement. Leadership will expand, with Temple board members and committee chairs taking on additional roles to help meet the needs of our community. Our dedicated service leaders will guide us in joyous and meaningful Shabbat celebrations, and we’ll actively encourage anyone who feels called to take on an element of service leading.

This period of shared responsibility will remind us of a profound truth: a synagogue is not just a building, and it’s not defined solely by its rabbi. As Temple Sinai secretary Michael Cohen often says, “Every Jew is a load-bearing Jew.” Our rituals, culture, and spiritual life exist because we work together to sustain them. Without our collective effort, there is no scaffolding in modern American society to hold up Judaism — except the one we build ourselves, week after week, month after month.

Of course, there may be some moments when we feel the absence of our rabbis, and certain life-cycle events may need to wait until their return. But if this time of rest leaves us eager for their leadership and grateful for their service, that too is a successful byproduct of their sabbatical.

As we prepare for this season of growth and transition, let’s embrace the opportunity it brings. Let’s show up for each other, strengthen our bonds, and remember that the heart of our synagogue lies not in any single individual, but in the collective persistence, dedication, and love of its people.

L’Shalom,
Tova McGilvray