Adult Clubs And Committees
There are so many ways to get involved at Temple Sinai! No matter where your interests and talents lie, there is a group that's just right for you.
Simply click on the name of the committee or club below for more information.
Administration Committee
The Administration Committee acts as the liaison between the Temple Board of Trustees and the administrative staff. Its purpose is to offer the administrative team counsel and evaluation when needed, and to be supportive of the operational needs of both the Executive Director and temple office personnel. This is to be accomplished with a keen sense of fiscal responsibility to the Board.
Adult Engagement
This Committee's mission is to enhance the Congregation's knowledge and understanding of all aspects of the Jewish experience. In cooperation with the Senior Rabbi, the Committee researches, develops, and implements relevant programming and events.
The Committee's specialized tasks are:
- To research and explore program possibilities and potential topics of interest
- To develop relevant, varied and informative programming
- To publicize programs and events (e.g. press, posters, mailings)
- To implement all logistical aspects of the programming (e.g. meals, reservations, etc.)
VIEW THIS YEAR'S ADULT ENGAGEMENT BROCHURE
Back to topview our adult education brochure
Brotherhood
Brotherhood works with every arm of Temple Sinai in order to reach the entire congregation - men, women, teens, and children - engaging them in a variety of programs and activities all year long. Where appropriate, Brotherhood works with local community groups and other temple committees for the benefit of both our congregants and the broader community to achieve these goals:
- Promote Brotherhood within the temple and help provide service and programs to the entire congregation and to the community.
- Promote fellowship by helping to create a warm, caring men's community.
- Promote the importance of family togetherness through activities that encourage family participation.
- Stimulate interest in Jewish worship, Jewish studies, and social service to the community.
- Increase the Jewish spirit in the children and younger members of the congregation by providing programs that stimulate their interests in Judaism.
- Support and promote the ideals and projects of The Men of Reform Judaism and The Jewish Chautauqua Society.
Building, Grounds & House Committee
The mission of Temple Sinai's Building, Grounds and House Committee is to:
- Oversee and maintain the building and grounds of the temple
- Oversee new construction
- Formulate all of the rules governing the use of the building and grounds
- Supervise implementation of same
Caring Committee
The purpose of the Caring Committee is to create a community within Temple Sinai in which congregants reach out to those who are experiencing loss, grief, and life cycle crises as well as in special times of celebration. Through the efforts of the Committee, interlocking support networks are created for the members of Temple Sinai.
The goal of this committee is to work closely with the clergy and other temple committees to:
- Provide assistance during and after Shiva
- Visit the sick
- Support outreach
- Extend invitations to those who are not near loved ones
- Offer assistance during emergencies
Cemetery Committee
This Committee, in conjunction with the Executive Director, oversees the temple's cemetery plots at the New Montefiore Cemetery located in Farmingdale, New York. Its specialized tasks include:
- Making periodic visits to the cemetery
- Inspecting the upkeep of the property
- Making recommendations, when necessary, for the expenditure of funds to ensure that these grounds are kept in the appropriate and sacred condition
- Promoting the sale of available plots to the members of the congregation and their families
Chai Society
The Chai Society's mission is to serve the members of the temple, to further the Jewish education of its members, and to have fun, with several social events planned throughout the year. The Society's energies are directed toward improving temple life, and its service spans multiple arms of the temple.
Choir and Music Committee
This Committee, in cooperation with the Cantors, assists in the development, enrichment, and maintenance of musical activities of the Temple.
Specialized Tasks:
- To assist, as required, in the supervision and coordination of choir activities (volunteer and professional)
- To plan and execute music festivals and concerts
- To oversee the coordination of the music library projects
Choir:
- Junior Choir is open to students in grades 3-6
- Teen Choir is open to students in grades 7-12
- Senior Choir is open to all members of Temple Sinai
Early Childhood Center Committee
The mission of the Temple Sinai Early Childhood Center is to provide a multi-faceted early childhood experience within a Jewish framework, which facilitates the cultivation of a knowledge and joy of Jewish traditions and Jewish life and the development of lifelong Jewish values. Through an integrated program model, which involves both children and their parents, the ECC experience provides a caring and nurturing environment within which children can grow intellectually, socially, and emotionally, in addition to cultivating a strong Jewish identity and connection to our temple family.
Friend of a Friend/Chaverot
A dynamic inter-generational group of women, the mission of Friend of a Frienc/Chaverot is to provide a social outreach program which will enhance members' connection to the temple and to Judaism. In hopes of enriching their members, their community and their Temple family, the goal of FOF is to offer programs that provide spiritual and intellectual fulfillment.
VIEW OUR FRIEND OF A FRIEND/CHAVEROT BROCHURE
Fundraising Committee
The purpose of the Fundraising Committee is to generate financial support for the operating budget of the temple. Annual fundraising goals are established each year during the budget process. Recent events to achieve the mission have included dinners, journals, galas, and auctions.
Interfaith Outreach Committee
The Interfaith Outreach Committee works to ensure that interfaith families and individuals in interfaith relationships are comfortable in our community by creating opportunities for exploring sensitive decision-making issues, insuring the continued sensitivity of our school faculties and administrative staff, and raising awareness in our congregation to the unique challenges and circumstances faced by interfaith families and their children. We encourage interfaith participation in all aspects of temple life.
Israel Committee/Liasion with Jewish Organizations
The function of this committee is to support Israel and those individual Jewish organizations that directly impact upon our temple, Reform Judaism and the Jewish population. We specifically fund raise for the Association of Reform Zionists of America (ARZA) and World Union for Progressive Judaism (WUPJ).
Marketing, Public Relations, & Website Committees
The mission of these three intertwined committees is to inform the congregation and the local community about Temple Sinai's offerings including religious services, Nursery and Religious Schools, programs, activities, and special events across various media including, but not limited to, newspapers and magazines, collateral materials, press releases, social media platforms, and the temple website.
Membership Committee
The purpose of the Membership Committee is to engage all Temple members by providing opportunities to participate in activities that meet their spiritual, social, and educational needs. Committee members maintain contact with new and existing members, introduce them to the clergy and the lay leaders, familiarize them with all aspects of the congregational life and ensure that they are made to feel welcome in an effort to promote an awareness of the many ways in which the Temple can enrich their lives.
Religious Affairs Committee
The primary concern of the Religious Affairs Committee is the character of religious life within the Temple Sinai.
The goals of the committee are:
- The study of Judaic teachings and their relationship to current religious practices
- To work in close partnership with the clergy and offer lay support for religious activities
- To act as a sounding board to relay information to the clergy regarding religious observance
- To make recommendations for changes in policy and practices
Religious School Committee
It is the mission of the Religious School Committee of Temple Sinai to:
- Provide a forum for the development of an excellent educational program which links our children to their Jewish heritage, and fosters in our children a life-long commitment to Jewish values and continued learning;
- Encourage on-going review and innovation so that our programs continue to provide a dynamic, integrated educational, spiritual, and social experience;
- Oversee the development and implementation of safety rules
- Communicate with the Board of Trustees, clergy, professional and administrative staff, and congregational family regarding our programs and values for providing a Jewish education for our children.
Sinai Advocates For Justice
Injustice has severe consequences, justice has significant rewards.
At Temple Sinai, we often reach beyond ourselves and our families, to promote and ensure the deep Jewish values of truth, human dignity and justice. In addition to the impactful work of our Social Action Committee, which engages in acts of Tikkun Olam (repairing our broken world) though direct service, we are also proud of Sinai Advocates for Justice, aka SAJ (pronounced “sage”), which is focused on root causes of injustice and advocacy.
SAJ follows in the long tradition of the Reform movement’s commitment to social justice. Indeed, the Civil Right of Act 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965 were drafted in a conference room in a building housing the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism, in Washington DC. For more than 20 years Sinai teen have attended RAC seminar to advocate for social justice. In recent years, Temple Sinai has also partnered with the RAC on the state level, helping to amplify the voice of the Reform movement in Albany. Sinai Advocates for Justice is both a title and a rallying cry. We hope that by advocating for our rights as well as the rights of others, we can continue our pursuit of justice and our shared commitment to Tikkun Olam.
There is a proverb which teaches, If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together. We want to go far and we can’t do it without your help. If you feel called to help, for any amount of time and any level of involvement, let us know. We look forward to working together.
Sinai Circle
Sinai Circle was created out of a desire to connect with each other, especially during our children’s school years. In such busy times, when our free time is short, making new friends and connecting with others often falls off our to-do lists. Through Sinai Circle, the Religious School and Teen Program parents connect with each other through fun social activities and cultural events out in the community. Wonderful bonds of friendship form, as we share the joys and challenges of being parents. In true Temple Sinai style, relationships that begin inside the Temple then continue outside are often among our most meaningful.
Sinai in the City (SITC)
Sinai in the City (SITC) is Temple Sinai's young adults program that provides social and religious programming for individuals in their 20s and 30s. Founded in 2009, the group hosts its events in New York City, and since its inception, all of the group's events have been free to members.
Sinai Reads
Sinai Reads is a friendly, congregant-led book discussion group. The group meets several times throughout the year – sometimes at the Temple and sometimes offsite – to discuss both works of fiction and non-fiction that have been selected by the group. It is free of charge and all Temple Sinai members are welcome to attend.
Sinai Stitches
Come knit and crochet hats and blankets for premature babies, teddy bears for their siblings, and lap blankets for seniors in our area. Of course, we chat, laugh, and snack together as well. If you are a beginner, please contact Michelle Golden to be paired with a mentor.
Social Action Committee
Jewish tradition teaches us that we are partners with God in Tikkun Olam, repairing the world. The Social Action Committee shares opportunities with our Temple Sinai community where we partner together to help others. We are currently involved in many exciting projects, such as; Gleanings, A Walk for Remembrance, TANS Coat Drive, and a Religious School-wide drive to collect art supplies for Sunrise on Wheels, which benefits children in local hospitals waiting for treatment. There are always new and exciting programs taking place. Please check the Scribe and This Week emails for more information.
Todah Rabah Committee
Appreciation and gratitude are words we often hear. At Temple Sinai, we live by those words. We have many congregants who are devoted participants in temple life, and the Todah Rabah Committee is proud to honor them through articles in The Scribe and through our Todah Rabah Shabbat dinner and service every June.
Youth Engagement Committee
The mission of the Youth Engagement Committee is to advise and support the Youth Engagement Director in creating innovative and interactive programming that offers a wide array of choices for youth and teens. We help to ensure the programs are focused on exposing the participants to Jewish values and customs, while engaging them in ways that are both interactive and social. We encourage on-going review and innovation so that our programs continue to provide a dynamic, educational, spiritual and social experience.
