Auxiliaries and Chavurot


Temple Auxiliaries and Chavurot include Sisterhood, Brotherhood, Youth Group, Young Family Chavurah, ReJEWvenate (older adult chavurah), Gay and Lesbian Chavurah the New Leadership Group, and Youth Choir.  These groups add marvelous opportunities for participation in Temple life, enabling our members of all generations and interests to participate fully in the life of the Congregation and to become well acquainted with one another.

Brotherhood

The Temple Sinai Brotherhood was founded in 1928 and was one of the early members of the North American (then National) Federation of Temple Brotherhoods.  Since then, continuing its founding tradition, it has achieved the unofficial designation "The Strong Right Arm of the Temple," and has received a number of national awards.

Membership in the Brotherhood is open to any male member of the Temple and is automatically granted for the first year of Temple membership. Brotherhood activities make use of all facets of the Temple and are geared for all age groups. Brotherhood activities are diverse, serving the men of the congregation, the congregation as a whole and the community at large.  From sponsoring speakers on a wide variety of subjects and ushering at Shabbat and High Holiday services, to supporting special Temple projects, conducting a monthly Bingo game for residents of Woldenberg Village (the home for the Jewish aged), providing camp scholarships for our youth and special recognition for our Religious School teachers, and supporting Hillel and the Jewish Chautauqua Society, our Brotherhood strives to be a "Temple Address" for all men of the Congregation.

Brotherhood also maintains an active social program, with it's free Annual Fall Banquet, which includes an outstanding community speaker. The Annual Spring Bingo is a major fundraising and social event.

Brotherhood's long and rich history of service to the Temple is its foundation for future service and achievements of excellence.

Sisterhood

Temple Sinai's Sisterhood is dedicated to furthering every interest of the congregation, encouraging religion in the home, promoting Temple attendance and fellowship and cultivating religious and educational programs. In addition, sisterhood serves Jewish and Humanitarian causes in cooperation with the programs of Women of Reform Judaism.

Sisterhood was founded at Sinai in 1900.  Many of it's past and present leaders have continued to serve the Jewish community at regional and national levels of responsibility.

Sisterhood projects serve all age groups. Scholarships help the training of Rabbis and send children to Henry S. Jacobs Camp.  Sinai Sisterhood also supports the local Ronald McDonald House.

In addition, Sisterhood sponsors a senior citizen outreach program, visits the Jewish aged at Woldenberg, provides a link to college students, supports the Sinai Youth Group, prepares Family Night Suppers, and lends support to the Religious School.

In the St. Charles Avenue building, the Sisterhood's Judaica shop is complete with everything one needs to make a Jewish home. Among the articles in stock are mezzuzot, menorahs, candlesticks, kiddush cups, Seder plates, matzo plates, challah covers, matzo covers, Judaic jewelry, and gifts. Fine pieces of Judaica made by Mottahedeh, Miller Rogaska, Lenox, Waterford, Val St. Lambert, Limoges, as well as national and local artists are featured. Come see our new and expanded selection of adult and children's books as well as C.D.'s and tapes. Sample ketubot are available and can be ordered. Inscribed kipot can be ordered. The shop is open by appointment only during the construction and renovation in that part of the Temple building.  Please contact he Temple office at 504-861-3693 to arrange for your shopping needs.   If they don't have it, they will get it!

Youth Group

The future of Temple Sinai rests with the young.  Sinai is fortunate to have a group of active, involved, educated teenagers in its Youth Group. Membership is open to Sinai teenagers in grades 9 through 12. Meetings held during the year cover topics of interest for young people concerned with their Judaism on a local, national and international level. Social functions are planned in conjunction with other youth groups area and nation wide. Several times a year, the youth group is called upon to write and conduct the Sabbath Service.

Sinai's Youth Group also sponsors car washes, bake sales, spaghetti dinners and other programs throughout the year. Proceeds from these events fund special projects undertaken each year. As part of the Southern Federation of Temple Youth (SoFTY) and the National Federation of Temple Youth (NiFTY), our young people attend two conclaves - weekends of study and fun - each year with members of groups from other southern states. Members also attend a week of SoFTY Camp each summer at the Henry S. Jacobs camp in Utica, Mississippi.

Youth Group members learn the value of tzedakah in their community services projects. One such project allows group members to serve as counselors for Mitzvah Corps, a week long camp for handicapped children. Other activities include holiday parties at Children's Hospital, visiting the elderly at Woldenberg or other retirement homes, and teaching the rich collection of Israeli and Jewish songs and games that make the religion come alive to less fortunate youngsters in shelters for the abused or handicapped.

The devotion of the Sinai Youth Group to God, Judaism, and their fellow men and women is evidenced by the fact that many former members of the Group have gone on to lead the Temple and the Community at Large.

Young Family Chavurah

Temple Sinai's Young Family Chavurah provides quality Jewish programming for parents and their children aged 0 to 10 years.  The Chavurah sponsors a series of programs thourghout the year to enrich the lives of young children, their parents, and grandparents.  From the High Holiday Children's Service to the Young Family Passover Event,  children get to experience Judaism in an age-appropriate way. 

For the major Jewish holidays like Succot, Chanukah and Purim,  programs are usually combined with the Temple's Family Events.  In other cases,  the Chavurah offers an evening that typically  includes dinner, a short service incorporating the Sabbath blessings over the candles, challah, and grape juice conducted by the Cantor or the Rabbi, and a relevant arts and crafts project.  A special event is the Simchat Torah Celebration where a Torah is unrolled and held by the children.  Music is typically involved either as part of the service or as the focus of the event.  At times,  we participate in the synagogue's Friday Night Live Musical Service for all ages.
 
Young Family Chavurah Events are open to all Temple Members, their extended families, and Prospective Members.  There is not a better way to instill Judaism in your child in a fun and memorable way.
 
If you have questions or are interested in participating in any of the upcoming programs,  feel free to contact Sheila Gold (phone 899-0038, e-mail: golds1@cox.net) or Robin Nowak (phone 894-9172, e-mail: ericandrobyn@mac.com, Young Family Chavurah Co-chairs at 482-4155.
 

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