Social Action is of vital concern at Temple Sinai. We participate in The Interfaith Council, contribute to a shelter program and plan activities through our Social Action Committee. Our Religious School children learn Tzedakah through participation in various Social Action projects.

On Christmas Day members of the Temple volunteer at Stamford hospitals, as well as prepare and serve a festive holiday meal at the New Covenant House of Hospitality Soup Kitchen.  Throughout the year we make sandwiches, hot meals, and collect food items for a local shelter.

Sisterhood and Brotherhood provide additional social and cultural programs.  Special Sunday morning brunches feature programs such as political candidate debates, Hannukah Family Dinner and other activities.  Family and adult events are planned throughout the year.

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If you are interested in joining one of these committees or finding out more about their activities, please call the Temple Sinai office for the name of the committee chairperson or e-mail the Temple Office now.

Arts & Aesthetics:

This committee is responsible for issues related to the design, acquisition and placement of artwork, furniture and related items within the Temple.

Brotherhood:

Temple Sinai Brotherhood fosters a spirit of good fellowship and friendship and provides a wide range of services to the Temple including High Holy Day ushering, Rosh Hashanah reception, Political Brunch, Bar-b-que at Pacific House, Mitzvah Day Bar-B-Que and educational programs. Brotherhood sells certificates for many local retailers; a portion of those proceeds help fund Brotherhood activities. All male members are eligible to join Brotherhood.

Building & Grounds:

Responsible for the maintenance and upkeep of the Temple facilities.

Caring Committee:

The Caring Committee is a new venture at Temple Sinai, composed of eight or nine members from varying segments of the Congregation. Its charter is an expanding one, but its immediate goals are to reach out to members of the Temple community in times of need; to reach out to families with members facing serious illness, and at times of death to advise the congregation of their loss, assist in their period of shiva, and to advise them of the Temple’s Cemetery options.

Operating under the Kehillah Committee, we are continuing to redefine our role.

Choirs:

Under the direction of Cantor, Cathy Lawrence, we have a volunteer adult choir, youth chorale and junior choir. Our choirs add a special musical and spiritual element to Shabbat and holiday services.

College Committee:

This committee helps college students who are away from home to stay in touch by way of Temple mailings and holiday care packages.

Communications:

This committee looks at ways we communicate with one another as members, as well as how we communicate with prospective members and the greater community.

The Communications committee seeks to align all of Temple Sinai’s communications materials into a consistent look and message, recommends and develops appropriate communications policies, new methods, and timing all of Temple communications efforts.

Experiment in Congregational Education:

Temple Sinai joined with 13 other Reform congregations around the country in the Experiment in Congregational Education (ECE). In the three years of our active participation, we have studied the culture at Temple Sinai and gotten to know our membership better. From this knowledge, our vision statement and strategic values were developed. We have recognized the areas of Avodah (Worship), Torah (Learning), K'hillah (Community) as the prime areas and have formed working groups to address these needs.

Hannukah Dinner:

Temple Sinai celebrates Hanukkah as a congregation, thanks to the efforts of Brotherhood and Sisterhood. This annual event brings together over 200 Temple members.

House:

Responsible for the maintenance and upkeep of the Temple facilities.

Interfaith and Outreach:

This group facilitates communication and understanding between the Temple and those who have been touched by interfaith issues. Interfaith families are welcomed to our temple community.

Membership:

This committee helps attract new members and helps them feel a part of the congregation. They also help arrange activities for existing membership.

Mitzvah Day:

In the spirit of Tikun Olam, Temple Sinai sponsors an annual Mitzvah Day devoted to community service projects. There are over 21 organized events to support the Temple and our needy community at large. Activities include participating in an AmeriCares house project, preparing food or personal care items for the needy, outings for people in shelters, and coordinating various temple fix-up projects. Over 300 Temple members of all ages participate in this meaningful day.

Publicity:

This group is responsible for issuing articles and announcements of Temple activities to the relevant community publications.

Shiva Minyanim:

During a period of bereavement, Temple Sinai supports its members.  Recently, a bereavement committee has been formed to identify ways that we can better support members in need. The rabbi or Cantor will arrange for services during the Shiva period. Contact Rabbi Disick if you are interested in conducting a minyan.

Sisterhood: The Women of Reform Judaism:

Sisterhood addressed issues and concerns of the women of the Temple by providing appealing and informative programs throughout the year. They sponsor the Yom Kippur break fast, hold a Passover Tasteria, coordinate the congregational second seder for Passover to name a few. The Judaica gift shop is run by the Sisterhood.

Social Action:

Temple Sinai is involved in many mitzvotthat provide services to Temple members and to others in our community at large. Temple Sinai members prepare sandwiches for the Pacific House Shelter, serve dinner at the St. Luke's Lifework's Women housing, volunteer for the Food Bank/Table to Table/Meals on Wheels, organize a High Holy Day food drive and serve Christmas dinner at the New Covenant House. Social Action provides many worthwhile opportunities to volunteer.

Sukkot & Bimah Decorating:

This family event is a fun-filled activity in preparation for Sukkot.

Temple Bulletin:

The Temple Sinai Bulletin is published monthly, approximately 10 times throughout the year. This newsletter helps keep congregants informed about all of the activities at the Temple. If you wish to have something considered for publication in the Bulletin, the submission deadline is the first week of the month preceding publication.

Web Site:

Formed for the purpose of assessing the requirements for a full-function website, assembling the materials to be posted on the website, indentifying and interfacing with a website designer, editing text, approving the look, function and flow of the website pages, selecting graphics, and establishing areas of responsibility and timetables for the timely updating of the website content. The committee now reports to the Communications Committee of the board, and it welcomes the participation and comments of interested members of the congregation.

Yom Kippur Break Fast:

Sisterhood sponsors a congregational break fast in the Atrium following the concluding service on Yom Kippur.

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