A Busy Year Coming Up (October 2012)

Dear Temple Sinai Members,

We have now begun our new year, 5773, and I hope it will be a good one for all of you. As always, Rabbi Bennett and Cantor Gordon inspired us during the Rosh HaShana and Yom Kippur services and Ethan Nash, our Religious School music teacher provided his wonderful voice as an extra bonus. The music of our accompanist, Nina Miller, and the organizational skills of our administrator, Joyce Sturm, round out a perfect team that we are so lucky to have.

Many thanks to Amy Pinette, chairman of the Religious Affairs committee as well as the ushers and many volunteers who take care of so many details.

In addition to the High Holiday services, September was a busy month with the Welcome & Welcome Back Shabbat organized by Lisa Tanen-LaFontaine and the Membership committee.

Religious School began on schedule and organized thanks to our director, Rena Citron. It was exciting to see so many families on the first day including the many new members who have joined us.

The Temple board participated in a retreat at the end of August and we were fortunate to have a facilitator provided by the URJ. We all felt inspired to plan for the future of Temple Sinai and look forward to planning programs that will be meaningful for all of our members. One of the outcomes of the retreat was a commitment from all to work jointly rather than in “silos”. An example of this is the program on December 8 which began with the Adult Education committee and the Sisterhood has joined to plan the event as well. Details of the program can be found in this bulletin.

October brings Sukkot and Simchat Torah and I hope many of you and your children will be able to join the celebration of these meaningful holidays. November will also be a busy month at Temple Sinai, first with our celebration on November 3 of the twenty five years Rabbi Bennett has been our spiritual leader and friend. On November 18, the Social Action committee has planned two important events — please see Sarah Maltese’s article in this bulletin. In the evening of November 18, we will be participating in the Thanksgiving Service presented by the Newington lnterfaith Clergy. This is always a meaningful event and I hope we can have a good attendance from Temple Sinai.

B’Shalom,

Carol Benjamin, Temple President