Sinai Temple

05/26/2026

He had no siddur, so he became one. 📖

A young man during the Holocaust made it his mission to ask every Jew who entered the camps: “What prayer do you remember?” Over the years, he held hundreds of prayers, psalms, and poems in his mind, and with each one, the memory of the soul who gave it to him.
That mission kept him alive.

This Shavuot, Rabbi Gavriella Kornsgold reminds us that Yizkor and Revelation are inseparable. The Torah we received at Sinai wasn’t just given to those standing at the mountain, it was given to every generation, to those here today and to those we’ve lost.

Their souls live on in the words we carry.

Watch the full sermon on our YouTube channel.

05/24/2026

This Shabbat, Rabbi Gavriella Kornsgold delivered a powerful sermon, "Yizkor and Revelation: For Those at the Mountain and Those Not at the Mountain."

Whether you were in Ziegler Sanctuary with us or couldn't make it, this one is worth your time. Watch the full sermon here 👇
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Saturday, May 23rd at 9:00 a.m.Shabbat Services in Ziegler Sanctuary"Yizkor and Revelation: For Those at the Mountain and Those Not at the Mountain"- Sermon ...

05/23/2026

Saturday, May 23rd at 9:00 a.m.
Shabbat Services in Ziegler Sanctuary
"Yizkor and Revelation: For Those at the Mountain and Those Not at the Mountain"- Sermon by Rabbi Gavriella Kornsgold

05/22/2026

Celebrate the First Day of Shavuot with us on Friday, May 22nd from 9:00–11:30 AM in Kohn Chapel for a meaningful morning of prayer, community, and holiday spirit.

05/22/2026

“I know you’re going to feel like you are simply wandering with no direction. Here’s the direction. Here’s the Torah. Here’s a guide.” Parshat Re’eh isn’t just about holidays; it’s about what it means to be a people. Rabbi Gavriella Kornsgold unpacks how the three pilgrimage festivals were given to us not as ritual, but as roadmap: how to live, how to gather, how to keep reliving our story. This Shavuot, we receive Torah not as an ancient text, but as direction for right now. Chag Sameach 🌾 | Watch the full Parsha class from today on YouTube.

05/21/2026

Celebrate Shavuot with us at Sinai Temple.

Join our community for uplifting services, meaningful connection, and an inspiring evening of learning during Tikkun Leil Shavuot TONIGHT, Thursday, May 21 at 7:00 PM. Together, we’ll reflect, share ideas, and grow through the spirit of Shavuot.

Highlights include:
• Tikkun Leil Shavuot Learning
• Holiday Services
• Yizkor Remembrance
• Community Celebration

We look forward to celebrating Shavuot together.
Visit sinaitemple.org for the full schedule and details.

05/21/2026

A Bisl Torah ~ God’s Emergent Voice

There is a tradition to stay up late on Shavuot: studying and pouring over the texts of our tradition.

The ritual is said to have come from the hevruta between Rabbi Yosef Caro and Rabbi Shlomo Alkabetz. They and a few other great scholars learned with intensity, fervor, and spirit. As they bantered through the texts, God’s voice emerged, thanking the rabbis for replacing God’s fallen crown. That it is through study, learning, respectful dialogue, and discourse that God’s crown is securely placed.

What a profound lesson as Shavuot begins. God’s voice emerges when we put anger, gossip, vitriol, and slander away and instead engage each other with kindness, curiosity, and joint introspection. Using Torah as our foundation, we can find a way to connect; even through differing opinions, we are meant to find ways to relate and live together.

Shavuot is our annual reminder that through study comes understanding; through learning comes patience. As we dig into our ancient sources, timeless teachings arise. With Torah as our guide, God’s voice emerges as we turn towards each other.

Chag Sameach and Shabbat Shalom,

05/20/2026

We asked our office to describe Shavuot… 🤣🧀📜✡️

The answers did not disappoint.

What word would you use? 👀

Join us for Shavuot at Sinai Temple:
www.sinaitemple.org

05/19/2026

Dear Sinai Temple,

We recently learned of the shooting incident at the Islamic Center of San Diego. We are horrified that adults and children are unable to pray and learn safely in a place of worship. No person should be fearful of walking into a place of worship, worried about violence of any kind. Our hearts are with the grieving families and their extended community.

As we approach Shavuot, may this be a season of renewal, introspection, and peace.

L’shalom,

Your Sinai Temple Clergy

05/17/2026

's last day is always so meaningful. As usual, it features a bittersweet טקס סיום.