webmaster's blog

Important Advocacy Action regarding Conversion Legislation in Israel

An important request for action from ARZA President, Rabbi Bob Orkand

 

 

Interfaith Ministries Women's Programs

 

 

Interfaith Relations Announcement

March 2010

 

Multifaith Banner

Jewish Federation Birthright Israel

Letter From Israel - Stephen Simon Guest Blog #2

Shalom Temple Sinai,

I apologize I have not written more.  Settling down has taken a while, but I think I've finally managed to get a grasp on life in Eretz Yisrael.

A lot has happened in the past month. My school put on a tiyul (trip) to the Arava in the Negev (30 minutes north of Eilat).  We spent 3 days at Kibbutz Ketura where we had daily hikes and excursions to Eilat and historic sites.  If you were keeping up with the news in Israel, the Negev (which almost never gets rain) got the most rain in the last 20 years causing massive flash floods, the likes of which I had never seen before.  Imagine the Braes Bayou rushing with water collected from all the mountains of the Negev.  I look many pictures and video and have attached a few for everyone to see.  For those that ever have or do say the Birkat HaMazon on Shabbat, there is a line about the waters rushing in the Negev (b'negev).  I will never be able overlook these words again after this unbelievable experience.

Jewish Community Night with the Rockets

Jewish Community Night
 with the Rockets

Houston Rockets vs. Sacramento Kings

Wednesday, March 3rd

Letter From Israel - Stephen Simon Guest Blog

 

Shalom Aleichem from the Holy Land!  At the request of my family, Rabbi Annie, Rina, and other members of the congregation I’ve decided to share my experience living in Israel with everyone back home for the next few months.
Since arriving Jan 5th, I’ve been one busy Jew.  I’m living with 2 roommates from my program (Pardes Institute of Jewish Studies) in southern Jerusalem in the German Colony area (good amount of Americans and some of the best places to eat in the city).  The city is beautiful so when ever I can I walk.  I’m about a 25 minute walk to the Jaffa Gate, the old city, and the Kotel and 20 minutes the other way to the center of town, Ben Yehuda area, and the shuk (market).

My Social Action project….. (Guest Blog)

My Social Action project…..

By Margot Sechler

My parents, Betty and Gil Sichel,  taught me how to live life by doing.  They were always active in Social Action at the Temple where I grew up.  And so I have always felt that this was not an option, but an activity that is an integral, key part of my life. 

Shalom Baby / Chai Baby

Guest D'var Torah - Stephen Simon

Parsha Vayishlach

 

(Rabbi Annie has invited members of the congregation to be guest speakers from the pulpit on occasion.  Last Friday, December 4, Stephen Simon spoke to us.)

 

The plane ride was long… really long, the seats were cramped, and I was surrounded by students that I had yet to meet, yet none of that bothered me.  I was filled with excitement and eagerness.  I had waited 19 years to go home.  A home that for the first 19 years of my life I had never seen, I had only learned about, but that was all about to change.  I was going home, home to the land of my forefathers and mothers, to eretz yisrael.  In those 10 days I was filled with what 19 years of Jewish education had been void of, a first hand connection to the land.  An experience that was all mine.  Birthright provided me such an amazing experience that in the last 5 years I have been 3 times, and on Jan 4th I will make in a 4th.  After all it is our home.  Isn’t it?

Interfaith Thanksgiving Service

Last night, I and several fellow members of Temple Sinai had the great pleasure of attending the Third Annual Interfaith Thanksgiving Service at the New Hope Presbyterian Church in Katy.  This was presented by the Katy/West Houston Interfaith Clergy Association.

Syndicate content