Blog

There is a story about three people working the same job, and someone approaches and asks each of them the question: "What are you doing?" “I’m making a living,” says one. “I’m dragging heavy stone,” says another. Finally, the third says, “I’m building a cathedral." It was only the third worker who grasped the ultimate human meaning of the task at hand. Often, we can find ourselves engaging in tasks, and yet forgetting the...Read more...

I am a lifelong Apple fanatic and have been a Mac user and early adopter since my first Mac Plus in 1988. When the iPhone, came on the scene, in order to educate consumers on its capabilities, there was a great ad campaign with the tagline, “There’s an app for that.” Think of anything you want your phone to do and there’s an app for it.

I am sure this campaign had its roots in Judaism (although Steve Jobs was a Buddhist)....Read more...

As you undoubtedly know by now, 2018 is a significant year for Temple Sinai as we continue celebrating our 50th anniversary. As we commemorate this moment in our congregation’s life, we take great pride and experience much joy as we reflect upon the many individuals who have offered their time and talents as members of our Temple Sinai staff family and as teachers of our students.

Both of these groups have contributed greatly...Read more...

Do not judge your fellow until you have reached his or her place
Al tadin et chaverach ad she tagia limkomo

Lately, I have been thinking about this quote from Pirkei Avot.

I lived most of my life naive to the circumstances of pregnant women. I knew that being pregnant was unique, and at times challenging, but I never really thought about what it entailed: the doctor appointments, the shopping, planning for childcare,...Read more...

I used to live in a community where rabbis were pretty vocal about their dislike and distrust of other clergy people in town. Perhaps it is because there was such competition between rabbis and synagogues that the animus was rarely hidden, or perhaps it was just the culture of the community to have deep divides.

The stories of communities where Reform synagogues are antagonistic toward each other dominate the landscape. How...Read more...

When I first entered college, it was to study jazz guitar. (There are not many women jazz guitarists out there, and my university was willing to put some chips down that I might be a decent one). I loved jazz-it was an amazing combination of the composer’s creation and a performer’s...Read more...

With Hamilton’s tour recently in Atlanta, my Facebook Newsfeed filled with dozens of people at the show. As a result, the Hamilton playlist has made it back to the top of my listening list.

As I drove up to Lake Lanier yesterday, on the 4th of July, the words from the...Read more...

My Dear Friends,

I cannot sugarcoat this message. I cannot frame it in any comfortable, easy way because I am uncomfortable, and I imagine many of you are as well. Less than 3 weeks ago I had the good fortune of co-leading a women’s trip to Israel with Rabbi Shabman. As we...Read more...

I sit here in Atlanta with my bags, well, not-yet-packed for a return visit to Camp Barney and a return week at Camp Coleman this upcoming Sunday…and I could not be more excited. There is something very special about the camp community.  Nowhere else is there amassed such talent and skill in one place, all with one common purpose: to create positive Jewish memories.  They sing, they dance, they tell stories, perform skits, and...Read more...

This week, I reflect upon risks big and small that we can take.  Is it that big and adventurous trip that you have been mulling over? Or that bold comment you have been aching to say? Or that new job? Or move? Sometimes taking a risk means simply being ourselves, and speaking our...Read more...

Temple Sinai women are in Israel with Rabbi Sam Shabman and Beth Schafer.  Follow their experience on this blog and our Facebook Page here.

Click Here to see pictures from the trip.  

Monday, June 11 & Tuesday, June 12

The final part of our journey in Israel began with our arrival in Tel Aviv as the sun was beginning to set over the Mediterranean. After our hotel check-in, we walked...Read more...

They say that childhood is experiential. You can talk and talk and talk to a child trying to teach her something, but until she has the experience herself, she really doesn't internalize the learning.

As adults, we see a movie, read an...Read more...

Last month I had the privilege of traveling with World Pilgrims (part of Atlanta’s Interfaith Coalition Initiative) to Sedona and Canyon De Chelly, Navajo Nation. For a week I experienced the grandeur of the southwest alongside my brothers and sisters of Christian and...Read more...

May God bless you and keep you

May God cause the divine light to shine upon you and be gracious to you

May God turn toward you and grant you peace

(Numbers 6: 24-26).

We read the above blessing (commonly known as the Priestly Benediction) in this...Read more...

49 times in our congregation’s history we have gathered to discuss the business of Temple Sinai with the community as a whole. These meetings have been at times controversial – the meeting to approve the lot on Dupree Drive as our future home, the meeting...Read more...

“Rabbi, I may not be a very religious person, but I am quite spiritual.” 

Had I put a dollar in a tzedakah box every time someone said a version of these words to me over the...Read more...

The saying: “Know Before Whom You Stand,” is a Jewish maxim that often appears above the Ark in synagogue sanctuaries. It is based on a phrase found in the Babylonian Talmud (Berakhot 28a) reminding us of the significance and the power of that place in which we find ourselves praying...Read more...