January 28 - February 4 • Beshalach

Connect this Week

with Temple Sinai

Erev Shabbat Services - Friday, January 30, 6:00pm

Please join us this week for our Erev Shabbat services, led by Rabbi Talia Stein and Micah Sandman, in the main Sanctuary or on Zoom. To join Erev Shabbat services by Zoom, click here.

Join us for an oneg following this week’s Shabbat@Six service!

Enjoy light food offerings, desserts, and beverages as we schmooze together. We will come together in the Weintraub Community Room, directly following services.

Shabbat Morning Services featuring the Bar Mitzvah of Lee Fischer - Saturday, January 31, 10:30am

The entire congregation is encouraged to join us for Shabbat Morning Services, including the Bar Mitzvah of Lee Fischer, son of Danielle Rabina and Jeremy Fischer. We offer mazel tov to Lee and his entire family! To join by Zoom, click here.

Thursday Study Group

with Rabbi Andy Vogel

Thursday, January 29, 10:15am

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! 

“A Journey in Grief, Loss and Hope” with Jaser Abu-Mousa

Thursday, January 29 at 7:00pm 

In person only at Temple Sinai

Jaser Abu-Mousa is a native of Gaza, and is a 2025 Yale Peace Fellow. Previously, he was living in Gaza, working as a program officer for the Swiss Agency for Development & Cooperation (SDC), until the breakout of the war in October 2023. During the war, Jaser lost his wife, Heba, and two children, Hmaid (age 18) and Abdulrahman (age 8), and he left Gaza with his remaining two children, Abdallah and Sham, to receive medical treatment in the United Arab Emirates, before coming to the US and the Greater Boston area. Upon his arrival in the US, amidst tremendous grief, loss and disconnection, he has been working to find resilience and hope for his surviving family, and for the future for Israel and Palestine. His professional focus is on how Gaza's postwar reconstruction can reflect Palestinians' priorities while repairing the social fabric of society. 

Sponsored by Temple Sinai’s Israel-Palestine Affinity Group & Temple Sinai’s Israel Committee, Co-Sponsored by J Street New England

Rainbow Committee Movie Night Series

For the next 6 months the Rainbow Committee of Temple Sinai will be screening movies that explore the intersection of Jewish and LGBTQ+ identities.

Yentl: Saturday, January 31 at 5:00pm in the Weintraub Community Room

On every list of the 10 to 15 must-watch movies that explore this theme is “Yentl” (the Streisand version). “Yentl” follows a bookish Jewish woman in an early 20th century shtetl in Poland who dreams of studying Torah. Women are banned from yeshiva study, so she does what any determined diva would: She chops off her hair, dons a suit, and reinvents herself as a yeshiva boy named Anshel.

“Building Bridges” with Rabbi Golan Ben-Chorin

Sunday, February 1 at 9:30am EST on Zoom only

Temple Sinai’s Israel Committee is pleased to hold another session of “Building Bridges” with Rabbi Golan Ben-Chorin of Haifa, who is a third generation Reform rabbi in Israel, and who led this program for us in previous years starting in 2020. Join us for discussion with Rabbi Golan, who will once again help us explore current issues in Israeli society, including social justice and democracy, prayer and ritual in Israeli Reform Judaism, societal issues related to the war, LGBTQ and inclusion issues, and more. Click here to join on Zoom.

Journeys Parent Program Beginning with B'yachad Havdalah 

Sunday, February 1 at 9:30am

Religious School parents are encouraged to join Rabbi Stein for this months learning. We'll be continuing with our theme this year, Machloket l'Shem Shamayim - Arguments for the Sake of Heaven. 

K'tonton

Sunday, February 1 at 10:00am

This fun, interactive Jewish drop-off program for 3 & 4 year olds introduces young children to Jewish holidays and practices through arts & crafts, songs, stories and games. It’s a great way to introduce your child to the joy of Jewish learning!

Tzedek Sunday: Protecting our Democracy

Sunday Feb 1, at 1:00pm

Weintraub Community Room and on Zoom

Join Tzedek@Sinai for our next Tzedek Sunday focusing on Protecting our Democracy. We have the honor of hearing from Rachel Homer, Director of Democracy 2025 and Senior Attorney at Democracy Forward, who will be joining us by zoom. 

Democracy Forward is a national legal organization that advances democracy and social progress through litigation, policy and public education, and regulatory engagement. They have been at the forefront of the largest and most successful legal efforts against the unlawful executive orders of the current administration. Come hear about the important work Rachel has been spearheading and how you can get involved! And of course light refreshments will be served!

Jewish Summer Camp Open House & Lunch!

Sunday, February 1, 1:00pm

at the Brookline home of Deb & Andrew Becker

[address provided upon request]

Come learn about URJ Camps Eisner & Crane Lake, and see why Jewish

summer camp becomes a lifelong home for so many children!

You’re invited to an Open House to:

• Meet the Camp Director of Crane Lake
• Learn how camp builds connections, confidence, friendships, and

Jewish identity

• Get a taste of daily camp life—fun, ruach, creativity, and community
• Learn about the availability of scholarship funding
• Ask questions and connect with other camp families

Open to families with children in grades 2-7

Pizza Lunch provided

Speak with Rabbi Vogel or Rabbi Stein to RSVP or ask questions

Cohon Lecture Weekend With Guest Speaker:

Dr. Arnold 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 professor of Jewish Thought. 

Dr. Eisen is the author of a number of books, most recently Seeking the Hiding God: A Personal Theological Essay (2025). He is also the author of The Jew Within: Self, Family, and Community in America (2000), and Rethinking Modern Judaism: Ritual, Commandment, Community (1998). Before serving at JTS, he was on the faculty at Stanford University.

During his tenure as chancellor of JTS, Dr. Eisen transformed the education of religious, pedagogical, professional, and lay leaders for North American Jewry, with a focus on graduating highly skilled, innovative leaders who bring Judaism alive in ways that speak authentically to Jews at a time of rapid and far-reaching change.

Friday night, February 6, 6:00pm: Shabbat service, Sanctuary

Talk and discussion during Shabbat services

Saturday morning, February 7:

9:30am Shabbat Minyan service

Followed by Lunch-and-Learn with Dr. Eisen

Discussion and Study in Weintraub Community Room

Sunday morning, February 8, 9:45am:

Theology dialogue between Dr. Eisen & Rabbi Andy Vogel

The Cohon Lecture was established in memory of Temple Sinai's founding rabbi, Rabbi Beryl D. Cohon, who served our congregation until 1964. The lecture established in his memory is organized and overseen by our Adult Jewish Learning Committee, and is funded by the Cohon Memorial Lecture Fund.

Tot Shabbat

Saturday, February 7 at 10:00am

Families with young children ages 0-5 are warmly invited to join Rabbi Talia Stein in celebrating Shabbat together. Rabbi Stein 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!

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.

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 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.

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.