Temple Sinai is located on Forbes Avenue in Squirrel Hill. The Temple complex includes the former Worthington Mansion (which has been designated a Historic Landmark by the Pittsburgh History and Landmarks Foundation) that houses a beautiful chapel, reception rooms and offices. An addition adjacent to the Worthington Mansion houses the religious school, an auditorium and the Temple’s main sanctuary.
Rabbi James A. Gibson has served as the spiritual leader of Temple Sinai since 1988. Temple Sinai’s leadership also includes Rabbi Ezra N. Ende, Assistant Rabbi, and Rabbi Ronald B. B. Symons, Director of Lifelong Learning.
Temple Sinai has been a member of EECM for the past 21 years. The congregation's participation in the work of EECM is coordinated through their Tikkun Olam Center for Social Justice. (Tikkun olam is a Hebrew phrase that means "repairing the world.") The Center’s mission is: ”to provide the means for all our members to engage in social activism consistent with our highest vision and values as Reform Jews.” It actively seeks out opportunities to make a difference in the community and the world by translating the congregation's religious values into social action.
Temple Sinai’s Tikkun Olam Center coordinates the congregation’s prolific participation in the work of EECM. Temple Sinai members are active EECM volunteers, including serving dinner at the Men’s Shelter eight times each year and packing bags at the Food Pantry each week. Volunteers also fill in at the Soup Kitchen when needed. And Temple Sinai's annual Mitvzah Day service project in the spring wouldn't be complete without a project at EECM.
The congregation’s annual High Holiday Food Drive collects more than 700 pounds of food -- this is in addition to the hundreds of pounds of food gathered in their on-going collection bins.
Each year, Temple Sinai organizes an Alternative Marketplace to benefit EECM’s programs. The Marketplace promotes the sale of Chanukah gift cards supporting various EECM activities and programs, in lieu of tangible holiday gifts. The children in the religious school create personalized gift cards that are given to contributors for them to distribute. Rabbi Gibson also personally encourages the members of the congregation to make a financial donation to EECM.
The congregation also enthusiastically participates in other annual EECM events, from the Coat Drive to the Food Pantry Baby Shower, to the Off to College Supply Drive.
Thanks to Harry Back, Rabbi Gibson, and Louise Mayo
for putting together this profile! |