Who loves her/his synagogue and why?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Isn't Sinai in transition? Long term Rabbi is semi-retired. Transitions are a rough time to join a congregation. You don't know what it is going to look like when its done.

The new head rabbi has been there for over a year and a half now. He hasn't implemented huge changes and seems to fit right in with what the congregation wants. Many of us are counting the minutes until a senior woman rabbi there retires. She is a nightmare.

Rabbi Oleon is a real treasure. She did my son's bar mitzvah and was wonderful. I was so pleased to hear she was buying a condo because everyone really wants her to stay.

I don't know anything about the other new rabbi they've hired.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What do people think of Temple Sinai? I know they have a great nursery school but it doesn't work for working parents. I went to a tot Shabbat but it wasn't very friendly.

The nursery school is exactly what it says it is -- a nursery school. It isn't a preschool, it doesn't offer after care. It just provides a wonderful, warm environment for kids. It isn't something that works for most working parents. If that isn't your situation, it is great.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What do people think of Temple Sinai? I know they have a great nursery school but it doesn't work for working parents. I went to a tot Shabbat but it wasn't very friendly.

The nursery school is exactly what it says it is -- a nursery school. It isn't a preschool, it doesn't offer after care. It just provides a wonderful, warm environment for kids. It isn't something that works for most working parents. If that isn't your situation, it is great.

Sure, but my point was when someone asks about Sinai, there is usually a response about the preschool. I'm interested in joining this synagogue (in my neighborhood) but was curious about how it is for families who don't do the preschool. My experience at the tot Shabbat was that most people already seemed to know each other already and wasn't super friendly.

[Anonymous]

We did preschool at another temple but joined Sinai. We don't know a ton of people there but have found folks reasonably friendly.

Rabbi Roos is excellent. I am a complete atheist but find his sermons meaningful.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What do people think of Temple Sinai? I know they have a great nursery school but it doesn't work for working parents. I went to a tot Shabbat but it wasn't very friendly.

The nursery school is exactly what it says it is -- a nursery school. It isn't a preschool, it doesn't offer after care. It just provides a wonderful, warm environment for kids. It isn't something that works for most working parents. If that isn't your situation, it is great.

Sure, but my point was when someone asks about Sinai, there is usually a response about the preschool. I'm interested in joining this synagogue (in my neighborhood) but was curious about how it is for families who don't do the preschool. My experience at the tot Shabbat was that most people already seemed to know each other already and wasn't super friendly.

Plenty of families haven't done the nursery school. And there are many families (Jewish and not) who who do the nursery school. We met a lot of people through the nursery school, but I'm sure we would have been fine without it.

I hear what you are saying about Tot Shabbat. It is a big temple and not everyone knows each other. I've gone to tot Shabbats (I'm sure that isn't the plural) where we knew no one. I am not the most outgoing person around, but we just plunked ourselves down and started talking to people. If nothing else, sit down at the rabbi's table; they'll talk.

Good luck.

[Anonymous]

10:38 again. The longer we've been at the temple, the more people we've found we know from outside the temple who do belong to the temple.

Fitting in at a large temple does take a bit of work, but we've been happy with it.

[Anonymous]

Does anyone go to Beth Ami in Rockville? We just moved very close to there and it would be ideal location-wise, but it seems HUGE compared to what I'm used to.

[Anonymous]

I love, love, love Temple Micah on Wisconsin Ave. The rabbis are both great. The place is very warm, welcoming with a very down to earth vibe. It bends over backwards to be very inclusive of interfaith families, interracial families, gay families, etc. It also has made a big effort to get 20's and 30's to join and participate. Big bonus: There is no set dues amount. There is a suggested amount based on income but you tell them what you will pay, they ask that 1/3 of that is paid by the High Holidays and then they send bills throughout the rest of the year. TM is reform.

[Anonymous]

<< Many of us are counting the minutes until a senior woman rabbi there retires. She is a nightmare. >>

why?

[Anonymous]

Let's start with the most obvious question: Where do you live. OP?

[Anonymous]

I love Temple Rodef Shalom, and I'm not even Jewish! Very welcoming, very modern.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What do people think of Temple Sinai? I know they have a great nursery school but it doesn't work for working parents. I went to a tot Shabbat but it wasn't very friendly.

I am sad that you found Tot Shabbat unfriendly at ntemple Sinai. I attend with my family. The rabbis are great and Robyn the cantoral soloist is very engaging with her guitar. I 100% agree that the nursery school is difficult for working parents. The working parents who have their children at the school have nannies. My kids are not in the nursery school but they still enjoy the Tot Shabbat. I like staying afterwards for the meal. They have high school kids running an activity for the kids and I enjoy sitting and talking with the other parents. If you had sat at my table I would definitely have been friendly!

I think sometimes it can be hard to break in to a new community, but we are a welcoming group. Your kids do not have to be in the nursery school to feel included in the service. I highly recommend coming again and coming to the dinner. You can sign up in advance online or just sign in at the door $10 per adult and kids 3 and under eat for free.

[Anonymous]

Sorry I am 12:29 again. Why the dislike for Rabbi Portnoy? She was the reason we joined Sinai in the first place back when we didn't have kids. I love all the clergy past and present. Even Rabbi Roos' wife- Elizabeth is great. And their kids! I just love the whole community. I am friends with members of all ages and social groups. I really value having Temple Sinai in my life.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Sorry I am 12:29 again. Why the dislike for Rabbi Portnoy? She was the reason we joined Sinai in the first place back when we didn't have kids. I love all the clergy past and present. Even Rabbi Roos' wife- Elizabeth is great. And their kids! I just love the whole community. I am friends with members of all ages and social groups. I really value having Temple Sinai in my life.

She did the ultimate bad clergy thing. She repeated something I told her in confidence. Not only did she repeat it, she did it in a Reply All email that included me.

I have found her unwelcoming to interfaith couples. She is really promoting that the non-Jewish partner do things in a more Jewish way. Passover 101, anyone? Her idea of interfaith couples does not include the non Jewish person. Yes, I recognize that she is Jewish and promoting Judaism is her job. The inter part of interfaith couples is just not on not on her radar. I don't find her funny, although many people do. I've spent hours talking to her about a project I was working on for the temple. She still introduces herself to me every time she sees me. She acts like she's never seen me before. The other clergy don't do that at all.

She was scheduled to do my son's bar mitzvah. I told the office that would not work. Rabbi Olean did it and it was wonderful.

I really like Jonathon and Jessica and Laura and Robyn. I thought Fred was great too.

[Anonymous]

Another view on Temple Sinai from a nursery school mom who is not part of the congregation (but thinking about it). I love the NS and it is very much a community, but for that reason I'm not surprised that Tot Shabbat, which welcomes all NS families, synagogue members or not, felt a little clubby. That said, every time I go to any broader temple function, I find them incredibly welcoming. I have gotten to know the clergy a little bit through the NS and Rabbi Roos is wonderful. The thing that has kept me from joining is exactly what you are looking for - I feel like to join is to make a real commitment to the community and I'm not ready to do that. I have been really impressed by how much of a community it really is - all the events they hold, the way they keep their members close, etc (NS families get the newsletter so I see a lot of it).