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Education at Sinai
Temple Sinai is a community of learners where people of all ages are engaged in the excitement and sanctity of study. Whether you are just beginning your Jewish education or are a seasoned scholar, you will find a wealth of possibility.  At Temple Sinai, we celebrate lifelong Jewish learning with an appreciation for the history, culture and values of Judaism.  Our vision is that everyone will find an open door to learning, enriching their understanding of Judaism and how to live a Jewish life.
 
In the year 2007-2008/5768, we are offering many wonderful programs for children, families and adults. Our biggest Temple wide program is Mitzvah Day which will be held on Sunday April 6, 2008. Temple Sinai is strongly committed to social action causes and supporting our local community.  Mitzvah Day brings together children, teens, and adults for the purpose of performing the mitzvah of Tikkun Olam, repairing the world. Adults are welcome to be a part of the Mitzvah Day Task Force as we plan for this important community event. 
 
This year an important theme will be the Land of Israel, as Eretz Yisrael turns sixty years of age. To deepen our understanding about the land and people of Israel, and to celebrate its 60th year on Israel Independence Day/Yom Ha'atzmaut, we have planned several workshops for students in Kindergarten through Grade Seven. Our focus will be Zionism, with a special emphasis on Theodor Herzl and other pioneers whose vision of the land helped to make Israel what it is today. We will also immerse ourselves in Hebrew vocabulary, sample Israeli food, and take a pretend visit to famous places such as Jerusalem/Yerushalyim and Haifa, Boston's sister city. Our yearlong study of Israel will culminate in a Yom Ha'atzmaut Celebration on Sunday, May 11.
 
This year we have expanded our partnership with the Israel Complementary School, whose students are native Hebrew speakers and who share space at Temple Sinai.  Together our religious school and ICS will visit local nursing homes that care for Jewish residents.  Together we will conduct Jewish holiday programs that emphasize tradition and continuity and, of course, fun.  The Mitzvah B'Tzavtah Program, doing mitzvot together, is a fine example of young people interacting and performing mitzvot in our community. These programs will take place on Sunday mornings.
 
A foundation of Jewish Life Education is conducting family programs for parents in the religious school. Some of the programs this year will include a challah cover making workshop as well as "Message of the Prophets" with Rabbi Vogel and Amy Salinger, Jewish Life Educator. We will also have our annual Tu B'Shevat Seder for second grade families, and "Jerusalem Day" for K-1 families.  In addition, there are Havurah Shabbat dinners, which are hosted by religious school families throughout the year and family Shabbat dinners at Temple Sinai.
 
We always look forward to seasonal favorites such as the Chanukah Bookfair and the Purim shpiel. The Chanukah Bookfair offers a range of books and Judaic gifts for children, teenagers and adults. The bookfair is held held on two consecutive Sundays in December around the time of Chanukah.  The popular Purim shpiel  invites adults to participate in the merriment, regardless of acting experience. The Purim shpiel is performed on a Saturday night close to Purim and performed again the following Sunday morning for the religious school.  Rehearsals for the shpiel begin in January and are overseen by directors Ellen Bruder-Moore and Barry Hayes. 
 
Our adult learning programs include classes on Judaism and the Environment, Dreams and the Jews, an adult B'nei Mitzvah class and most recently, a  scholar-in-residence program with Dr. Arthur Green.  During the year, Rabbi Vogel also provides numerous learning opportunities for adults, including a Thursday morning study group where participants will explore a variety of topics, such as classic Jewish texts, Israeli poetry, modern Jewish theology, political issues, history and more. We also offer a downtown lunchtime study held once a month.  Shabbat morning Torah study takes place twice a month.
 
So come learn and grow with us at Temple Sinai! We welcome your participation.
 
Amy Salinger, Jewish Life Educator
amysalinger29@yahoo.com