February 4 - February 11 • Yitro

Connect this Week

with Temple Sinai

Cohon Lecture Weekend

with Dr. Arnold M. Eisen

We are proud to welcome as our 2026 Cohon Lecturer, Dr. Arnold M. Eisen, one of the world’s foremost authorities on American Judaism, chancellor emeritus of The Jewish Theological Seminary and author of Seeking the Hiding God: A Personal Theological Essay (2025).

Erev Shabbat Services, Friday February 6 at 6:00pm

Please join us this week for our Erev Shabbat services, led by Rabbi Vogel, Rabbi Stein and Micah Sandman, with special guest Dr. Arnold M. Eisen, in the main Sanctuary or on Zoom.

To join Erev Shabbat services by Zoom, click here.

Shabbat Morning Community Minyan, Saturday February 7 at 9:30am

The entire congregation is encouraged to join us for Shabbat Morning Services, followed by a Lunch-and-Learn with Dr. Eisen in the Weintraub Community Room.

To join by Zoom, click here.

Tot Shabbat - Saturday, February 7 at 10:00am

Families with young children ages 0-5 are warmly invited to join Rabbi Talia Stein and rabbinic intern Abi Oshins in celebrating Shabbat together. They will lead families through a tot-friendly Shabbat service followed by a light Kiddush nosh. Together we’ll sing Shabbat songs and learn prayers, read stories and play!

Cohon Lecture Weekend Continues on Sunday, February 8 at 9:45am:

Theology dialogue between Dr. Eisen & Rabbi Andy Vogel

Mussar Study Group: Ancient Wisdom meets Modern Challenges

Wednesday, February 4 (and every other Wednesday), 12:00–1:30pm

Mussar is a Jewish tradition that helps each of us cultivate and practice our ethical understanding. Come and explore Jewish teachings, through study, practice and conversation, traits such as gratitude, patience and compassion. Contact merry@merryarnold.com if you are interested in joining us.

Thursday Study Group

with Rabbi Andy Vogel

Thursday, February 5, 10:15am

New Topic: Selected writings of

Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel

Join us each Thursday for a lively and friendly class with Rabbi Vogel. We study a wide variety of topics, rotating to a new field of study about every six weeks or so. Thursday Study includes discussions, films, text study, and an occasional guest speaker. Join us each week or feel free to drop in just once! Contact the Temple office to be added to the email list for information about each week’s session and link. In person, or by Zoom. All are welcome! 

Jewish Ways in the End-of-Life & Mourning: A 3-Session Series in 2026

Session 2: “Hospice Care Through a Jewish Lens”

Sunday, February 8, 1:00pm-2:30pm

With guest speaker Dr. Talie Lewis from Care Dimensions Hospice, this session will clarify what hospice is, what it provides, and how it supports individuals and families at the end of life. We will explore when hospice is appropriate and consider Jewish perspectives on dignity, compassion, and care in life’s final chapter.

Call for Nominations

Each year, the Sinai Nominating Committee looks for members of the congregation who are willing and able to serve the Temple as officers and members of the Board of Trustees. We're reaching out to get your interests and anyone else we should approach about leadership positions. In that spirit, we would be most grateful if you would complete this survey by March 1 or you can directly contact Michele Klau at mrklau@aol.com, the Nominating Committee Chair, with your interests, suggestions, and any questions.

SAVE THE DATE!

Purim Is Coming! Celebrate with us on Monday evening, March 2

6:00pm: Pizza Dinner (please rsvp here)

6:45pm: Purim Service

8:00pm: Whiskey Tasting

And click here to order hamantaschen to pick up on Sunday, March 1 during Religious School at the Java Nagila Cafe!

Temple Sinai/Ohabei Shalom Softball Registration

Registration for the 2026 Softball season has begun! The Temple Sinai/Ohabei Shalom team plays 8 games from April-June, Sunday mornings at 10am. Games are played primarily in Brookline and Newton, with a couple of other towns further away. ALL who are 25 years old and up are eligible to play, no gender restrictions. If you are interested please contact Jon Katz (jonckatz@gmail.com).

Sinai Singers Invite You!

Beckoning singers of all abilities to join the Sinai Singers as we prepare to sing at the Musician in Residence Weekend upcoming in March. Friendly, welcoming and joyful, we'd love to sing with you. Rehearsals on 1st and 3rd Tuesdays of each month. Contact Laurie Lasky for more info.

Weekly Sunday Afternoon Mahjong

Weekly on Sundays, 3:00-5:00pm in the Weintraub Community Room

Join us to play at our weekly Sunday Sinai Mah Jong games! All who play are welcome to this friendly game. Come enjoy an afternoon of strategy, community and enjoyment. Whether you are a seasoned expert or still learning the game, you are welcome to join! If you are a complete novice, please contact Robin Orwant ahead of time. Mah Jong sets will be provided, but feel free to bring your own set, and please bring your own card, if you have one. Please note: this is not a class for learning how to play the game.

In Our Lives

We offer joyful congratulations to Bob Miller & Jill Winitzer on the birth of another grandchild, Callum Albert Dwyer Etka, who was born on Wednesday, January 28, to their daughter Aliza and her husband Patrick Etka. Mazel tov to them all, and to big sister Ella!

In the Community

Rashi School Admissions Open House

Wednesday, February 4 at 5:30pm

The Rashi School, the Reform movement’s Boston-area Jewish day school, invites parents to learn more about the gift of giving your child a Jewish day school education with Reform values. On Weds., February 4 at 5:30 pm the Rashi School Admissions office hosts and Open House for pre school and primary grades admission. This is for adults only. Join us at the Rashi School Campus, building 8000, Great Meadow Rd., in Dedham, MA (which shares the same campus as Newbridge Senior Housing.) To register or learn more, call Danielle Rettinger, Director of Enrollment Management at 781-255-7318 or email drettinger@rashi.org.

Art For All Returns: Do Good! Buy Art and Support Immigration Justice

Saturday, Feb 7, 2:00-4:00pm

Brookline Teen Center, 40 Aspinwall Ave. Brookline, MA

Art for All is a ‘pick your price’ art sale where you shop for unique and original pieces donated by local artists. Find what you like and pay what you can. 100% of what you donate helps The Brazilian Women’s Group support families affected by deportations and ICE raids in our community. Learn more here.

OPUS 5 Wind Quintet of the Israel Symphony Orchestra

Thursday, March 5 at 7:00pm

Beth El Temple Center

2 Concord Ave, Belmont

The Israel Program Committee of BETC presents OPUS 5 Wind Quintet of the Israel Symphony Orchestra with music by Briccialdi, Mozart, Verdi, Bizet, and Israeli & Jewish songs.

Registration required.

New England Jewish Labor Committee 26th Annual Labor Seder

Sunday, March 22, 4:30pm

IBEW Local 103 Function Hall, 256 Freeport St. #1, Dorchester

The Labor Seder is a unique interfaith and inter-community awards dinner that ties the rituals and stories of Passover to contemporary labor struggles. This year, we are proud to honor our labor awardee Jessica Tang, president of the American Federation of Teachers Massachusetts, and our Jewish community awardees Rabbi Barry Dollinger and R' Emily Goldberg Winer of Congregation Beth Sholom, Providence.

RSVP here!

Joining Temple Sinai as a New Member

Click here to fill out a new member application.

Rather than charging fixed amounts for member "dues," the SinaiPromise membership model provides information about the amount needed to sustain Temple Sinai each year and enables every household to voluntarily pledge and contribute an amount of their choice to financially support our synagogue. Your membership contributions are vital in helping us continue to offer enriching programs, maintain our facilities, and foster our vibrant community!

Want to learn more about Sinai Promise? Click here.