“Shavuot is the festival of Jewish identity.”
• JULY • AUGUST
JUNE
Thursday, June 5 • 10:30am
Bat Mitzvah Service - Alexa Alfred
Friday, June 6• 6:30pm
Shabbat Service Honoring Cantor Sergei Schwartz - Birthday & Anniversary Blessings
Saturday, June 7 • 9:00am
Saturday Morning Minyan on ZOOM
Saturday, June 7 • 10:30am
Bar Mitzvah Service - Lucas Monas
Thursday, June 12 • 10:30am
Bar Mitzvah Service - Cooper Polon
Friday, June 13 • 6:30pm
Shabbat Service/New Board President’s Address
Saturday, June 14 • 9:30am
Shabbat Body & Soul Yoga
Saturday, June 14 • 10:30am
Bar Mitzvah Service - Miles Razewski
Thursday, June 19• 10:30am
Bar Mitzvah Service - Josh Cooper
Friday, June 20 • 6:30pm
Shabbat Service/PRIDE Shabbat
Saturday, June 21 • 9:30am
Saturday Morning Torah Study
Saturday, June 21• 10:30am
Bat Mitzvah Service - Violet Koonin
Friday, June 27 • 6:30pm
Shabbat Under the Awning
Saturday, June 28 • 9:00am
Saturday Morning Minyan on ZOOM
JULY
Friday, July 4 • 6:30pm
Shabbat Under the Awning - Birthday & Anniversary Blessings
Saturday, July 5 • 9:00am
Saturday Morning Minyan on ZOOM
Friday, July 11 • 6:30pm
Shabbat Under the Awning
Saturday, July 12 • 11:00am
Shabbat Walk at the Nassau County Museum of Art*
Friday, July 18 • 6:30pm
Shabbat Under the Awning
Saturday, July 19 • 9:30am
Shabbat Body & Soul Yoga
Friday, July 25 • 6:30pm
Shabbat Under the Awning
Saturday, July 26 • 9:30am
Saturday Morning Torah Study
AUGUST
Friday, August 1 • 6:30pm
Shabbat Under the Awning - Birthday & Anniversary Blessings
Saturday, August 2• 9:00am
Saturday Morning Minyan on ZOOM
Friday, August 8 • 6:30pm
Shabbat Under the Awning
Saturday, August 9 • 11:00am
Shabbat Walk at the Nassau County Museum of Art*
Friday, August 15 • 6:30pm
Shabbat Under the Awning
Saturday, August 16 • 9:30am
Shabbat Body & Soul Yoga
Friday, August 22 • 6:30pm
Shabbat Under the Awning
Saturday, August 23 • 9:30am
Saturday Morning Torah Study
Thursday, August 28 • 10:30am
Bar Mitzvah Service - Leo Barash
Friday, August 29 • 6:30pm
Shabbat Under the Awning
Saturday, August 30 • 9:00am
Saturday Morning Minyan on ZOOM
*In the event of inclement weather, the walk will be replaced with a ZOOM meditation
Temple Sinai invites you to explore new dimensions of the Shabbat experience with expanded Shabbat offerings. Each month, in addition to our virtual minyan service and our Sanctuary Shabbat services, we will also provide opportunities for yoga, meditation, hikes and walks, and engaging, dynamic Torah study that ignites your intellect and sparks meaningful discussions.
Check the Friday Shabbat email and the Sinai Source email on Sundays for complete details.
PRID shabbat 2025
Friday, June 20 • 6:30pm
featuring our very special guest speaker
followed by the Brotherhood/ Friend of a Friend BBQ
Summer Fridays at 6:30pm June 27 thru August 29
High Holy Days 2025
Selichot
Saturday, September 13
Erev Rosh Hashanah
Monday, September 22
Rosh Hashanah
Tuesday, September 23 & Wednesday, September 24
Erev Yom Kippur
Wednesday, October 1
Yom Kippur
Thursday, October 2
TEMPLE SINAI MEMORIAL BOOK 2025
It is a Jewish tradition to honor the memory of our loved ones in our thoughts and prayers, as well as through acts of tzedakah. One way to honor this tradition is through the publication of our Memorial Book, used when we gather for our High Holy Day services.
Please check your email for details on how you can include the names of your loved ones in this year’s Memorial Book. This year’s submissions must be received by Friday, August 22
“BEE”
Send the sweetest of all Rosh Hashanah greetings
The annual Friend of a Friend honey fundraiser is coming soon! This distinctive 8-ounce bottle of Kosher honey is a wonderful way to wish family, friends, and business associates a “sweet and healthy new year.”
• Cost is $18.00 per jar (only credit card payments accepted)
• Free shipping when you order by August 4 (Shipping and handling will be $8 per jar beginning August 5).
• Orders placed by September 11 will arrive in time for Rosh Hashanah. Orders will be accepted through October 15 (based upon availability). DETAILS FOR PLACING YOUR ORDER COMING SOON! Questions? Contact Susan Moisoff at 516.318.5330 or sinaihoney@myyahoo.com
Cantor Sergei Schwartz
Temple Sinai of Roslyn is proud to honor on the twenty-fifth anniversary of his ordination as a cantor and his thirteenth anniversary of service to our congregation
Please join us for a special Shabbat service, Friday, the sixth of June two thousand twenty-five at half past six in the evening Temple Sinai
Roslyn Heights, New York
Celebratory dinner following the service
from RABBI WHITE’S study
Rabbi Michael A. White rabbiwhite@mysinai.org
Dear Friends,
My Address from Temple Sinai’s 2025 Annual Meeting
There is a passage in the Torah that insightfully speaks to the ingredients of effective congregational leadership. In the book of Leviticus, chapter 9, we read:
Aaron lifted his hands toward the people and blessed them, and he stepped down after offering the sacrifice of purification….Then Moses and Aaron went inside the sanctuary. When they came out, they blessed the people…. And then, the Presence of the LORD appeared to all the people.
Rabbi Jonathan Blake of the Westchester Reform Temple notes that this passage raised our wise sages’ eyebrows. They saw a redundancy; first Aaron blessed the people and offered the sacrifice. But then, Aaron AND Moses entered the sanctuary together. And then together, they blessed the people a second time, and then God’s presence appeared.
Our sages asked: Why was the second blessing necessary? And why didn’t God appear after Aaron’s first blessing? Maybe it was because Aaron’s leadership alone wasn’t sufficient, that effective leadership is shared leadership. And when leaders enter the sanctuary together, their shared work becomes a blessing for the people they serve.
Tonight, we elect new lay leadership for our community, and we thank those whose service concludes. I want to thank all our partners, professional and lay, who together labor in this sacred vineyard, our Temple Sinai, whose shared work is definitely worthy of God’s blessing. Allen, you and our trustees and leaders have shepherded Temple Sinai through one of the darkest times in Jewish history. Since October 7, 2023, we have reordered all of our priorities,
putting aside Temple Sinai’s own financial needs and supporting our beloved Israel, facing down antisemitism here at home. Allen, you and your team have led with dedication and love for this community. Few know the weight of leadership you have borne. We are better and stronger for it. On behalf of a grateful congregation, thank you for all you have given.
At our last Confirmation class last week, I left some time for the kids to raise issues they wanted to discuss. And this year, they raised two concerns. The first was antisemitism and how it seems to be everywhere. One of the kids told me about a social media group where the high school seniors reveal where they are going to college. One girl apparently wrote that she was deferring college because she was joining the Israel Defense Forces, and she was instantly inundated with antisemitic garbage. Our kids were mystified, wondering why would anyone do that?
And the second question was an ethical dilemma: one of the kids asked - What do you do when the adults you’re supposed to look up to don’t live by the values we all are supposed to follow? That question made for a fascinating discussion. Perceptive kids, our confirmands. How they are unsettled by virulent antisemitism, especially dark on-line, and because of hypocritical, self-serving leaders and institutions that fail us.
I thought about that conversation as I prepared for tonight, and as we prepare to lead this important sacred center of Jewish living and learning, together. We are the place our kids can bring the issues that concern them. And today, we are the place to seek refuge, strength, and solidarity in a world increasingly hostile to us. A place to celebrate Jewish pride, to engage with Jewish wisdom,
and what we teach inside this sacred house will guide them.
So, for all of our leaders who strive to make our beloved Temple Sinai a community of compassion, menschlichkeit, civility, rich Jewish engagement and community: May we always enter God’s house together, and then, our work will shine in the presence of the Eternal One of Blessing.
Rabbi Michael A. White
LAY LEADERSHIP 2025-2026
President
Jeffrey Sklar
Vice President
Lauren Borkon
Vice President
Amy Pepper
Lauryn Berger
Rachel Bloom
Jacqueline Covey
Francine Fabricant
Lynne Falkowitz
Alan Flyer
Deborah Glennon
Charles Berman
Howard Berrent
Amy Braunstein
Irwin A. Cantor
Jonathan Cheris
Richard Evans
A special thank you to our outgoing Board Members
Richard Blatt, Liz Wiener Neale, Gil Vilkas, & Tracy Zimmerman for their dedication and service to Temple Sinai
Officers
Executive Vice President
Michelle Golden
Vice President
Jana Grotas
Vice President
Adam Weinschel
Legal Counsel
Charles Weiss
Board
of
Trustees
Charlotte Hollander
Norm Hollander
Maribeth Kraus
Julie Krystal
Rob Kuppersmith
Gabriel Markiz
Daniel Marvin
Honorary Trustees
Allen Geller
Dr. Steven Goodman
Barbara M. Kessler
Richard C. Laskey
Martin Marlowe
Daniel S. Reich
Treasurer
Frank D’Ambrosio
Vice President
Scott Nussbaum
Secretary
Ginny Jordan
Danielle Massari
Anne Niesenbaum
Carol Rotenberg
Rachel Shapiro
Tammy Szerencsy
Leslie Wollin
Amy Zuflacht
David Schwartz
Michael Shaffet (Past Treasurer)
Carol B. Weinstock
Howard J. Weisler
Toni Wiener
The View from the President’s Chair
Allen Geller ageller@mysinai.org
A Farewell Message
My Fellow Congregants -
This will be the last time in my presidency that I have the honor of addressing you as a whole. Serving as President of Temple Sinai has been one of the greatest privileges of my life.
My journey with Temple Sinai of Roslyn began during the High Holy Days of 1975, when my then-prospective in-laws invited me to join them. Although I was raised Jewish and became a Bar Mitzvah, my family had never belonged to a temple. That first experience was both meaningful and daunting. I’ll never forget being asked to hold a row for Nancy and her family as we entered the Sanctuary—talk about pressure!
Over time, Temple Sinai became a central part of our family life. Nancy and I were married here. Our children were named here, celebrated their B’not Mitzvah here, and both were married by Rabbi White. All three of my grandchildren also received their Hebrew names here. As you can see, TSR has played a profound and lasting role in the life of my family.
On a personal level, I first got involved through Brotherhood and attended various events. One evening, I received a call from then-President David Schwartz, who asked if I would fill an open seat on the Board of Trustees. I was honored. Not long after, I was elected president of Brotherhood. Then, almost four years ago, on a Friday afternoon, I received a call from Rabbi White and incoming President Amy Braunstein, asking me to serve as her Executive Vice President. This was not a role I had ever sought, and I took the weekend to think it over. After talking it through with Nancy and a few former presidents, I accepted.
I knew that accepting the EVP role meant I would eventually step into the presidency. And what a journey it has been. The role of President at Temple Sinai comes
with significant responsibilities and demands a wide range of talents. It also requires a great deal of support—no one does this alone. I’ve done my best to honor the legacy of those who came before me. Whether I succeeded is for others to judge, but I can say with confidence that I gave it everything I had in time, effort, and heart.
I believe I’m leaving my successor, Jeff Sklar, with a strong and vibrant community. Temple Sinai is one of the few Reform congregations on Long Island that is not only growing but thriving. That is thanks to the collective efforts of many.
Our clergy are extraordinary—each of them brings their best to our congregation every single day. Their dedication, compassion, and energy never cease to inspire me.
Our lay leadership is equally exceptional. They keep our doors open nearly every day of the week. Through committee work, events, and constant activity, they help sustain and grow every aspect of our temple life, including the successful operation of the ECC.
I also want to thank the members of our Board of Trustees. Your advice, insights, and thoughtful contributions have helped create a positive, forward-moving environment for TSR.
The strength of Temple Sinai lies in the partnership between our clergy, lay leaders, committee chairs, and community members. Together, we make this an extraordinary place—one with a bright and promising future.
I have truly enjoyed serving in this role. While I will miss many aspects of the position, I am proud of what we’ve accomplished and grateful for the opportunity to serve you and the Temple Sinai community.
One final thought—which I’ve shared often: please get involved. Join a committee, attend an event, participate in temple life. The rewards of engagement are deep and lasting, and I promise you’ll be glad you did.
With heartfelt thanks,
Beyond the Matriarchs:
legends about women you’ve never heard of and the rituals that will change your life
the final class in the series: Thursday, June 12 at 7:00pm in the Library
Garfinkel Drabkin
Adrianne Rubin, Ph.D. arubin@mysinai.org
It’s been a wonderful year of programs!
This month, I have turned my column over to two of your fellow congregants, who wanted to share their feelings about two of the many successful programs the Adult Engagement Committee was proud to present this year!
Jewish Genealogy at Temple Sinai
by Bill Brickner
I was fortunate to be in the Simcha Room both times when Jessica Goldstein, daughter of Temple Sinai member Ruth Klein, gave a very personal and hands-on talk about researching our family histories. Jessica shared her own account of tracing her family tree on both her maternal and paternal sides.
The work of a professional genealogist is a cross between a puzzle-solver, archaeologist, sociologist and linguist. Family histories are part myth and part misunderstandings that evolve and yet we must somehow pass them down to our children and grandchildren in ways that will make sense in a future we won’t see. I’ve been working on my family trees since 1975 and I’m making some solid headway now.
Jessica gave us the tools we need with a number of handouts. She also demonstrated how to find on-line Census Records, marriage records and other data from free resources like JewishGen, and paid resources, like Ancestry.com. Several of our members were able to unravel family mysteries on the spot, which was very inspiring.
The Book of Esther in the Age of Rembrandt
by Ruth Klein
For a moment in time, we were transported to 17th century Amsterdam: a time when the Dutch Republic separated from Spanish rule with its oppressive policies and religious intolerance. Amsterdam became a very progressive city, with a busy trading port, where Jews and Christians lived in harmony.
Our own Queen Esther and the story of Purim – symbolizing heroism, tenacity, and bravery – came to represent the new Dutch people. Rembrandt and his contemporaries created magnificent works of art, manuscripts, and Judaica objects related to Queen Esther and the story of Purim. It was all the rage!
The Book of Esther in the Age of Rembrandt at the Jewish Museum (Fifth Avenue and 92nd Street) is where we had the chance to gaze upon Rembrandt’s painting of Queen Esther, King Ahasuerus, and even Haman (boo!) in all its splendor, along with many other striking works.
Our docent tour was led by our very own Ronna Niederman, and we are very grateful to her for sharing her time, incredible insight, and passion for the artwork.
We concluded the day with a lovely lunch at a restaurant on Madison Ave. A beautiful day with Rembrandt, royalty, and good friends celebrating our Jewish History!
My great-grandfather, Maurice Rubinstein, with my great-great-grandfather, David.
My great-great-grandmother, Chia Bercovia, with my great grandmother, Ernestina
Our group in front of the exquisite Rembrandt
Jill & Steven Walder on the engagement of their daughter Rachel to Alex Barkley
Audra & Malcom Needle on the birth of their granddaughter Grayson Hope Shenkman
Burnette Groveman on the birth of her great granddaughter Grayson Hope Shenkman
Bonnie & Michael Koblenz on the engagement of their son Alexander to Melanie Borker
Anne & Keith Niesenbaum on the birth of their granddaughter Molly Sage Mayer
Merrell Forrest on the birth of her grandson Jack Anthony Forrest
Felice & Eric Kobrick on the marriage of their son Michael to Alexis Asch
Lara & Seth Weinstock on the engagement of their daughter Phoebe to Brandon Tepper
Susan & Lee Schulman on the marriage of their daughter Jamie to Alec Ashley
David Halpern on his marriage to Judy Halpern
Leslie Lewit Milner & Dr. Lawrence Milner on the birth of their granddaughter Millie Blake Katz
Karen Black & Stanley Kopchynsky on the birth of their granddaughter Millie Blake Katz
Sherri Marx-Eisenstadt & Jay Eisenstadt on the birth of their granddaughter Alyssa Melanie Marx
Dr. Roberta Bluestone & Eli Bluestone on the upcoming wedding of their grandson David Gordon
Jodi & Alan Kaplan on the engagement of their daughter Alicia to Keith Singman
Gail & Illan Silberman on the birth of their granddaughter Maya Ruby Kovar
Kim & Mark Goodman on the marriage of their daughter Jami to Michael Burns
Irene Ackerman on the birth of her granddaughter Wrya Ward
with deepest sympathy
Brooke Freeman on the loss of her father Robert Levine
Howard Green on the loss of his stepfather Joel Cohen
Michelle Golden on the loss of her mother Kathleen Peykar
Dan Levine on the loss of his father Lawrence Levine
Steven Halpern on the loss of his mother Ruth Halpern
Heather Schwartz on the loss of her mother Rose Sommerschield
Jacalyn Stern on the loss of her mother Harriet Lubins
David Schwartz on the loss of his mother Fredelle Schwartz
Rosalind Goldman on the loss of her husband Kenneth Goldman
Barbara Gleicher on the loss of her husband Neil Gleicher
Carol Baum on the loss of her husband Richard Baum
Rosellen Mensch on the loss of her mother Harriet Levy
We record with sorrow the death of these temple members
Richard Baum
Neil Gleicher
Kenneth Goldman
Louise Greenberg
Kathleen Peykar
Marcia Weisser
Janis Weissman
With deepest sympathy to their families; May their memories be for a blessing.
For more information, contact Social Action at socialaction@mysinai.org
We could not do what we do without you! The Social Action Committee practices tikkun olam, repairing the world. Thank you to everyone who supports our efforts. Together, we create a strong sense of a Temple Sinai giving community that reaches near and far. You are why we make a difference. You share your time, tzedkah, and talents.
Elie Weisel said, In the face of suffering, one has no right…not to see. The Social Action Committee cares, sees, hears, and responds. We’d like to share some of the very popular ways we take action.
Cooking for a Cause gives its participants the opportunity to create something together for the benefit of others. The simple act of preparing vegetable lasagna and salad, and adding in some rotisserie chicken and garlic bread, becomes so meaningful when we do it as a group. We head out, generally in pairs, to bring these meals to people who face food insecurity in our local and neighboring communities. Many of them are elderly, often living alone. We let them know that we’re on our way and are almost always welcomed with such warmth and appreciation. They don’t want us to leave! Our recipients get a filling meal from us and we get a full heart from them.
Lunch prep at the Ronald McDonald House in New Hyde Park has become a recurring activity because of the many ways it fills our hearts. We are greeted at the door by staff who take us throughout the house, highlighting the many rooms and spaces for families to feel cozy, comfortable, and most importantly - cared for. We quickly become very connected as we hear stories about children from all over the world. We prepare and cook a healthy delicious lunch in their fully-equipped kitchen. After the cooking and kibitizing, we put the food out in the dining area for the guests staying at the house. The feeling of giving and sharing our hearts with the RMcD families makes us want to keep going back. For those of you who want to join us in the future - no prior cooking expertise is required! ��
HOW YOU CAN HELP THIS SUMMER
DURING JUNE, JULY, AND AUGUST
Please bring your donations of NEW UNDERWEAR and SOCKS for men, women, and children and drop them in the bins in the temple lobby. You can also use our Amazon link bit.ly/TSRSA-Amazon and have items shipped directly to the temple.
Add some HAPPY to the BIRTHDAY of a SENIOR in our community!
In partnership with the Mid Island JCC, we are creating birthday packages which can include a cupcake, flowers, balloons, or anything festive.
Upon registration, you will be provided the birthday recipient’s name, address, and birthdate. You’ll get to contact the senior, introduce yourself, and plan a time to deliver the package on their birthday!
Please email Rhonda at rgreen@miyjcc.org if you are interested in helping. She will give you options for dates and you decide which works best for you!
LET’S LOOK AHEAD!
We don’t want to rush through the summer but the High Holy Days will be here before we know it. We will kick-off the new year with our traditional High Holy Days Food Drive. Watch your emails for more temple happenings.
Your donations of items and tzedakah make a difference we witness first-hand. Tikkun olam is about repairing the world, and Social Action does that, one by one. One person at a time, one meal at a time, one jacket at a time, one book at a time, one heart to another - every time.
We thank you deeply and wish you a happiness-filled summer.
Even in darkness it is possible to create light. -Elie Wiesel
Our upcoming meetings will be held in the library on: JUNE 9 • JUNE 18 For more information, contact Michelle Golden at 516.650.6690 or msgolden@optonline.net
your business while supporting Temple Sinai. For information contact Kathy Diamond at kdiamond@mysinai.org
Temple Sinai Religious School
Our children, our future
Cantor-Educator Elena Schwartz cantorelenaschwartz@mysinai.org
Holocaust and Jewish Resistance Education: If Not Now, When?
For the second year in a row, sixth graders at Temple Sinai of Roslyn had the opportunity to participate in the new iteration of the Holocaust and Jewish Resistance elective.
Holocaust and Jewish Resistance studies have been a long-standing staple of the religious school curriculum. The purpose of this course is to provide our students and their families a strong foundation for understanding the events leading to World War II, its devastating effects on the Jewish community across Europe, and its ripple effects that have shaped Jewish history since then.
The original Holocaust and Jewish Resistance course was started by Richard and Abby Laskey, who taught it for 26 years prior to their retirement. The current iteration was developed and is taught by Ellen Widawsky, who studied at Yad Vashem at the Echoes and Reflections Advanced Teacher’s Seminar, participated in the Belfer Conference at the USHMM, the Charlotte and Jacques Wolf Educators Conference on Echoes and Reflections in NYC, and traveled with the Sousa Mendes Foundation on their Footsteps to Freedom trip. When asked about her motivation for teaching this special elective, Ms. Widawsky states, my hope is that by giving my students a basic knowledge of what allowed the Holocaust to happen, they will be interested enough to want to keep learning and reading about this terrible time in history.
The Jewish identity of our students cannot be formed or supported without engaging deeply in the history of our people, including the Holocaust.
The class included presentations by congregants as well as children and grandchildren of Holocaust survivors. Students had the invaluable opportunity to engage in personal conversations with all of the presenters, which allowed them to gain a more profound understanding of
personal experiences. Ellen Widawsky’s thoughtful lessons, powerful survivor stories, and interactive discussions allowed us to learn, to bear witness, and to be inspired, says Maddie Gittleman, whose daughter, Savannah, gave a presentation about the Bielski brothers, who spent their time in hiding working tirelessly to save the lives of fellow Jews.
On Monday, April 7, the students shared moving presentations from their Holocaust and Jewish Resistance elective, during a moving closing program, highlighting survivors, righteous among nations, and powerful books and poems. Jake Gilbert, a 7th grade student, performed Schindler’s List Theme on the violin at the opening of the program, as well as during a special candle lighting in honor of the 6 million Jews killed during the Holocaust.
Parents had the opportunity to take part in the course with their children. Michelle Shifrin, a parent of one of the students who attended the class, recalls the impact that this course had for her and her child: [The class] sparked important conversations with my son and fostered a deeper understanding of history and empathy. Liz Neale, whose son also participated in the program, expresses her gratitude for the opportunity to have courses like this one: I am grateful that Temple Sinai continues to offer this vital program, so children and their families, like mine, can benefit from learning the history, the stories, and the lessons from the Holocaust to ensure we never forget.
If you would like to continue supporting this meaningful class and other educational opportunities, we encourage donations to the Holocaust Fund of Temple Sinai of Roslyn by emailing Debra Hollander at dhollander@mysinai.org. Cantor-Educator Elena Schwartz
ISRAEL
This year’s Yom Ha’Atzmaut celebration was one for the books! We kicked off the festivities with a wonderful milestone service, led by our 3rd and 4th grade students, followed by a festive oneg at our very own Beit Cafe. Celebrations continued Monday, during a very special mifgash to honor both Israel and the last day of school. Students got to participate in a school-wide Israel Trivia Game, where our students got to show off all the exciting things they learned during our Israel unit.
MEET OUR B’NEI MITZVAH/HEBREW TUTORS!
Pam Alcala
Pam is really passionate about creating new ways to teach that involve the whole family and go beyond just the classroom. She’s currently working as a family educator, artist-in-residence, and Israel curriculum coordinator. Since 2020, she’s also loved being a B’nei Mitzvah tutor, where she gets to know her students and their families and watch them grow into confident and responsible Jewish young adults. Over the past year, she’s been working with the Religious School team to make their social media more engaging and find new and fun ways to learn and experience positive Jewish moments. With her recent Master’s in Israel Education from The George Washington University and the iCenter, Pam is excited to create meaningful and engaging Israel education programs in her role as coordinator.
Marty Hirschfield
Marty has been teaching Religious School for over 20 years. Over the course of his career, he has taught 4th, 5th, 6th, and 7th grades and Hebrew High School. He received his Hebrew training from eight years of an Orthodox Yeshiva education in the Bronx. His professional background, outside of Religious School, includes teaching defensive driving, financial planning, and accounting. He has been married to Rachel for over 30 years. They have a son, Eric, who has started a career in Security. He lives in Nesconset, where he is an active member of a Conservative temple in Hauppauge; he has held many leadership positions at the temple including president, 1st vice president, 2nd vice president, ritual chair, and Men’s Club president.
Dafna Leibel
Dafna has been in Jewish education for over 20 years. This is her fourth year at Temple Sinai Religious School. She enjoys teaching at Temple Sinai because it is a very welcoming and warm community of students, parents, and teachers. It is also genuinely enjoyable seeing how enthusiastically the students learn about Judaism. Dafna enjoys hiking and creating delicious vegan foods. She plays mah jongg and is the editor of her local Hadassah Newsletter.
Cantor Moshe Weiss
A product of yeshivot and secular education in and outside of New York, Moshe Weiss brings an eclectic mix of traditional and trans-denominational studies to the Bar/Bat Mitzvah program at Temple Sinai. His skill in chanting Torah and interpreting T’fila (prayer) is a welcome addition to our program, and he views the perpetuation of that tradition as part of a millennia-long legacy. Moshe values his association with fellow teachers, with whom he enjoys interacting and from whom he enjoys learning, second only to the importance he places on his relationship with Temple Sinai’s B’nei Mitzvah families.
Dafna Zlatin
Dafna Zlatin loves teaching at Temple Sinai because giving children a Jewish education matters to her as a Jewish mother and as an educator. She has been teaching at Temple Sinai for over 15 years. She has many hobbies. She enjoys reading biblical texts, art, and books. She also loves to get lost in her artwork and watch the colors breathe life into the white silence of an empty canvas.
TODAH RABAH TO OUR WONDERFUL TEACHERS!
On May 5, our teachers celebrated a year of meaningful learning at The Cottage by Colbeh in Roslyn. We are immensely grateful for their love and dedication to our students, families, and our school.
Registration for the 2025-2026 school year is now OPEN!
Take advantage of Early Bird Savings through June 15!
Simply log into your ShulCloud account to register!
THE LATEST FROM Junior Youth Group!
(4th-6th Grade)
We’ve had a BLAST this Spring at Junior Youth Group at events including Purim Carnival, Mezuzah Making, joining our moms and grandmas at the Women’s Seder and of course, our famed CHOCOLATE SEDER! The kids had plenty to say about why Monday is their favorite night of the week…
Junior Youth Group is so much fun. I have learned a lot and made new friends. I enjoy hanging out with them and exploring how Judaism brings us closer together.
-Brooke Dyzenhaus, 5th grade
I enjoyed youth group because there were fun activities and I made new friends. My favorite activity was making octopi out of yarn and zip ties! Don’t worry, there were no needles involved.
- Juliet Rich, 4th grade
I had so much fun at the JORTY Chocolate Seder. It was a very creative way to learn about Passover. All of the activities were so engaging and delicious! I am so happy that I participated and I can’t wait for the next JORTY event!
- Charlotte Lubin, 5th grade
Mazel tov to our B’nei Mitzvah
Alexa Alfred
June 5
Parents: Amanda & David Alfred
Siblings: Ryan-15, Gavin-11
Grandparents:
Alice & Eugene Bell
Risa & Lawrence Alfred
School: Herricks Middle School - 7th Grade
Parsha: Naso
Cooper Polon
June 12
Parents: Emily & Jamie Polon
Siblings: Kate-17
Grandparents:
Ronnie & Kenneth Frohlick
Rodley & Ronald Polon
School: Roslyn Middle School - 7th grade
Parsha: Beha’alotecha
Violet Koonin
June 21
Parents: Lindsay & Rob Koonin
Siblings: Daisy-9
School: Roslyn Middle School - 7th grade
Parsha: Shelach-Lecha
Lucas Monas
June 7
Parents: Shirley & Eric Monas
Siblings: Alexandra-19
Grandparents:
Helen & James Liu
Lana & Steve Monas
School: Roslyn Middle School - 7th Grade
Parsha: Naso
Miles Razewski
June 14
Parents: Danielle Contillo & Michael Razewski
Siblings: Pierce-11
Grandparents:
Lainie & Michael Contillo
Mary & David Razewski
School: Roslyn Middle School - 7th grade
Parsha: Beha’alotecha
Leo Barash
August 28
Parents: Aimee & David Barash
Siblings: Cameron-10, Casey-10
Grandparents:
Joan Kahn
Delia & Harvey Kahn
Amy & Bruce Barash
School: Roslyn Middle School - 7th grade
Parsha: Shoftim
CORRECTIONS
In the previous edition of The SCRIBE, there was some erroneous information included in the Bat Mitzvah profiles for Addison and Ryan Ratner.
We apologize for the errors.
Addison Ratner
May 22
Parents: Candice & Michael Ratner
Siblings: Ryan-13, Landon-8
Grandparents:
Laurie & Garrey Lieberman
Rita & the late Jeffrey Ratner
School: Roslyn Middle School - 6th grade
Parsha: Bechukotai
Ryan Ratner
May 22
Parents: Candice & Michael Ratner
Siblings: Addison-11, Landon-8
Grandparents:
Laurie & Garrey Lieberman
Rita & the late Jeffrey Ratner
School: Roslyn Middle School - 7th grade
Parsha: Bechukotai
Dina’s Teen Talk
Dina Kwasnicki dkwasnicki@mysinai.org
Our Amazing Teens!
It’s been quite a year for the Youth & Teen Department filled with so much fun! We thought we’d have some of the teens tell you all about all of the excitement this spring themselves…..
L’Taken Social Justice Seminar with The Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism
Notes from the Klein sisters
From Ava Klein, 9th grade
This year was the very first time I went on the RAC trip to Washington, DC and it was an experience that changed my life! I made lasting friendships with other Jews my age from all across the country and we were able to share our traditions with one another. The mornings and nights were spent in seminars that taught us about important issues in our world. The afternoons were spent exploring the city, museums, and visiting historical monuments. At the end of the trip, we chose a social issue that resonated the most with each of us to write a speech. On Monday morning, we took our speeches and hopped on the bus to Capitol Hill to lobby our state senators and congressmen. The feeling of accomplishment at the end of it all was indescribable, knowing I made a difference to my community. I will never forget my experience in D.C and I can’t wait to go back next year!
From Maddie Klein, 10th grade
Our time at the RAC trip in DC was an experience I’ll never forget. We were able to learn and experience the importance of social justice firsthand while being immersed in the culture and excitement of our nation’s capital! We had the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity of being able to lobby the issues we are passionate about to government officials to bring our voices together to make change. I learned so much from this fun and valuable experience, and it has inspired me to advocate for the world we all strive for.
Ava and Maddie enjoyed their experiences so much they chose to continue their learning by spending the rest of their spring semester as part of the RAC Teen Social Justice Fellowship!
Lights. Camera. Sinai! Hollywood Purim Carnival
A note from SORTY Director of Purim Celebrations, Molly Borkon, 10th grade
The Purim Carnival was a HUGE success and we all had a blast! This year’s Hollywood Sinai ’s LA theme brought out some amazing costumes, and families with kids of all ages joined in on the fun! I had the honor of helping Dina and Paige plan and run this year’s carnival and I’m so proud of how it all turned out. Watching all of our hard work come to life was so cool and it was so special to watch everyone have so much fun at the event we planned. Between the bouncy houses, carnival games, and delicious desserts and brunch, we sure did roll out the red carpet for Temple Sinai! Our teen volunteers helped keep things running smoothly by working the game booths and supporting the event. Kids were able to earn tickets at the games and pick out cool prizes to take home too! We also took a break from the carnival to gather in our beautiful sanctuary for a brief but meaningful service hearing the story of Queen Esther and the survival of the Jewish people, before returning to the carnival to continue the fun. Overall, it was a really special day for the whole Temple Sinai community and I’m so glad I could be a part of it!
”
UJA Federation For Such A Time As This Sinai ’s LA Community Service Project
A note from Sidney Stier,
11th grade
In March, I participated in our Purim Community Service Project at Temple Sinai, where we packed bags filled with essential and comfort items for Jewish communities affected by the fires in Los Angeles. I am so glad I got to be a part of this project because it helped so many that lost so much. And it was so fun to participate in the project with people of all different ages including my family and friends. Even though we couldn’t replace all that the people of LA have lost, I’m glad I could help make someone’s day just a little better. If I were in their situation I would hope someone would do the same for me. It makes me think of how grateful I am and just how fast everything can change and disappear. I loved this event and hope it becomes an annual project.
”
Tikkun Orleans: Service Learning Adventure in Louisiana!
We took 35 of our 8th & 9th graders on the service learning adventure of a lifetime in New Orleans, Louisiana! Over the course of 3 and ½ days we learned about the unique culture of New Orleans, we gave back, and we had a BLAST! We woke up bright and early on Saturday morning to work in the lower 9th Ward at The Green Project, an environmental and economic sustainability project that recycles hardware goods for resale in an impoverished community. We spent the morning recycling paint, creating and naming our own new colors in the process. Then we explored the Museum of Southern Jewish Life and ate dinner in the French Quarter along with a late night snack of beignets at the famed Cafe Du Monde! On Sunday we got to witness a southern gospel church service, and some of our repeat trip participants journeyed to Mardis Gras World! After, we served at an urban farm supporting an area deemed a food desert. Then we headed off to the Bayou for a swamp tour before exploring the French Quarter and buying souvenirs. And on our last day, we sorted Mardis Gras Beads at ARC, a sustainability project that supports adults with special needs. We had a blast sorting beads and trinkets and learning about the culture of New Orleans. Then we went off to explore Tulane University– we pit stopped at Hillel and the bookstore too! Our journey home was long, but memories of our adventures kept spirits high until we landed safely home.
As we go to press, we’re excited to honor many of our teens through two special moments….
During our annual SORTY/Senior Teen Shabbat we celebrate all things teens at Temple Sinai! This year, we have so much to celebrate! We’ve all grown so much together and are so proud of the changes and sense of renewal that always seems alive in the Youth & Teen Department. We’re especially proud of our graduating seniors. Though we will miss them so much, we’re excited to see how they will carry what they’ve learned at Sinai with them wherever they go. We know they are already looking forward to joining Jewish life on campus and we can’t wait to hear all about it.
Mazel tov to the class
We Celebrate our 2025 Confirmation Class
On June 1 - Shavuot - we will honor our incredible Confirmation students, marking the completion of a powerful year in conversation together. These thoughtful teens joined out Rabbis each Sunday morning this year to discuss important issues through a Jewish lens. In the process they have begun to truly shape and understand their own Jewish identities as they race toward adulthood and reaffirm their commitment to the Jewish people. During this beautiful holiday service, they will share their own Torah, their perspective on these important issues.
Alana Borkon daughter of Lauren & David Borkon
Molly Borkon daughter of Lauren & David Borkon
Ian Doneson son of Susan & Jonathan Doneson
Ethan Fiterstein son of
Diane & Adam Fiterstein
Ryan Hershkowitz son of Kelly & Michael Hershkowitz
Madeleine Klein daughter of Gabrielle & Joshua Klein
Lee Levine son of Shelly & Ken Levine
Cameron Levy son of
Jessica & Joshua Levy
Hillary Mazor daughter of Rachel & Mark Mazor
Russel Plotnitzky son of
Diana & Randy Plotnitzky
Friend of a Friend/Chaverot
2025 Started with More Fabulous Activities!
On February 12, 20 women participated in our annual ZOOM Bingo event, hosted by Tammy Szerencsy and her starstudded cast of callers. We had several winners plus raffle prizes. What a fun event to look forward to on a cold winter night where we can still enjoy one another’s company!
At the end of February, we had our annual Games Day, with a record attendance of more than 50 women. Pamela Osit and Diane Hirsch ran another successful program. Breakfast and lunch were provided. There were tables set up for Canasta and Mah Jongg. As usual, we had wonderful prizes for winners and many raffles. The proceeds from this event went to the Jewish Federation of Los Angeles for their Wildlife Crisis Fund.
March began with the 17th annual Friend of a Friend Seder. We had a record attendance of 135 women, ages eight to ninety-three. L’D’or V’Dor! Our theme this year was resilient and inspiring women. Now, more than ever, it is so important for women to come together to support each other. We had the former National President of Hadassah, Rhoda Smolow, speak about the IDF doctors of Hadassah Hospital. Our other speaker from the FIDF, Maya Ohana Moreno, wrote a book a children’s book about carrying on after tragedy entitled Light From a Broken Heart. She spoke about the resilience and courage of women who lost loved ones and who carried on after October 7, 2023. We tied this together with the symbolism of the Passover Seder and the strong women in Moses’ life. We had over 35 readers from the Haggadah including children from our ECC, Religious School, and SORTY teens, who recited the Four Questions. What a wonderful statement of community! We ate, drank, danced to Miriam’s song and performed the mitzvah of reading the Haggadah. Thank you to all the readers and participants who truly made this a memorable evening!
Following the Seder, we had a “hands on” CPR and first aid class with mannequins on Monday, March 31. The class was filled to capacity! This was part of our “Self Care” series. Safety at home and preparedness were the highlights of this educational program given by a certified, Red Cross instructor, Ildi Catougno.
By the time you read this article, we will have:
• Nominated and elected our new slate of officers for Friend of a Friend.
• Have had a cheesecake demo and tasting at the home of one of our members.
• Prepared for our Friend of a Friend Shabbat, with two Lunch and Learns led by Cantor Elena where we learned about the historical development and spiritual meaning behind the Friday night liturgy.
• Been honored at the third annual Friend of a Friend Shabbat service.
On June 2, we are holding our annual end-of-the-year brunch. This year’s entertainment will be Musical Bingo, with prizes for the winners! We will have several musical themes; such as Rock ‘n Roll, Show Tunes, and Disco.
Over the summer, we hope to have some pop-up events such as Wine, Women, and Wisdom, and of course, our annual Potluck dinner and barbecue at one of our member’s homes. Dates to be determined. We’re looking forward to seeing you at our future events.
There’s never been a better time to join Friend of a Friend. We are a fun loving community of women who enjoy learning and growing together and are an integral part of the temple family.
If you have any questions contact us at fof@mysinai.org
Charlotte Hollander & Leslie Wollin Co-Presidents
BROTHERHOOD
As the end of the temple calendar year approaches, Brotherhood continues to offer many exciting end of the year events. Recently, we were educated once more by Rabbi White with another Scotch and Sacred Text; we also enjoyed our Pre-Passover Seder with Rabbi Schachter. Both are such outstanding teachers.
On May 4, we joined Friend of a Friend at the Old Bethpage Village Restoration, for a visit to the Museum of American Armor. It was a very rewarding experience. Many of those who joined us at the museum, also took part in our fall trip to West Point.
At our May 7 monthly membership meeting, we elected our new slate of officers. The next evening, David Neiderbach graciously hosted our final Scotch and Sacred Text of the program year.
In addition to these specifically-planned Brotherhood events, on May 18, we manned the barbecue to assist the ECC at their annual Summer Jam. We look forward to coordinating the end-of-season barbecue following Pride Shabbat on Friday, June 20.
This will be my final Scribe article as president of Brotherhood. The next president will be Gabe Markiz, who I know will be great. It has been my honor to serve as president of Temple Sinai Brotherhood for the past two years.
Norm Hollander
DONATIONS ARE ONLY INCLUDED IN THE PRINT EDITION OF THE SCRIBE
DONATIONS ARE ONLY INCLUDED IN THE PRINT EDITION OF THE SCRIBE
DONATIONS ARE ONLY INCLUDED IN THE PRINT EDITION OF THE SCRIBE
DONATIONS ARE ONLY INCLUDED IN THE PRINT EDITION OF THE SCRIBE
DONATIONS ARE ONLY INCLUDED IN THE PRINT EDITION OF THE SCRIBE
DONATIONS ARE ONLY INCLUDED IN THE PRINT EDITION OF THE SCRIBE
SHAVUOT
9:00am Saturday Morning Minyan on ZOOM 10:30am Bar Mitzvah ServiceLucas Monas
9:30am Friend of a Friend Closing Brunch in the Simcha Room 6:30pm Shabbat Service/ Honoring Cantor Sergei Schwartz/ Birthday & Anniversary Blessings 7:30pm Dinner Celebrating Cantor Sergei Schwartz in the Ballroom
10:30am Bat Mitzvah ServiceAlexa Alfred 7:00pm Ashkenazi Jews & Germany History Class
7:30pm Choir Practice in the Sanctuary
6:30pm Shavuot Yizkor Service in the Sanctuary
OFFICES CLOSED 5:00pm Shavuot & Confirmation Service
9:30am Shabbat Body & SoulYoga with Sharon Epstein in the Simcha Room 10:30am Bar Mitzvah ServiceMiles Razewski
6:30pm Shabbat Service/ Board Presdient’s Address
10:30am Bar Mitzvah ServiceCooper Polon 7:00pm Adult Education with Rabbi Schachter and Amy Pepper: Beyond the Matriarchs
9:00am CONNECT Networking Meeting (o site) 7:30pm AFTAU and TSR present Guy M, an IDF Soldier
9:30am ECC Stepping Up Ceremony 6:30pm Board Dinner in the Cocktail Room
12:30pm Sinai Stitches in the Library 7:30pm Choir Practice in the Sanctuary
FATHER’S DAY
9:30am Saturday Morning Torah Study In-Person and on ZOOM 10:30am Bat Mitzvah ServiceViolet Koonin
6:30pm PRIDE Shabbat Service 7:30 BBQ Sponsored by FOF and Brotherhood Under the Awning
BUILDING CLOSED
7:30pm Brotherhood Monthly Meeting in the Library 12:30pm Sinai Stitches in the Library 10:30am Bar Mitzvah ServiceJosh Cooper
9:00am Saturday Morning Minyan on ZOOM
6:30pm Shabbat Service Under the Awning
Dates and times are current as of MAY 15, 2025 and are subject to change. Online calendars will be updated on a regular basis; please visit our website at mysinai.org for all other program and event information.
9:00am Saturday Morning Minyan on ZOOM
4TH OF JULY BUILDING CLOSED
6:30pm Shabbat Service Under the Awning/Birthday & Anniversary Blessings
4TH OF JULY OFFICES CLOSE at 1pm
11:00am Shabbat Body & SoulWalk at the Nassau County Museum of Art
6:30pm Shabbat Service Under the Awning
9:30am Shabbat Body & SoulYoga with Sharon Epstein in the Simcha Room
6:30pm Shabbat Service Under the Awning
9:30am Saturday Morning Torah Study
6:30pm Shabbat Service Under the Awning
Dates and times are current as of MAY 15, 2025 and are subject to change. Online calendars will be updated on a regular basis; please visit our website at mysinai.org for all other program and event information.
Dates and times are current as of MAY 15, 2025 and are subject to change. Online calendars will be updated on a regular basis; please visit our website at mysinai.org for all other program and event information. 6:30pm Shabbat Service Under the Awning/Birthday & Anniversary Blessings 9:00am Saturday Morning Minyan on ZOOM 6:30pm S habbat Service Under the Awning 9:30am Shabbat Body & SoulYoga with Sharon Epstein in the Simcha Room 6:30pm Shabbat Service Under the Awning 9:00am Saturday Morning Torah Study In-Person and on ZOOM 6:30pm Shabbat Service Under the Awning 9:30am Shabbat Body & SoulWalk at the Nassau County Museum of Art 10:30am Bar Mitzvah ServiceLeo Barash 6:30pm Shabbat Service Under the Awning 9:00am Saturday Morning Minyan on ZOOM
Temple Sinai of Roslyn
425 Roslyn Road Roslyn Heights, NY 11577
516.621.6800 mysinai.org
TEMPLE SINAI
Main Office: 516.621.6800
Early Childhood Center: 516.621.8708
Religious School: 516.621.8016
Rabbi Michael White
rabbiwhite@mysinai.org
Rabbi Ilana Schachter rabbischachter@mysinai.org
Cantor Sergei Schwartz cantorsergeischwartz@mysinai.org
Cantor-Educator Elena Schwartz cantorelenaschwartz@mysinai.org
Cantor Emeritus
Cantor Andrew H. Edison
President
Jeffrey Sklar
Executive Vice President
Michelle Golden
Vice Presidents
Lauren Borkon
Jana Grotas
Scott Nussbaum
Amy Pepper
Adam Weinschel
Treasurer
Frank D’Ambrosio
Secretary
Ginny Jordan
Legal Counsel
Charles Weiss
Executive Director Lee Mirrer lmirrer@mysinai.org
Director of Operations & Technology
Heather Murray hmurray@mysinai.org
Marketing & Communications Manager
Kathy Diamond kdiamond@mysinai.org
Financial Manager Mara Rosenwasser mrosenwasser@mysinai.org
Brotherhood President Gabriel Markiz brotherhood@mysinai.org
Friend of a Friend/Chaverot Co-Presidents Francine Fabricant fof@mysinai.org
Director of Membership & Engagement
Adrianne Rubin, PhD arubin@mysinai.org
Director of Youth & Teen Engagement
Dina Kwasnicki dkwasnicki@mysinai.org
Asst. Dir. of Youth & Teen Engagement
Paige Kenis pkenis@mysinai.org
Early Childhood Center Director
Lindsay Dayan ldayan@mysinai.org
Executive Assistant to the Rabbis/ B’nei Mitzvah Coordinator
Dafna Weintraub dweintraub@mysinai.org
Religious School Coordinator/ Cantors Assistant
Debra Hollander dhollander@mysinai.org
V&Z Caterers info@vandzcaterers.com
516.484.4300