Circles 2022-2023

 

 

A JOURNEY OF SELF-AWARENESS AND DISCOVERY IN RELATION TO RACE CIRCLE

Circle Leader: Joan Madison
 

Our Circle is eagerly embarking on our third cycle. We will continue to learn about the historical and current manifestations of racism and to examine our own thoughts and feelings as we learn. Our racial awareness journeys have been challenging and exhilarating! We regularly consider new ideas for discussion and possible action. We welcome congregants who have been on their own paths of racial awareness to join us. Circle meets on Weekday Mornings - TBD.

 

AMIDAH LEADERSHIP INITIATIVE (ALI)

Circle Leader: Martha Kramer
 

The future of Temple Sinai depends on the development of an energetic and passionate group of leaders. Would you like to grow as a leader? If so, the Temple Sinai ALI Circle is designed for you. The ALI Circle’s goal is to support the development of lay leadership and strengthen our community of future leaders, all informed by our Jewish heritage and values. Circle meets on Sundays at 9:15am.

 

AVODAT HALEV – THE HEART’S LABOR CIRCLE

Circle Leaders: Rabbi Jay TelRav and Cantor Micah Morgovsky
 

Once a month, a large group of people gather for a quiet, contemplative meditation service on Shabbat morning called, "Avodat HaLev - The Heart's Labor."  It is a time to receive energy and ideas.  As a compliment to this service, there is a smaller group who begins a bit earlier each month.  The Circle, which meets 45 minutes before (8:15am, the first Saturday of the month), is in contrast, a time when you do most of the talking.  The Rabbi and Cantor will lead you through a conversation to explore the theme of the service and to continue to express your evolving individual beliefs.  It’s a great way to begin Shabbat morning with good people, good energy and good ideas.  All are welcome to join this circle. Circle meets on the First Saturday at 8:00am.

 

CINEMA CIRCLES

Circle Leaders: Carl Rosen

sORRY, THIS CIRCLE IS FULLY BOOKED
 

Movies affect many of us powerfully and can elicit deep feelings and help us reflect on our lives or the lives and culture of others. Movies are often a mirror image of society and can be inspirational and expand our knowledge of the world and attitudes around us. Current and classic movies will serve as a background for discussion on a wide variety of topics. Movies will be selected by the circle members. Circle meets on Sundays at 4:00pm.
 

CINEMA CIRCLES

Circle Leaders: Carl Rosen and Glenn Wolff
sORRY, THIS CIRCLE IS FULLY BOOKED
 

Movies affect many of us powerfully and can elicit deep feelings and help us reflect on our lives or the lives and culture of others. Movies are often a mirror image of society and can be inspirational and expand our knowledge of the world and attitudes around us. Current and classic movies will serve as a background for discussion on a wide variety of topics. Movies will be selected by the circle members. Circle meets on Sundays at 1:00pm.

 

Families with Young Children FUN CIRCLE

Circle Leader: Joanna Frank
 

The Family Fun Circle is like a youth group for young families! Once a month we will get together and participate in a fun activity. Apple and pumpkin picking, a playground playdate, or sharing Shabbat dinner together, are some of the endless possibilities to have tons of fun. Recommended ages: families with children elementary school aged or younger. Circle meets on the Third Fridays at 5:30pm.

 

FAMILY GAME NIGHT FOR AGES 8 AND UP

Circle Leader: Glenn Harper
 

Tabletop games have become so much more than Clue or Uno. Modern board and card games can call for anything from strategy to creativity, quick-thinking, good bluffing skills or even just plain willingness to be silly! We will play a variety of games from Codenames and Apples to Apples to Telestrations and Ticket to Ride, or whatever else may be in your closet. We’ll meet once a month to try a new set of fun and exciting games! Circle meets on Wednesdays at 7:00pm.

 

FAMILY PIZZA CRAWL CIRCLE

Circle Leader: Rachel Hager
 

Come, bring the kids, and get to know other families in an informal and fun way. We’ll meet at the Temple grounds (inside or the ‘backyard’) to taste our way through local pizzerias. Many of us are busy with drop offs/pickups, and this is a great opportunity to pause and get to know some of the Sinai families. By the end of Circle cycle, hopefully we will have crowned a pizza winner and made new family friends. Circle meets on Sundays at 5:00pm

 

GIVE YOURSELF A BREAK

Circle Leader: Robin Himelstein
 

Calling Temple Sinai Religious School mothers! Socialize with other K-9 mothers and leave your kids at home. This will be a fun, easy way to get to know other parents in the Religious School. Circle meets on the Second Wednesday at 6:30pm.

 

GOY, SCHMOY! INTERFAITH COUPLES WHO SCHMOOZE, NOSH AND KIBBITZ!

Circle Leader: Lisa Silver
 

We’ve joined Temple Sinai and are part of this amazing Kehillah Kedoshah. We’re from different traditions and backgrounds but are living Jewishly. Now what? As interfaith couples, we’ll explore many themes and topics and share personal stories and experiences. We’ll talk about how we feel about raising kids who identify being Jewish, how we explain our choice of Jewish identity to our children when one of us is Jewish and one of us is not, how we create a sense of respect and love for all members of our family who are not Jewish, how we establish traditions and rituals in our homes, how we create a sense of community and so much more. We’ll socialize, snack and share stories — with no judgment. We will meet at Temple Sinai one Sunday a month (childcare can be arranged so you can fully participate while our kids have an outlet at Temple Sinai). Circle meets on Sundays at 9:30am.

 

LOCAL POLITICS

Circle Leaders: Randy Skigen and Eric Morson
sORRY, THIS CIRCLE IS FULLY BOOKED
 

We will meet monthly to discuss local politics. We’ll discuss our local government’s inner workings, invite local leaders to join us to talk about current political issues as well as the future of Stamford and the region. This circle will be co-led by Randy Skigen, a 22-year former member and President of the Board of Representatives, and Eric Morson, a current member and Deputy Majority Leader of the Board of Representatives.  Circle meets on Saturdays at 1:00pm.

 

MEDITATION

Circle Leaders: Ellen Luntz and Ronnie Lilien
 

We will learn different meditation techniques and enjoy the energy of practicing in a group. Join us as we explore guided meditation, mantras, breathing techniques, progressive relaxation, chanting, moving meditation and more. Learn more about mindfulness and equanimity. All levels of experience are encouraged to join. Circle meets on Saturdays at 10:15am.

 

MEN’S BOOK CLUB CIRCLE

Circle Leader: David Swerdloff
 

Looking to read books that are so engaging you can’t wait to discuss them with others? The Men’s Book Club Circle is designed to discover books that are suitable for conversation, learning and fostering deeper relationships with others who share the passion for reading and conversation. Discussions will reflect the Jewish “angle” or theme or other related aspect of the book that can be both fiction and non-fiction. Join us to make new friends and add a new dimension to your enjoyment of reading. Circle meets on the First Thursdays at 7:30pm.

 

POETIC LICENSE

Circle Leader: Cantor Micah Morgovsky
 

Join Cantor Micah as we delve deeper into the liturgy of Shabbat. We’ll begin each session with a contemplative niggun, we’ll read a close translation of the prayer, and explore various interpretations and creative reimaginings of each text. We’ll then set out, each one of us, to write our own poetic version of the prayer, making it our own and weaving our story with these ancient texts. Circle meets on Mondays at 6:00pm.

 

POST-CONFIRMATION CIRCLE For 11th and 12th graders

Circle Leader: Rabbi Jay TelRav; Thursday evenings from 5:30pm – 7:30pm
 

Our 11th and 12th graders have come a long way on their Jewish journeys, but the good stuff is just getting underway. This program provides these teens with the chance to learn with Rabbi Jay after Confirmation. Tackling the ethical conundra of life and the personal growth we work on, the teens will keep up their training to become valuable members of society thanks to their time at Temple Sinai.

Fee: $265

 

RECREATION/ACTIVITY CIRCLE

Circle Leader: Grant Silver 
 

If you like to participate in various games/activities. This will be a fun, social setting as we engage in different activities, including golf, pickleball, beer tasting, and dog walking among others! You don’t need to be an expert in any of these activities, as this Circle is about having fun and building fellowship. Circle meets on Fridays at 6:00pm.

 

SHABBAT DINNER CIRCLE

Circle Leaders: Connie Elkinson and Everett Shaw
sORRY, THIS CIRCLE IS FULLY BOOKED
 

Let’s grow together as we celebrate Shabbat with a meal and free flowing conversation. This circle will meet once a month at Temple Sinai on Friday night at 6:00pm, prior to those services beginning at 7:30pm. We hope that after dinner, we can attend services together.  Circle meets on the Second Friday at 6:00pm.

 

THE SONG CIRCLE

Circle Leader: Maggie Seligman
 

This Circle provides an opportunity for sharing music and/or poetry. Music might be played or sung solo, a cappella or with accompanying instrument, instrumental only, and/or participation of others. Poets are welcome to read. The emphasis in a song circle is on listening and appreciating what others have to offer in a warm, non-judgmental setting; it is not about “performance” but about creating a valuable shared experience. Circle meets on Fridays at 4:00pm.

 

tikkun olam
Circle Leader: Elisabeth Giles
 

The Tikkun Olam Circle is to create relationships while giving back to the larger community. Whether it is a beach cleanup, a trail cleanup, or putting together necessity bags for the shelters, this circle will be sure to fill your mitzvah needs! Come and spend a few hours once a month in service with new friends! All ideas are encouraged and welcomed. The first meeting will be held on Saturday, October 22 at 9:30am.

 

TRACING YOUR TRIBE- SEARCHING FOR YOUR ROOTS

Circle Leader: Nan Gordon
 

Members will come together to help each other discover our individual roots. Whether you are a novice or an expert, you can always uncover someone or something new! Let’s plan on sharing our greatest successes as well as tales of our strangest relatives and their stories. Let’s help those who haven’t started to begin their search. In addition, let’s help those who have hit the inevitable brick wall to move past it. We can share books, resources, ancestry sites, as well as organizational tools that some people may have developed. Whether you come from Jewish, Irish, Italian or some other stock, we will love hearing your discoveries! Circle meets on the Second Monday at 7:00pm.

 

WRITER’S, ANON!

Circle Leader: Katherine Magyarody
 

Have a half-finished novel manuscript in your drawer? Looking for time to write that memoir? Trying to find a space to think through a picture book you want to publish? Give yourself the time you need to tell that special story…and to support others as they share their creative voices. All genres are welcome – we have had memoir, fiction for adults and young people, humor, blog posts, and graphic novels! Circle meets on Tuesdays at 8:00pm.

 

YOGA!

Circle Leader: John Detienne
sORRY, THIS CIRCLE IS FULLY BOOKED
 

Our intention is to build a community within Temple Sinai around yoga. You can expect to explore various styles of yoga including: vinyasa, power, and restorative yoga, while maintaining proper alignment and deep (Ujjayi) breathing. Led by John Detienne, PT, DPT, RYT-200 who is a physical therapist and former professor of yoga at American University and George Washington University. Classes will be accessible for all ability levels. Circle meets on Sundays at 1:00pm.

 

YOUNG ADULT BOOKS FOR ADULTS

Circle Leader: Amy Lilien-Harper
 

Young Adult literature has experienced an incredible boom in the past 20 years. The best of it is incisive, thought-provoking and discussable. If you love reading YA literature and looking for an engaging exchange of ideas this is the Circle for you. The books will span a variety of genres and styles. Circle meets on the Second Thursday at 7:30pm.