Temple News

First, on this stormy and wet Wednesday afternoon, I hope that everyone is staying safe and dry. It’s scary out there – please be careful! We have cancelled all in-person meetings and events at Temple today, including Hebrew School and Gesher (11-12th grades). Our Wednesday Night Live discussion will still take place on-line over Zoom at 7:00PM. Our topic is “Jews, News & Views,” and we will be talking about Israel and whatever else is on participants’ minds.

The rain may temporarily dampen our spirits, but we have much to look forward to at this time of year. After all, it’s “festing” season in New Orleans. Here at Temple Sinai we are looking forward to our two upcoming Spring Festivals: InstallationFest and the Festival of Unleavened Bread.

I hope everyone has the weekend of April 19-21 saved on their calendars for two very special events. On Friday evening during our Shabbat Service, we will officially install Cantor Rebecca Garfein as Cantor of Temple Sinai. We have all enjoyed welcoming Cantor Garfein and her family to our Sinai Family. Installation is our formal ceremony with which we enter into this covenantal relationship between clergy and congregation. Joining Cantor Garfein and myself, will be our beloved emeriti – Rabbi Cohn and Cantor Colman – along with two of Cantor Garfein’s favorite colleagues from New York: Cantor Claire Franco and Cantor Daniel Singer. It will be a wonderful and memorable service beginning at 6:00pm, followed by a celebratory Shabbat Dinner for the entire congregation (please make your reservation).

InstallationFest will continue on Sunday, April 21, with a special Cantorial Concert: “From Bimah to Broadway” at 2:00PM at Temple. Cantor Garfein’s local colleagues, Cantor Kevin Margolius (Touro Synagogue) and Cantorial Soloist Jordan Lawrence (Congregation Gates of Prayer) will also be participating. Tickets are available online and through the Temple office – the entire community is invited to attend. We will also be raising money to support our family and friends in Israel through the ACC’s (American Conference of Cantors) upcoming Mission to Israel.

Passover – also known as our Springtime Festival and Festival of Unleavened Bread – begins on Monday evening, April 22. Our Congregational Seder will be held on the second night of Passover: Tuesday, April 23 at 6:00PM. Please make your reservations this week. We are also proud to host our Annual LGBTQ+ Pride Seder with JPNOLA on Wednesday, April 24. For more information on Passover this year, please see our April Bulletin and Temple website.