A New Year Begins

Dear Fellow Temple Sinai Members,

I hope you have all enjoyed the wonderful weather we have had this summer, and are ready for the fall activities both here at Temple Sinai as well as in your secular life. As the High Holidays are later this year than last, we have a bit more time to ease into our most holy time of the year. I hope you look forward to this special place in our religious calendar as we reconnect with each other and share this time of prayer and reflection.

I am beginning my last year as President and although it has been challenging at times, overall this has been a special privilege and honor for me. I thank all of you for your support and faith in me. I continue to look forward to another year of accomplishments and pride in the very special place that Temple Sinai is for all of our members.

Elsewhere in this bulletin is information about several upcoming events, but I would like to mention them and personally ask for your attendance and support. On September 5 is our annual Welcome and Welcome Back Shabbat service and dinner. This is not only for our Religious School families, but a welcome back for all our members who may have taken a sabbatical from Temple activities for the summer. We also welcorne new members and anyone considering joining our congregation. Please feel free to invite your friends who may not have discovered what a wonderful membership we have.

On September 13 we are having what I believe is our first, but hopefully not last, Shabbaton. It will be a day of prayer, study, fun, and of course eating for all members and all ages. Many, many thanks to CJ Hauss, chairperson of the Adult Education committee who has planned this wonderful event with members of her committee as well as representatives of many other groups at the Temple.

In November, our NUTSY youth group will be hosting the fall regional conclavette. I know that seems a ways off, but a great deal of planning goes into an event this large. One of the biggest needs will be housing for up to 300 teens. Temple Sinai has responded in a most generous way in the past for these events, and I hope we will again this year. These teens come with their own linens and bedding and, most important, they have a great love for Judaism. So let’s show them again what a warm, welcoming congregation we have.

Looking forward to seeing and greeting all of you at Conard,

L’Shana Tova,

Carol Benjamin / President