From Shabbat to Shabbat 
Congregational e-D'var
Dear ,

 

This week was my first back in the office upon returning from this summer's sabbatical.  The time away was replete with opportunities for rest and rejuvenation, time for focus on family as well as on personal, spiritual growth.  Yet, though I may have been disconnected from the daily life of the congregation this summer, rest assured I have surely not been immune or inattentive to the news impacting our world, especially the crisis that continues to unfold in Israel.  Quite the contrary!  Indeed, who among us has not experienced genuine heartache and profound concern for Israel and her citizens during the past month of conflict and warfare?  Not only have we worried over the safety, security and physical wellbeing of all in harm's way, we have also seen Israel, once again, vilified and condemned throughout the world for insisting and acting upon the right to defend her citizens against terrorist activity and months (even years!) of a continuous barrage of rockets - a right that EVERY other sovereign nation would surely claim and pursue itself!

 

Like most, I suspect, I have found the vast percentage of the print and television news coverage of Israel's ongoing battle with Hamas to be highly troubling and disconcerting.  Even as a fairly 'dove-ish' person where Israel is concerned, I believe most of the reporting about this conflict has been what one pro-Israel interviewee described as an act of media malfeasance!   Every time that news anchors and/or networks...

  • equate the Middle East's only democracy with an explicit and undeniable terrorist organization that, in its very charter, states its intention to destroy the Jewish state;
  • highlight the significant - and undeniably tragic - number of Palestinians who have lost their lives without also reminding readers and listeners that Israel issues warnings and urges residents to evacuate the premises before an attack;
  • show pictures of buildings and homes in Gaza destroyed by artillery strikes without reminding and even pointing out to viewers the places where Hamas has stored their missiles and rockets;
  • fail to report the amount of violence and killing that Hamas wages on fellow Palestinians in Gaza whom they perceive to be either advocates for peace or suspected of collaboration with Israel;
  • overlook the lengthy history of terrorist activity and continuous rocket attacks by Hamas into southern Israel that preceded this conflict and finally necessitated Israel's response,
they do an injustice to unbiased reporting. Sadly, there is no shortage of additional examples of inept, disheartening media coverage of this tragic conflict which is why, for one thing, we should be as vigilant and vocal as ever in our staunch support of Israel and her right to defend herself and her citizens.  As Dov Wilker, our guest speaker at this week's Shabbat evening services will share, our brothers and sisters in Israel need to hear our voices and feel our support now more than ever.

Finally, in light of the fact that so much of the reporting on Israel is troubling, I want to leave you with a link to an incredibly positive news report out of Canada that was forwarded to me this week.  It's educational, factual, worth watching and definitely worth sharing! Click here to watch it (if short on time, watch at least the first 2:10).  
 

Pray for the peace of Jerusalem; may those who love you prosper! Let there be peace in your homes, safety within your borders. For the sake of my people, my friends, I pray you find peace. For the sake of the house of the Eternal our God, I will seek your good.  (from Psalm 122:6-9) 

 
Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Ron Segal
Worship Schedule
Ekev

Parashah: Deuteronomy 7:12-11:25

Haftarah: Isaiah 49:14-51:3

  

Join us from anywhere!

If you are not able to attend a Shabbat Service or B'nei Mitzvah service, please join us via your computer or mobile device on Temple Sinai Live

 

Unable to watch it live? Catch up on Shabbat Services, B'nei Mitzvah ceremonies, adult education programs, and more on our Vimeo page.


This Week

 

Friday, August 15
 

Shabbat Service,   

6:30 pm

With Guest Speaker, 

Dov Wilker. See below for 

more information.

 

Saturday, August 16

 

Torah Study, 9:00 am

 

Shabbat Service, 10:00 am

 

Shabbat Service, 10:30 am

B'nei Mitzvah ceremony of Sy Alifeld, son of Sari and Randy Alifeld; and Samuel Sikora, son of Laura and Adam Sikora.

 

 


Looking Ahead

Friday, August 22

Shabbat Service,   

6:30 pm

 

Tot Shabbat Service,

6:30 pm

 

Saturday, August 23

 

Torah Study, 9:00 am

 

Shabbat Service, 10:00 am

 

Shabbat Service, 10:30 am

Bat Mitzvah ceremony of Samantha Siegle, daughter of Lara and Andrew Siegle.

 

Havdalah Service, 5:30 pm

B'nei Mitzvah ceremony of Melinda and Ethan Hartz, daughter and son of Jennifer and Eric Hartz.

 

Join Temple Sinai for a Shabbat Guest Speaker: Dov Wilker
 Friday, August 15
6:30 pm
"Operation Protective Edge and the International Response"

Dov Wilker, Regional Director of the American Jewish Committee, Atlanta chapter, recently returned from a Project Interchange seminar in Israel. Join us this Friday evening as he speaks about the current crisis with Hamas and Gaza, including its profound impact on Israeli citizens and our need for continued support. We are delighted to welcome Dov to Temple Sinai and encourage you to attend Shabbat services to learn from Dov's first hand experiences in Israel.

Click here to see the event flier and to learn more about Dov.
 
Coming Up

 

Daddy & Me  

Saturday, August 16
11:30 am - 1:00 pm 
  
Enjoy the sunny weather with friends on Temple Sinai's own playground.

Please RSVP here.


 

Tot Shabbat  

Friday, August 22
6:30 pm
"Back to School" 
  
Tot Play Date
Saturday, September 6
4:00 - 6:00 pm
Temple Sinai Playground


  

Sundays, 8:00 am - 4:00 pm
August 17 & 24
September 21 & 28
October 5 

 

Join us on select Sundays for an enriching mitzvah experience with the Atlanta Interfaith Build. 

 

Participants must be at least 16 years old. It is $50 to participate, though there is a subsidized cost for Sisterhood and Brotherhood members. Registration for the build is now available online
For more information, 
email Phil Karlick.


  

Tuesday, August 19
11:30 am - 4:00 pm
 
This is your chance to experience this incredible exhibit at the High! We'll leave Temple Sinai at 11:30 am and stop for lunch at Table 1280 (Woodruff Arts Center, 1280 Peachtree Street NE, Atlanta) before heading to the High Museum at 1:15 pm. We'll return to Temple Sinai
 at 4:00 pm.

 

$5 for transportation and museum admission if you are not a member of the High Museum. Lunch is dutch! Please RSVP to Judy Thomas.
 

Thursday, August 21

5:30 - 7:30 pm: Pre-game "Tailgating" & Networking

7:00 - 9:00 pm: Dinner & Speaker

 

Want to finally put together a winning Fantasy Football team or learn how to turn your passion into a business venture? Now's your chance. Get the inside scoop on who to pick for your team with tips from the leading expert in the field, Nathan Zegura, host of SiriusXM's The Fantasy Consultant Live.

 

$18 in advance, $25 at the door. RSVP here.



Rosh Chodesh: Creating Sacred Space

  

Thursday, August 21
6:30 pm
Now at Temple Sinai!

 

What makes a space sacred? It can be a place of sublime natural beauty, a place of great historical significance, or a place of momentous personal experiences. 

Join us for food, discussion and fun at this opening program. The the use of both text and art, we will endeavor to create our own sacred space together.



   Prospective Members Brunch

  

Sunday, August 24
10:00 am - 12:00 pm

If you are considering joining Temple Sinai, this family-friendly brunch is perfect for you! Our rabbis, lay leaders and staff will answer any questions you might have about life at Sinai, give tours of the building and provide membership information.

Please RSVP to Simone Kallett, Member Services Coordinator, by Monday, August 11. If you know anyone else who might be interested in attending, please call the Temple Sinai office at 404.252.3073.

Sunday, August 24

12:30 pm

 

Next summer, Temple Sinai is making history as we travel to Israel from June 7-17, 2015. For the first time ever, we will take three separate trips, all in Israel, all at the same time. There will be an adults-only trip, a teens-only trip, and a trip for families.

 

Come learn about the itinerary, costs, and all of the fun we'll have traveling together. Please RSVP to Rabbi Levenberg.



Recent Retirees: Center for Civil & Human Rights Museum Tour

  

Thursday, August 28
11:00 am - 4:00 pm

Lean how the Civil Rights Movement is growing and expanding today. We'll leave Sinai at 11:00 am, go to Ted's Montana Grill (133 Luckie St. NW, Atlanta) for lunch and then go to the museum for a tour at 1:00 pm. We will return to Sinai at 3:00 pm. 

The cost is $15 per person and includes museum admission and transportation. Lunch is dutch. Please RSVP to 
 

USO Volunteers Needed

 

Sunday, August 31

 

Join other Temple Sinai members and serve as a hospitality greeter for the USO at the Atlanta Airport. What a wonderful way to show your appreciation for our soldiers.

 

For more information and to sign up, please email 

Jay Weinstein.

   
Artist in Residence Shabbat with Saul Kaye
 Friday, August 29
6:30 pm

You don't want to miss this Erev Shabbat service! Saul Kaye, an internationally touring artist and the first of our four Artists in Residence, will co-lead the service in the Temple Sinai Sanctuary. The great-grandson of a Russian trailblazer who traded cattle between warring tribes in Africa, Saul has brought together the sounds of the struggle of the African Slaves in this country with the history of the Jewish slavery experience. On his latest CD, Kabbalat Shabbat, Kaye has written new melodies and grooves for the t'filah from the Friday night service. We hope you'll join us to experience this unique and inspiring evening.

Click here to hear Saul Kaye's rendition of "Tzaddik Katamar" off his new album.
 
In Our Synagogue Community

Mazel Tov to...

 

Paula and Marvin Rachelefsky on the birth of their grandson, Jaxton Henry Casper.


Youth & Teen

  

SCRUFY Kickoff Event
Saturday, August 16
12:30 - 3:00 pm
Chastain Park



High Holy Days 
at Temple Sinai

  

Preparations for the High Holy Days are in full swing at Temple Sinai! 

Click here to request 
Deadline: Monday, August 18

Click here to submit names for the Yizkor Memorial Book.
Deadline: Friday, 
September 5

Click here to register for the Youth Programs or Babysitting.
Deadline: Monday, 
September 15

Deadline: Friday, 
September 5

View the entire High Holy Day Brochure here.


PNK Learning Center

  

New DVD in the 
PNK Learning Center

The Jewish Cardinal

The amazing true story of Jean-Marie Lustiger, the son of Polish-Jewish immigrants, who maintained his Jewish identity even after converting to Catholicism and joining the priesthood.



News & Information

Israel Bonds

 
As the situation in Israel continues to escalate, Israel is in need of spiritual, physical, and financial support more than ever. One way you can personally help is by purchasing Israel Bonds. Click here to learn more about Israel Bonds.

Keep Up to Date!

 

D'var Sinai

Click below to view the

  August D'var.

  

Sinai Calendar

Click below to view the 

Temple Sinai Calendar 

 

Contributions/
Donations

Click below to 

honor or commemorate someone  

 

Reaching Our Leadership 

 

If you would like to schedule an appointment or send  

President Scott Zucker  

a message, please email him at 

president@templesinaiatlanta.org.

If you'd like to reach Stephen Berman, our Immediate Past President,
please email him at 
 
 
Summer Collection:
School Supplies

  

In August, Temple Sinai will be collecting school supplies for the Children's Restoration Network.  Please drop all collections in 
the front lobby bin.   
 5645 Dupree Drive, N.W., Sandy Springs, GA 30327
Ph: 404-252-3073  Fax: 404-252-8570

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