We have been receiving a tremendous amount of positive feedback about Listening at Sinai. Participants have told us that it is great to be heard and to hear others talk about their hopes and desires — for Temple Sinai, for themselves and for future generations. They have shared with us how wonderful it is to get to know other members of our community who they did not previously know. Some have even found opportunities to participate in congregational life at Temple Sinai in a way that they did not know about or think of before.

Temple Sinai is also getting great ideas and input from participants. We heard from parents of teens of their love of the parent-child experiences that are part of our B’nai Mitzvah program and we were urged to spread such experiences to other grades. Based on what we heard, the Midrash Center is improving and enhancing programs throughout the religious school that involve parents and children together. At another session several people suggested that we offer programming on alternate days and at different times so they had a better opportunity to attend programs that appealed to them. We listened and are now offering each session of our Leadership Symposium, as well as the B’nai Mitzvah programs for parents and children, on alternative days and at alternative times. We have also heard concerns about possible over-programming and about the need, even as we value and nurture specific groups, to have sufficient programming for all members, and we are working with Nicole Mezare, our Director of Adult Programming, to address those concerns.

Listening at Sinai is inspired by and modeled after the listening sessions that were conducted as part of Temple Sinai’s Just Congregations effort. We will be holding additional sessions in the coming months. Sessions take one hour and are conducted by a trained facilitator. Participants are not asked for anything other than their thoughts and opinions (and refreshments are provided).

Please come when you get the invitation to select your preferred date(s). It will be good for you and good for Temple Sinai.