Ayleh Ha-D’varim

Rabbi Steinberg

Yet One More “Last”
For Your Consideration:
February 4, 2012

During the course of this current year, Sinai already has and soon will be observing many final occasions of our 59 year old history. One such memorable event will be our last Annual Congregational Auction, our 36th celebration of this unique fundraising program. The past 18 have had special themes for our enjoyment. From 1994 through 2011, they have been: A Jungle Jumble, Come To The Circus, Under The Sea, The Orient, New York-New York, Alice In Wonderland, Carnivale!, A 2001 Auction Odyssey, Tropic of Sinai, The Wild West, Shanghai Moon, Down Mexico Way, A Night In Venice, Pirates Of The Caribbean, Song Of India, Winter Wonderland, Temple Sinai Goes To The Movies, and The Garden of Eden. How many do you remember?

This year our Auction Chairman, the indefatigable Ted Bonk, has chosen the theme: Temple Sinai Goes To Italy. It promises to be the best auction ever but, as always, we need your help. Please do your best to arrange for gift certificates, ads, quality items, services, and ticket support. As notices arrive in your mailbox and computer for physical aid, we need your positive response and your presence.

Shalom,
Rabbi Steinberg

President’s Perspective

Dear Congregants:

It is December and many of us are fully engaged in planning a new and renewed life for Temple Sinai in 2012. You can start by making a reservation for Chanukah Dinner at Ohef Sholom. Plan to enjoy yourself, sit with old friends, meet some new people, and help make this a success. We cannot let our emotions interfere with our reality. Our Garage Sale Gala was a financial success but was clearly more work than ever with fewer helping hands. The burden of unpacking, sorting, pricing, and selling it all, fell upon the reliable, no-excuses people that always carried the event and of course the unstoppable Ted Bonk. Many of the “regulars” were hurting, aging, or gone. Many of us had reasonable excuses for not working as hard as we had in the past, which made it harder on the rest and all the more obvious that it was “time”. We have the Auction coming up February 4th, and again more work to do in preparation. I ask you to please support the Auction with your energy, dollars, and influence. Get Ads. Get Gift Certificates. Do whatever you can to make this a success. Check out Ohef Sholom’s “AS THE TEMPLE TURNS”. You will find an amazing calendar of events and I assure you that they are anxious to do whatever it takes to make us feel welcome. I wish you all a “Happy New Year”, and a safe and healthy one. Bonnie Kerner, President

Temple Sinai Goes to Italy

Annual Auction Fundraiser

February 4, 2012

Save the Date

President Perspectives

Dear Congregants:

On September 18, our congregation voted overwhelmingly to approve the merger of Temple Sinai with Ohef Sholom Temple.

This year our Rosh Hashana  and Yom Kippur services provided opportunities to reflect on the very beautiful sanctuary we have enjoyed for many years, the many wise and wonderful sermons delivered by Rabbi Steinberg, and the physical and financial teamwork that was necessary in order to create and sustain Temple Sinai through the past five decades.

In this “New Year” let us honor Temple Sinai by coming together to celebrate the wonderful years we have had as a family and to prepare to make the Sinai Chapel at Ohef Sholom our new home.

Rabbi Steinberg will continue to provide Shabbat services and inspiring sermons on his regular schedule, and we will also have an opportunity to get to know Rabbi Roz Mandelberg and benefit from two dynamic leaders.

We will all begin receiving Ohef Sholom’s newsletter shortly. I encourage you to take advantage of the many opportunities for our congregants to participate in their activities and to worship together prior to living together.

Beginning in December, we will arrange to attend one Friday night service per month at Ohef Sholom. On that night there will not be services at Temple Sinai. Please look for the schedule provided by our Religious Services Chair Bert Newfield in this issue of Scribe.

Your Board of Directors and the Planning Committees are addressing the many important issues involved in executing this move gracefully.

Please support our upcoming Garage Sale Gala Weekend, November 19th & 20th, and the Auction on February 4th. Help is needed in preparing for both events.

It is up to each of us to move forward with a positive attitude and to take advantage of being part of a historic and progressive Reform Congregation.

L’Shana Tova,

Bonnie Kerner, President

A Service of Thanksgiving and Gratitude

 Sunday, November 20, 2011

The Churchland Interfaith Council announces that its Thanksgiving Interfaith Services will be held on Sunday, November 20 at 7pm at Centenary United Methodist Church, 3312 Cedar Lane, Portsmouth. Non-perishable food items and monetary contributions will be collected to benefit Oasis.