Worship

Jewish tradition teaches us that the world is built on three things: Torah, Prayer (avodah), and Acts of Loving Kindness (g’milut chasadim). Through worship and prayer we connect with God and with all that is holy – both with the world and with each other. Providing for and sustaining meaningful communal worship is at the core of Temple Sinai.

Worship at Temple Sinai is not a somber affair. In fact, it is infused with joy, song and music. Our approach to Jewish prayer is neither distant nor complex. It is about joining together to retell our collective story and orient our hearts and minds on the highest goods that we can imagine.

Our liturgy is drawn from ancient and modern poets in both Hebrew and English, and our melodies that weave words into prayers, are drawn from an eclectic mix of contemporary, chassidic and ancient sources. From a wordless niggun, an accessible melody without words, to simple and sophisticated musical settings that speak directly to our hearts, our voices lift our spirits skyward. Above all, our worship invites each person to participate, reading in English or Hebrew, and certainly raising their voices in song and prayer.

Jewish tradition teaches us that the world is built on three things: Torah, Prayer (avodah), and Acts of Loving Kindness (g’milut chasadim). Through worship and prayer we connect with God and with all that is holy – both with the world and with each other. Providing for and sustaining meaningful communal worship is at the core of Temple Sinai.

Worship at Temple Sinai is not a somber affair. In fact, it is infused with joy, song and music. Our approach to Jewish prayer is neither distant nor complex. It is about joining together to retell our collective story and orient our hearts and minds on the highest goods that we can imagine.

Our liturgy is drawn from ancient and modern poets in both Hebrew and English, and our melodies that weave words into prayers, are drawn from an eclectic mix of contemporary, chassidic and ancient sources. From a wordless niggun, an accessible melody without words, to simple and sophisticated musical settings that speak directly to our hearts, our voices lift our spirits skyward. Above all, our worship invites each person to participate, reading in English or Hebrew, and certainly raising their voices in song and prayer.

Experience Shabbat

Shabbat is the centerpiece of the Jewish week. It celebrates both the creation of the world and the perfection of our lives through a more perfect redemption to come.

At Temple Sinai, our Shabbat is marked by joyous prayer on Friday evenings beginning with song and ending with sweets. And in between are the images and values that have maintained the Jewish People for millennia and sustain us to this very day. Once a month and whenever there is a Bar or Bat Mitzvah, we also hold services on Saturday morning when we read and study Torah from the original hand-written scroll and we bind ourselves to the generations of worshipers who have come before us.

Friday night services begin at 7:30 p.m. After services we gather together for an Oneg Shabbat reception and schmooze.

Music

Music plays a central role in the Jewish experience. It uplifts us and serves as a spiritual connection to the past and present. The inclusion of vocal and instrumental music in connection to prayer is neither a new phenomenon nor something unique to Reform Judaism. In fact, references to instrumental music can be found in the Tanach, Talmud and numerous Jewish writings throughout the ages.

Temple Sinai embraces music as an important aspect of our religious services. Each week, talented Jewish musicians accompany Rabbi David Lipper on the bemah, weaving traditional and contemporary melodies together to create a joyful and meaningful prayer experience.

Life Cycles

Each one of our lives are touched by moments of great joy and occasional sadness. These moments comprise our personal histories but are part of the cycle of life that encompasses us all.

Judaism, tradition and customs help define significant rites of passage. From the birth until the world to come, the Jewish experience guides us through the many stages of life. Both in joy and sadness, Jewish tradition is a rich resource that can make a difference in our lives.

At Temple Sinai, we join with you to amplify your moments of wonder and celebration, and we stand with you during those darker moments when a silent presences is comfort enough.

Temple Sinai is also the place where you can mark moments of personal or familial triumph; an anniversary, a significant birthday are all opportunities to share one’s joy together with your congregational family.

And when memory is in order, we will stand with you, keeping track of the dates of your loved ones and joining with you in the prayers of remembrance.

Let us know how we can help you through all of the moments of your life.