Temple Sinai Brotherhood and the Social Action Committee joined together again this year to co-sponsor a Habitat for Humanity Build under the direction of the Houston Bar Association. 

We worked April 18-19 at 11423 and 11427 Roandale in the Umland Park subdivision, near Reliant Stadium.

For more information, contact the Temple office.

TEMPLE SINAI BENEFACTOR AWARD

This year’s recipients of the Temple Sinai Benefactor Award are David and Debbie Simon.  David and Debbie have been longtime members, and have been and continue to be actively engaged in our congregational life.  This is our highest honor bestowed on volunteers who have demonstrated a continued commitment to our congregation’s health and vitality through their efforts.  We honored Debbie and David at our April 11 Shabbat service and at a special Oneg Shabbat following services.  Prior to the service, the David and Debbie were joined by the prior Benefactors and the Temple Board for a wonderful dinner, prepared by Rina Mesarwi and her team of helpers.

ACADEMY AWARD NIGHT AT TEMPLE SINAI

A great time was had by all on Sunday, March 3.  Click here for more information.

YOM LIMMUD SCHOLAR IN RESIDENCE

Yom Limmud, the Jewish community's annual Day of Learning, took place on Sunday, February 17, 2008. Temple Sinai received a Shabbat Limmud Scholar grant and hosted Rabbi Geoffrey Dennis for Shabbat services on February 15 and 16. Rabbi Dennis also presented at Yom Limmud on Sunday.

Geoffrey Dennis is the rabbi of Congregation Kol Ami in Flower Mound, Texas.  He is also Adjunct Professor of Rabbinic Literature in the Jewish Studies program at the University of North Texas.  In addition to his rabbinic ordination, Rabbi Dennis has also earned undergraduate degrees in Education and Nursing.  Before entering the rabbinate, he was a Registered Nurse, working in Cardiac Care, Long-term Care and Hospice. Rabbi Dennis has a deep commitment to pastoral care, interfaith work, and adult education and has published a number of articles in these fields.  He is a major contributor to Encyclopedia Mythica, an online resource devoted to world myth and folklore.  While here, Rabbi dennis spoke on the following subjects.

Kabbalat Shabbat ­ "Kabbalah: Jewish Myth, Mysticism, and Magic"
Shabbat Lunch ­ "This, Too, is Torah: The Rationale for the Practice of Medicine in Judaism"
Yom Limmud ­ "Avodat Ha-Lev: Helping Our Children Cultivate a Prayer Life"

TEMPLE SINAI VISITS ISRAEL

This year Israel turns 60 and Temple Sinai has begun the celebration.  On February 2, a group of congregants led by Rabbi Todd Thalblum began with a flight from Houston to Tel-Aviv and then started their exploration of this multi-faceted land of big cities, small villages, mountains, and desert. 

Read reports that came in from the travelers, posted here

HELP HONOR OUR VETERANS

The Social Action Committee's Winter Event was in honor of veterans.  We collected gently used sweaters, coats, jackets, and blankets and asked congregants to write letters of gratitude for the veterans' service.  Collection boxes were set up in the Temple lobby to receive these.  Then on February 10 at 12:30pm the committee, along with the Temple Youth Group, visited with veterans on the spinal chord injury unit at the VA Hospital where the items and letters were distributed.  Cookies in bags that say "we love our vets" were also be passed out. 

SPECIAL CONGREGATIONAL MEETING

On Sunday, January 27 at 12:30 pm, a State of the Temple presentation was provided.  This progress report introduced SinaiVision and discussed, in light of recent announcements, where we are going and how we propose to get there. 

SISTERHOOD'S 4TH ANNUAL MYSTERY DINNER THEATRE

On Saturday, January 26 at 6:30 pm, a murder was committed and the audience was told about the victim and introduced to the suspects.  But the audience did not just observe, the audience became the investigative team to find out "whodunit?".  

TU BI'SHEVAT CELEBRATION AT TEMPLE SINAI

On Sunday, January 20 at 10:00 am, the Temple Sinai Religious School celebrated Tu Bi'Shevat with a special Seder.  Many Temple members took an active part in creating this celebration which has become a unique tradition of Temple Sinai.

The sanctuary was transformed and all tables had the typical fruits for each of Assiyah, Yetzirah, Briyah and Atzilut.  Red and white wine were used.  Using the Jewish National Fund's holiday haggadah, participants learned the significance of this holiday.  Different fruits were tasted, and blessings were said.  Immediately after the service students and adults planted a tree.  The celebration ended with a light lunch for all.

TEMPLE SINAI JOINS "STRIDES FOR CHANGE"

For our first event of the new year, 5768, Temple Sinai Social Action joined forces with Todd’s Troopers to promote and participate in the “Strides for Change” walk, an annual event, sponsored by Mothers Against Drunk Drivers (MADD).   The purpose was to raise public awareness about drunk driving and raise funds to rid our streets of drunk drivers, making roads safer for us all.   More than 135 people registered on Todd’s Troopers and of those, nearly 100 walkers were in attendance.   The team proudly donned shirts memorializing Todd Levin, son of Carol & Stu, who was a victim of a drunk driver last year.   Being the largest team of the local walk, The Levin family & Todd’s Troopers led the spirited gathering of walkers who converged on Sam Houston Race Park.   The team consisted of many Temple Sinai members including Rabbi Todd & Sabrina Thalblum who walked with their children, TeSTY members, religious school teachers, Board Members, Sisterhood & Brotherhood members as well as numerous family and friends of the Levin clan.

Committing time to this event sent a positive message to our children and the world, at large about how we strongly we oppose drunk driving.   Many thanks to all participants and donors for your support.   Huge thanks to Miriam Wolod for designing the beautiful, informative flyers that circulated at Temple and went home with all of the Religious School kids, and a gigantic thank you to all who donated funds to put Todd’s Trooper over the top in surpassing their fundraising goal.   The team raised more than $12,000. Working together, we can make a difference!

Religious School End of Year Party

 

Youth Activities