Sisterhood
Sisterhood plays an essential role in making Temple Sinai a warm and welcoming community. Throughout the year, this group works hard to create opportunities for women of all ages to connect spiritually, socially and charitably while passing down our traditions l'dor v'dor (from generation to generation). Sisterhood works together and contributes to the temple, Early Childhood Center, Religious School, Brotherhood, Renaissance, Youth Group, our clergy, our community and to Israel.
Please join Sisterhood! There is a calendar full of programs throughout the year celebrating holidays, gathering together for social action programs, fundraising events, community outreach and more. In addition there are pop up programs corresponding with current events. Stay tuned via the temple website, Facebook and other venues of communication for constant updates. Please remember to join Sisterhood in order to be informed of the myriad events of Sisterhood that attract our entire temple membership!
HOLIDAY CELEBRATIONS
Sisterhood helps make holiday celebrations even more exciting at Temple Sinai. Some of the holiday events in which Sisterhood participates include:
- Rosh Hashana eve Oneg
- Yom Kippur Break-the-Fast
- High Holiday and Passover Flower Sale
- Sukkah Celebration – a Community Service Event
- Woman’s Seder
- Sisterhood - led Shabbat Service
- Sisterhood sponsored musical Shabbat with Cantor Nitza
- Purim Shalach Manot bags and Purim Oneg
SOCIAL PROGRAMMING
In November, Sisterhood holds the annual Sisterhood Membership Brunch with a theme or a guest speaker; the programming year culminates with the festive Spring Event installing new officers and enjoying a recap of the year.
Four times a year Sisterhood meets for a Book Group with a Sisterhood member moderating and members discussing wonderful and engaging books. At the end of the programming year, there is a community-wide book discussion to engage temple members in a book and a related topic.
FUNDRAISING
The largest fundraiser of the year revolves around the holiday of Purim when Sisterhood delivers a Shalach Manot package to every temple family, ECC family and teacher, Religious School teacher, all temple staff and clergy as well as the temple custodial staff. Included in the festivities, the Religious School students pack Hamentashen, dozens of Sisterhood members pack hundreds of bags and scores of people deliver the bags. In addition, 50 bags are distributed to Meals on Wheels at Jewish Family & Children’s Services. Money is also raised and donated to IDF soldiers serving in Israel. This project alone includes dozens of members and brings joy to hundreds of people!
SOCIAL ACTION/COMMUNITY SERVICE/ TIKKUN OLAM
Each year dozens of volunteers cook for the Walk-In Dinner Program - Family Promise of Bergen County. Each year Sisterhood members serve dinner at the homeless shelter, always bringing a smile to those receiving a warm and very delicious dinner cooked by temple members.
SOCIAL EVENTS AND PROGRAMMING NOTES
- General meetings are held throughout the year to keep members informed
- Sisterhood provides the funding to the Religious School in order for every student celebrating a B’nei Mitzvah, Consecration, Confirmation and Graduation to receive a gift
- Sisterhood delivers goody packages for the “Challah Blitz” at the High Holidays, sending good wishes to new temple members
- Sisterhood sponsors a Shabbat musical program with Cantor Nitza, bringing another reason for members to enjoy a Shabbat together
- Sisterhood sells Mitzvahgrams to members to help commemorate and celebrate milestones. Contribute to the program and send your loved ones a message of Mazel Tov!
- Members’ college students receive a gift from Sisterhood at Chanukah during December finals. It’s always nice to hear from Temple Sinai and to get something special in the mail
- Sisterhood is a co-sponsor of Sinai Sessions, the unique yearly event where Temple Sinai’s own band (and guest members) sing and rock all night long
- Sisterhood wraps gifts at Barnes & Noble during the December holidays
- Sisterhood participates in the temple Menorah lighting with Sisterhood’s own designated night of lighting the beautiful menorah outside the temple
- Sisterhood holds a Cooking Event at a member’s home with a professional chef demonstrating cooking techniques; members enjoy the creations
- The Annual Bake Sale / Smoothie Yummie Event gives Religious School students a treat from Sisterhood once a year during Sunday classes
- The Sisterhood Gift Shop sells wonderful Judaica at excellent prices. Look for the gift shop outside the main office of the temple
- Sisterhood pays for babysitting services during the High Holiday services enabling parents of young children to worship
VOLUNTEERISM AND PARTICIPATION
At the heart of Sisterhood lies a deep commitment from the women of Temple Sinai who participate with their time, talents and energy to make all of our events and programs happen. Sisterhood works hand-in-hand with organizations within the temple: Brotherhood, Renaissance, Youth Group, the Religious School and the Early Childhood Center to contribute to our Temple and to our community. Sisterhood plans, programs and partners with National Council of Jewish Women (Bergen County Section), Jewish Federation of Northern New Jersey, Federation’s Women’s Philanthropy, Jewish Family and Children’s Services and The Community Chest of eastern Bergen County, all close by and serving the people in our community.
Please join Sisterhood; make new friends, and help Sisterhood build an ever-stronger community. Get involved in by joining a committee or serving on the General or Executive Board.
All Temple families are encouraged to pay annual Sisterhood dues and additional donations are always appreciated. Other fundraising efforts take place throughout the year and Sisterhood is extremely grateful to all who participate.
Keep up to date on our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/sisterhoodtemplesinai/
