When Rabbi Greene asked me to reflect on the significance to me of the Shofar Service, two somewhat irreverent thoughts from my childhood immediately came to mind: the first recalled our experience following the Yom Kippur children's services. The alderman of the fifth ward rented The Harper Theatre and all the Jewish children in Hyde Park, of which there was a great number in those days, were treated to a double feature and many cartoons to occupy us while our parents observed the holiday. we were also each given a sack of candy including Milk Duds. This obviously left an impression on me.  The second memory was more specific to Sinai. Although I had started Religious School in the last Kindergarten class to start in the Grand Boulevard (now Kind Drive) building and continued through Confirmation, I never heard a Shofar blown at Sinai until long after I was married....

Rabbi Greene asked me to share some memories of mine with you of what the Shofar has meant to me over the years, both in Grand Rapids, where I grew up, and where Barb and I married, and lived for 45 years, and started our dear family, and then came here and our dear Chicago Sinai Congregation, which became our second home, and our two dear Rabbis, Rabbi Greene and Rabbi Bennof.  The Shofar reminds me of eloquent remarks by Elie Wiesel. My hero. Many reflect about this pivotal icon because of his catastrophic experiences in Auschwitz with his dad. Importantly, we have also become aware of Elie Wiesel’s later lifetime eloquent remarks, reminders to us of a profound lesson from that ill-fated cataclysm, that is, not to stand by when we are aware of tragedies and bad things occurring in front of our eyes.  Not to be indifferent to...

When Rabbi Greene asked me to give my reflections on holiness, I thought Holy Cow.  And as I have taken a close and personal reading of the parashat, I started with the definition of holiness which means to “set apart”.  Because we are the Jewish people, we are set apart by God and reminded that we are supposed to mimic God in holiness.  But as a Jew, I have questions.  Are we inherently holy or do we earn our holiness through our deeds and actions every day?  How often should holiness present itself because there is no realm of the holy without the common or routine?  And when we are engaged in holy acts, are they even righteous enough? I certainly have not achieved absolute moral perfection as governed by the holiness code.  I usually falter on the gossip piece, not the murder one, in case you were wondering. But...

In ancient times, the sound of the shofar was a powerful call  for our people to gather at the Temple for significant events  and religious ceremonies. Its resonant tones signaled us to  assemble, particularly during festivals and special occasions.  Today, much like then, we come together as a community.  This unity not only feels uplifting but also strengthens us and  builds hope for the future.  Reflecting on the enduring strength and unity of our  community through the ages is especially impactful during the  High Holidays. This sacred time prompts many of us to  contemplate our connections to faith, family, and community.  Such introspection inspires us to plan and work towards  making things better, both individually and collectively.  Being part of a community involves a profound sense of  belonging—a powerful feeling that comes from being part of  something greater than ourselves. It offers social interactions,  which are among the greatest sources...

Greetings Sinai Family, I’m thrilled to announce that Rabbi Rebecca Benoff will be our next Assistant Rabbi at Sinai, beginning on July 1. She will share rabbinic duties with Interim Rabbi, Michael Weinberg and Associate Rabbi, Amanda Greene. Here is what Rabbi Benoff said in a recent email to us: “I am so excited and honored to be joining the Sinai Community. I was inspired by the way the Congregation has such a rich history and is also looking towards the future. Everyone I spoke to during the interview process was so warm and welcoming and I cannot wait to call Sinai and Chicago home!” Rabbi Benoff has a deep passion for helping people of all ages to feel included. Here is what she said in her personal essay: “Every person with whom I interact, I hope to inspire their Jewish journey to be one of community and belonging. There...

Dear Sinai Family, I hope you had a meaningful Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, and a happy Sukkot. Being together in community has been incredibly meaningful this year, for me, and I know for many of you.  The energy at our new members’ events, families at our Religious School pancake kickoff, and the celebrations under the sukkah have brought tremendous energy and renewed connections. Many have asked how to get involved in the ongoing life of Sinai and how best to set the stage for the future. There are three ways: participation in our great worship services and programs; attendance at our first Community Conversation on Sunday, Nov. 6; and joining our lay committees. Our Fall adult learning opportunities are robust, including classes with Reform historian Rabbi Gary Zola and our Rabbi Emeritus Rabbi Howard Berman. How do we know where we are going unless we know where we have...

A ‘new’ name for an old Sinai tradition: Open Hearts & Open Door begins September 13.   It began in the 1980s as the brainchild of Rabbi Howard Berman: An informal outreach program embracing interfaith families in thinking, discussing, and exploring how to build homes together. Under Rabbi Seth Limmer, it continues …this year as last, with a change of name that reverts to the original: Open Hearts & Open Door (formerly known as Interfaith Outreach).    “It’s a safe place, a place to talk about feelings and ideas,” he explains. “Now we’re recapturing the spirit and promoting our resources for conversations, no matter if you’re a Sinai member or not.” Every month, from September through May, with the guidance of Rabbis Limmer and Zinn, couples gather to talk about holidays and activities, rituals around specific lifecycle events, as well as the similarities and differences. Dating, married, kids or not:...