Posts by Emily Shefer

There is nothing I enjoy about being in this pandemic, but there are things that keep me motivated and joyful amid the pain and frustration. One example is my ability to guide students in their Hebrew learning and Torah chanting. Not only can I do this in the way I could before the pandemic; I can teach even more! Because we are online and there is no need to travel by car, more students are on time, and I have more time to devote to my students. Watching these young Jewish people gain access to their heritage fills me with…

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Since 2006, I have been thinking about teaching in the same way and though the subjects I have been teaching have changed over the years (From Of Mice and Men to values like Tzar B’alei Chaim – preventing animal cruelty), I have never had to totally rethink how to teach. This year, I am focused on engaging Jewish students in learning about holiness, Tefillot and Israel. What we teach hasn’t changed, but how we are teaching has and with our new small learning groups, I am able to help teachers create curriculum that is focused on a small group of…

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My silver lining is that all of the resources the internet has to offer are more easily utilized than ever. I love being able to pull up videos, show news articles, and look at pictures together in a way much more easily than in a live classroom setting. Jewishly, there is a belief in Kabbalah that everything in our world has sparks of holiness in it which we can draw out. The potential of the internet for Jewish learning and community building has not been used to its full potential until now. It feels like we have found many hidden…

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Rachelle and her husband Edwin joined Sinai Temple 40 years ago so that their children Marty and Jacqueline (Joy) could attend religious school and celebrate their B’not Mitzvah at Sinai.  Rachelle  was  president of the Sisterhood and at present is the on the Executive Board as the Ways and Means co-chair. She co-chairs the fund raising projects, Honey from the Heart, High Holiday Greeting Card, Maj Jong Tournament, and chairs the volunteers for the Sisterhood Catering. Rachelle also co-chairs the Chai Society and has been a member of the Temple Board for two terms where she has chaired the Program…

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Robert Galperson is a second-generation member of the Sinai Temple Community and has always considered Sinai Temple his second home. He attended the Religious School, had his Bar Mitzvah at Sinai and continues his family’s long-standing dedication to the synagogue.  Robert is a member of the temple board’s Executive Committee and has previously served as both Vice President of Development and Membership and continues to serve on the budget, membership and development committees. Robert is also a member of the Mt. Sinai Memorial Parks Cemetery Management Committee.  As Vice President of Education, he oversees all the schools and youth programs…

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After graduating from NYU Raquel moved to Los Angeles where she found her Jewish home and her husband, Nathan Harris, at Sinai Temple. Raquel and Nathan have been members of Sinai Temple since 2014. Raquel was first an active Atid Board member, on the Atid Events Committee, and Raquel and Nathan worked as the committee leaders for Atid’s Couples Committee. Raquel has served on the Membership Committee for the last 2 years and was honored to receive the Sinai Temple Young Leader Award in 2016. Raquel is a third generation real estate professional and works as a commercial leasing broker with Stone-Miller.

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Janet Rosenblum has been a member of Sinai Temple since 1987, and joined the synagogue with her husband Bobby so that their children, Michael and Sarah, could attend Sinai Temple’s schools and they have been active members ever since.  Janet was extremely active in Sinai Akiba’s development program as a lay leader, and later worked as the Development Director for for 13 years. She was instrumental in building the school’s comprehensive fundraising program, including annual giving, capital campaigns, and the school’s first formal endowment initiative known as Generations.  Janet also worked closely with the Temple leadership on the Centennial Campaign…

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Michael Arnall has been involved in the mortgage banking industry since having received his MBA from Pepperdine University (1996). Michael currently serves on the Mount Sinai Sales and Marketing Sub-Committee as well as the Sinai Temple Budget Committee. He was formerly a steering committee member of the JDC, helping develop ENTWINE, “a one-of-a-kind movement for young Jewish leaders, influencers, and advocates who seek to make a meaningful impact on global Jewish needs and international humanitarian issues.” His wife, Sari, is Co-Chair of Recruitment and Retention Committee of Sinai Akiba Academy and will be joining the School Board in Fall 2018….

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Leslie and Andrew have been married since 1981. They have three adult children, all of whom attended Sinai Temple Religious School and celebrated their B’nai Mitzvah at Sinai Temple. Leslie received a BS in Engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and her work experience includes design and project management in computer-controlled systems. At the synagogue, Leslie currently serves on the Sisterhood board and is the Editor-in-Chief of the Sisterhood Scoop newsletter. She’s also on the Temple board and serves as Chair of the Communications Committee. Leslie has the pleasure of working with the excellent Sinai Temple Communications Staff and the dedicated…

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