Friday, September 27

Next Week: Shabbat Service followed by Discussion with Author Annie Sklaver Orenstein

Friday, October 4 at 6:30 pm

During the period between Rosh HaShanah and Yom Kippur, it is traditional to visit the graves of relatives. On this in-between-Shabbat, we welcome Annie Sklaver Orenstein, author of Always A Sibling: The Forgotten Mourner's Guide to Grief. After the service, she will be in conversation with Rabbi Hannah Goldstein to discuss grief, sibling loss, and how we can support our friends and loved ones when they experience loss.

Order a Book

Tickets & Capacity

Member ticket requests opened on August 12 on a first come, first served basis. At this time, we are at capacity for our morning services in the Sanctuary. If you are a member:

• Request tickets for evening services at the temple and morning services at B-CC High School
• Join the waitlist for Morning Sanctuary tickets

Our Tot Family services are open to the community--not just members and school families! Request tickets here

If you have tickets for any services you no longer plan to use, please let us know!

Rosh Hashanah Morning Pop-Up Choir

The Temple Sinai Pop-Up choir will make the Shofar Service even that much more exciting this year by leading Hayom Harat Olam! If you have tickets to the sanctuary service on Rosh HaShanah morning, come learn the song with Cantor Rhodes on Sunday, September 29 from 1:00-2:00 pm and sing it twice on Rosh HaShanah morning. This is open to all ages and all musical abilities. Email Gail Sell to sign up to get more information!

Lulav & Etrog

Deadline Extended! Order by September 30

Order a lulav and etrog set for use at home this year! Sets will be available for pickup at Temple Sinai between Yom Kippur and Sukkot.

Order Now

Volunteers Wanted!

Members who volunteer to serve as ushers and greeters during High Holiday Services play an important part in creating a warm and welcoming environment. We'd love to have you join our cadre of dedicated of ushers and greeters this year!

Learn more and volunteer

Prayer Books

New Machzors for services at Temple Sinai

Copies of our new machzor, Mishkan HaNefesh, will be available for everyone worshiping with us in person at Temple Sinai. If you are joining us via livestream for services, we encourage you to purchase your own. Custom booklets will be used for services at B-CC High School.

Learn more

Donate Your Old Machzors

The Green Team will be collecting copies of Gates of Repentance during Rosh HaShanah and Yom Kippur services – just bring your old ones with you to drop off in our collections bins at Temple Sinai. Books will not be collected at B-CC High School.

High Holiday Fund Drive for the Capital Area Food Bank (CAFB)

TSWRJ is again coordinating the Temple’s High Holidays Fund Drive to support the CAFB. A staggering one-third of our neighbors are experiencing food insecurity—over 1 million people, many of them children. Each $20 you contribute can feed a family of four for 4-5 days. That’s good food today for a bright future tomorrow! Please donate online or you can also donate by check or by using your Donor Advised Fund—details are on the fundraising page. Your support will really make a difference!

This Week at TSRS

We're looking forward to a fabulous second week of TSRS!

Learn more

Tot Shabbat Playdate

Saturday, October 5 at 9:30 am

We’ll gather together to celebrate Shabbat, play, and enjoy some challah and juice too.

No RSVP necessary; we’ll be on the playground or inside if the weather doesn’t cooperate. Best for children ages 0-5 and their families.

Security Training for Members

Thursday, September 26 at 7:00 pm

Help make Temple Sinai a Welcoming, Safe, and Secure Environment! Join us for a 1-hour Situational Awareness training led by the executive director of JShield: Security by the Jewish Federation of Greater Washington and an overview of Temple Sinai's safety program with TS executive director Ellen Agler. Whether you have participated in a temple security training before or this will be your first time, attendees consistently report leaving the program feeling informed and better prepared to serve as part of the temple’s safety team.

Register

TSWRJ & Davis Center Mah Jongg Fun Day to Benefit the Meadow Reproductive Health and Wellness Clinic

Sunday, September 29, 2:30-5:30 pm

Bring your friends, spouse or partner, or anyone who wants to play or learn to play, including non-Temple Sinai members. All levels of players are welcome!

Register

TSWRJ Hike

Sunday, October 6 at 9:00 am

Meet the WRJ for a hike at the Rock Creek Park Nature Center parking lot, next to the water fountain. No RSVPs necessary. Questions? Contact Liz Brenner.

Jewish Cultural Journey with Cantor Croen

March 25-April 4, 2025

Join Cantor Emerita Laura Croen for a vibrant trip to Argentina and Uruguay!

Register for a Zoom info session 10/20

See the trip itinerary

From the TS Library: National Comic Book Day

American Comics: A History by Jeremy Asher Dauber (2022)

A rich chronicle of the last 150 years of American history through the lens of its comic strips, political cartoons, and graphic novels, many of them the product of Jewish creators.

Superman is Jewish?: How Comic Book Superheroes Came to Serve Truth, Justice, and the Jewish-American Way by Harry Brod (2012)

An exploration of how beloved comic book characters were not only created by Jewish artists and writers, but also reflected the cultural and religious traditions of their makers.

Men of Tomorrow: Geeks, Gangsters, and the Birth of the Comic Book by Gerard Jones (2004)

A deeply researched account of the creation of the superhero by immigrants Joe Shuster and Jerry Siegel, who fought a lifelong campaign for credit and appropriate compensation.

To borrow these or other books email the librarian. To access the catalogue and see library news, visit our homepage.

CIESJ Presents: Voices of Determination in partnership with the New Israel Fund

Wednesday, September 25 at 7:00 pm

NIF-Israel Director Mickey Gitzin and Palestinian-Israeli Physician and Activist Dr. Yasmeen Abu Fraiha in conversation with Host of Radio Atlantic Hannah Rosin.

Register

Pre-Holiday Shabbat with Congregation Ramot Shalom

Friday, September 27 at 10:30 am

We've been invited to a special pre- High Holiday service at our partner congregation, Congregation Ramot Shalom in Be'er Sheva at 10:30 am Eastern time, 5:30 pm in Israel. Join from home and enjoy the music, prayers, and welcome from this special congregation.

Learn more

Mark October 7th with our Jewish Community

Monday, October 7 at 7:00 pm (doors open at 6:00 pm)

Join Temple Sinai's clergy team and thousands of others from across the Jewish community to commemorate one year since our world changed forever. Gather with us in grief, solace, and healing for an evening hosted by The Jewish Federation of Greater Washington, the Jewish Community Relations Council, and the Washington Board of Rabbis. This event will take place at The Anthem (901 Wharf St SW).

Register by October 6

At Temple Sinai, our Yom Kippur afternoon service will include a special “Eileh Azkarah” ceremony to remember those killed on October 7th. Request tickets.

CIESJ Recommends

The Committee for Israel Engagement and Social Justice continues to compile materials meant to provide a range of thoughtful opinion and analysis pieces that supplement the basic factual reporting that people follow in their regular media intake.

Read this week's recommendations

Advocate for Healthy Homes with WIN

Thursday, September 26 at 7:00 pm

WIN will be holding a public forum tomorrow night at Holy Redeemer Catholic Church (206 New York Avenue NW) to ensure that DC officials have a strong implementation plan for the Healthy Homes Act! This legislation provides free energy-efficient upgrades for low to moderate-income residents, leading to lower utility bills and a healthier environment. 

Register

Get Out the Vote

Attention Maryland Voters- order a yard sign to support Ballot Q1

Maryland's ballot will include a referendum on a constitutional amendment protecting reproductive rights. Vote YES on Ballot Question 1, which seeks to enshrine reproductive rights in Maryland’s state Constitution.

If you’d like a yard sign supporting Question 1, you may pick one up from Carole Brand. Sign up here.

8-Week Bereavement Support Group

Beginning Monday, October 21 at 10:30 am

Sinai Cares Staff Clinical Social Worker Deborah Gordis will be facilitating a support group for individuals who have experienced recent loss due to the death of a parent, sibling, or spouse/partner. The goal of the group is to provide a space for connection and healing within a safe and supportive environment. Group size is limited to 8-10 participants.

Learn more

In the Community

TS Librarian Ruth Polk in conversation with Liz Kleinrock and Caroline Kusin Pritchard for What Jewish Looks Like

Wednesday, September 25 at 6:00 pm

Head to People's Book in Takoma Park for a discussion about a powerful anthology that celebrates unsung heroes, across various intersectional identities, who are Jewish.

Learn more and pre-order a copy of What Jewish Looks Like

Community Memorial Services at the Garden of Remembrance

Sunday, September 29, 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m.

Submit names of loved ones to be remembered and announced a the memorial service by September 26 to info@gardenofremembrance.org. Live-Stream available at Gardenofremembrance.org. 

The Montgomery County Board of Elections Looking for Volunteers in Grades 6-12

Montgomery County’s Future Vote Initiative encourages students from grades 6 to 12 to participate in elections. The program will give young people an understanding of what it means to exercise their vote and empower others to do the same. Future Vote application deadline is October 16, 2024. 

Learn more

Teens Can Be Poll Workers Too!

Students 16 years or older are eligible to register to vote and serve as election poll workers. Each student will earn a minimum $250 stipend or up to 25 Student Service Learning (SSL) hours per full day of service. Training is required and will be provided, including an online quiz and in-person classroom training.

Learn more

Looking ahead to Temple Sinai’s annual Chanukah Mart

Fill out our survey and you’ll be entered for a $25 gift certificate to spend anywhere at the Mart. Find the 2-minute survey here.