Adjusting Our Community Commitment Structure

Information Meeting: Thursday, February 13 at 7:30 pm

Special Meeting of the Congregation: Wednesday, February 26 at 7:30 pm

For the first time in 20 years, Temple Sinai is changing our community commitment (aka dues, or membership commitment) structure and recalculating the suggested annual commitment. While the majority of members will see a slight if any change in their annual commitment — and we will continue to welcome all members regardless of financial circumstances — we want everyone to understand the reasons for the adjustments. 

Learn more

Nominating Committee

The Nominating Committee is now meeting to propose a slate of new members for both the Board of Trustees and the Nominating Committee for the term beginning June 1, 2025. Please fill out this form if you would like to propose yourself or another member. 

Volunteers Needed!

Do you have time on occasional Fridays? SinaiCares and our community outreach efforts could use your help with special deliveries to other members. Whether you can lend a hand once or a few times a year, your support makes a meaningful difference. Check out the opportunities below, and if you’re interested or want to learn more, please reach out to Karen Auerbach.

New Members Bags

Pick up welcome bags at the Temple on Fridays and deliver them to new member homes on Fridays or Saturdays. We try to make deliveries three-four times a year. We can also use help packing bags.

Challahs and Yahrzeit Candles

Deliver challahs to members who have had a recent death in the family, and yahrzeit candles to members before the first yahrzeit of a loved one’s death. Deliveries are usually done on Fridays.

Mishloach Manot Bags

Deliver mishloach manot bags to select members for Purim. Bags can be pick up at the temple on Friday, March 7 and delivered March 7 or 8. We can also use help packing bags.

This Week at TSRS

• Summer Camp Info
• 2025-2026 Calendar Input
• Upcoming Programs at TSRS

Sinai Wigglers Baby Group

Tuesdays at 9:30 am

Calling all caregivers and little ones under the age of 1! Sinai Wigglers is the perfect place to hang out, play, and make new friends at Temple Sinai. We’ll have plenty of coffee to go around. Contact Lisa Resnikoff with questions.

No RSVP necessary.

Tot Shabbat Storytime

Saturday, February 15 at 9:30 am

Head to the TSLibrary for a special Shabbat Storytime with librarian Ruth Polk. We’ll also enjoy challah, juice, crafts, and have some time to browse the shelves!

No RSVP necessary.

Daytimers

Monday, February 10 at 1:00 pm

Join us via Zoom for Antisemitism In Our Community and the Wider World with Rabbi Noah Diamondstein.

Learn more

Daytimers Social: Wednesday, February 19 at 10:30 am

We will provide the coffee and homemade cake, and you will provide the company and conversation. If you can, please let Karen Auerbach know if you are coming. You are also welcome to just show up!

Tuesday Adult Class

Tuesday, February 18 at 10:00 am

This year, we are studying the Jewish calendar using the book From Time to Time: Journeys in the Jewish Calendar by Rabbi Dalia Marx, PhD. Participants are welcome to join in person or virtually. 

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From the TS Library: Blacks and Jews for Black History Month

Bridges and Boundaries: African Americans and American Jews by Jack Salzman, ed. (1992)

Building on an exhibit at New York’s Jewish Museum, fifteen critical essays by leading historians, scholars and political and religious figures examine the historical relationships between African Americans and American Jews.

Blacks and Jews: Alliances and Arguments by Paul Berman, ed. (1994)

Essays written from the sixties to the 1990s by such leaders of the Jewish and African-American communities as Cynthia Ozick, Shelby Steele, and Cornel West trace the complex, sometimes troubled relationship of American Jews and Blacks.

Jews & Blacks: A Dialogue on Race, Religion, and Culture in America by Michael Lerner & Cornel West (1996)

Examining the issues that have united Blacks and Jews in the past and now separate them, two long-time friends and leading intellectuals try to restore the special relationship between the two groups in a hard-hitting and worthwhile exchange.

Want to borrow a book? Email the librarian. To access the catalogue and see library news, visit our homepage.

TSWRJ Hike 

Sunday, February 9 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.

Donate Judaica to Los Angeles Families

Through Friday, February 14 at 12:00 pm

Temple Sinai Women of Reform Judaism (TSWRJ) is launching a campaign to support families in Los Angeles who have tragically lost their homes—and their cherished Judaica items—in recent fires. As we approach Passover, we are focusing our initial efforts on providing Seder plates to help these families celebrate the holiday and reclaim a sense of tradition and connection. 

Learn more and donate

CIESJ Virtual Book Discussion

Sunday, February 9 at 10:00 am

Ramot Shalom/Sinai Book Club will be discussing Our Country Friends by Gary Shteyngart.

Learn more

CIESJ Recommends

Trump announced a Gaza takeover plan on Tuesday, February 4. It is inane, immoral, impulsive, impractical, dangerous and is being renounced worldwide. This week's update includes a few articles which summarize and explain the plan. 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

Green Team: Tu BiSh'vat Seder

Wednesday, February 12 at 6:00 pm

Celebrate Tu BiSh’vat, the Jewish "New Year for Trees," with a meaningful evening honoring nature and spiritual growth. Cantor Rhodes will lead a Tu BiSh'vat Seder followed by a vegetarian potluck dinner and an opportunity to hear from guest speaker Joelle Novey, Director of Interfaith Power and Light, DMV.

RSVP

Did you know?

As part of our commitment to climate action, Temple Sinai started composting in May 2024. So far, Temple Sinai’s composting efforts have diverted 2.2 tons of food waste. From a greenhouse gas emissions reduction standpoint, this is equivalent to 28 urban trees seedlings grown for 10 years, or 197 gallons of gas saved, or not driving 4,349 miles!

In honor of Tu BiSh'vat, consider making a tzedakah contribution to support costs of composting at Temple Sinai. We need to raise $1,800 to fully cover the cost of our composting program for this year. Your contribution can help keep our composting program going and reinforce our community commitment to climate action! You can give online here or mail a donation to Temple Sinai’s Development Office.

Refugee Shabbat

Friday, February 14 starting at 5:45 pm

Join us for this special Shabbat service where we will be hearing from participants of our upcoming Border Trip. They will share their experiences of visiting the border communities and what we can do in our own community on this important issue. The service begins at 6:30 pm and will be preceded by an Oneg featuring catering from Immigrant Food starting at 5:45pm.