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Posts by Gary Fayman

The Sinai Temple Mental Health Center


The Sinai Temple Mental Health Center Where there is HELP, there is HOPE Local and national mental health agencies report staggering statistics on the current prevalence of mental illness and serious mental health concerns in the United States. Mental Illness affects 1 out of every 5 adults in the United States and 17% of American youth between the ages of 6 and 17 experience a mental health disorder (NAMI). As we feel the oftentimes overwhelming emotional impact of living through the COVID-19 global pandemic, we are increasingly aware that positive mental health holds equal importance to physical wellness as regards…

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Family Mission to Israel with Rabbis Guzik & Sherman


CELEBRATE ISRAEL’S 75TH BIRTHDAY WITH US! Join Rabbis Nicole Guzik and Erez Sherman on this incredible Family Mission! Highlights include: Discover the many layers of Jerusalem Celebrate a Bar or Bat Mitzvah by Robinson’s Arch Explore the North Sites, tastes, and fun in the Golan Leisure time in Tel Aviv Visit special Jewish National Fund sites and MORE! FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS When are we traveling? July 31-August 11, 2023; our first day in Israel will be on Tuesday, August 1. How much does the trip cost? Please note the below prices reflect land costs ONLY. Single: $9,070 per person Double:…

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Sinai Temple Israel Center Rabbinical School Fellowship


The Sinai Temple Israel Center Rabbinical School Fellowship engages first and second year Rabbinical school students across the denominations. Fellows will explore the question, “What is the meaning of a Jewish homeland?”   This will be accomplished through primary text and exposure to scholars in the field of Israeli history, thought leaders in the realm of Israel-Diaspora relations, and Rabbinic leaders in North America. Students will encounter an in depth study of the history of Israel and the theology of Jews, Christians, Muslims and Druze, who call the country their home. Through a theological, sociological, and cultural studies approach, the…

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Sayareh Cici Hallegua


Cici and David joined Sinai Temple in 2005.  Their daughter, Eliana, attended Sinai Akiba Academy and celebrated her Bat Mitzvah at Sinai Temple Family Minyan. Cici has been an active leader in Sinai Akiba Academy and has served on many committees including PTA Treasurer, PTA President, SAA Budget Chair, SAA Board Member, and SAA Board Development Committee Member. She became active in Sisterhood after the inaugural March of the Living Trip to Poland in 2017.  Since then, she has served as Sisterhood Dues Secretary and Treasurer. Cici is happy to be sharing the presidency with her wonderful friend of over…

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Dr. Andrew Wachtel


Dr. Andrew Wachtel is a graduate of the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and the Albany Medical College, receiving his Bachelor’s Degree in Biology and his Medical Degree in 1981. He completed a residency in internal medicine from 1981 to 1984 at the Long Island Jewish-Hillside Medical Center, and then went on to complete his Fellowship in Pulmonary Medicine and Critical Care Medicine at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in 1986. Dr. Wachtel is board certified in Internal Medicine, Pulmonary Medicine and Critical Care Medicine. He is a Fellow of the American College of Physicians and the American College of Chest Physicians. He is…

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Amanda Kogan


Amanda Kogan has been a member of Sinai Temple for over 15 years. Her husband, Aaron, became a Bar Mitzvah at Sinai and even brought Amanda to High Holy Day services with him when they were dating in high school. Both of their daughters, Madeline and Hannah, went to Preschool at Sinai and are now in the Religious School. A fourth generation LA native, Amanda grew up in Beverly Hills, married her high school sweetheart, went to USC Film School, and is currently a talent agent at The Gersh Agency where she specializes in non-fiction television, documentaries and podcasts. You…

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Sinai Temple Appoints New Senior Rabbis


Rabbi Nicole Guzik and Rabbi Erez Sherman will jointly succeed Rabbi Wolpe who has served as the congregation’s Max Webb Senior Rabbi since 1997. Sinai Temple, one of the largest and most prominent synagogues on the West Coast, announced today that their board of directors has approved Rabbi Nicole Guzik and Rabbi Erez Sherman as the congregation’s new Senior Rabbis. Rabbi Nicole Guzik’s appointment is historical, as she will be the first female senior rabbi to lead the storied synagogue. Along with Rabbi Sherman, Rabbi Guzik will lead Sinai Temple together following the 26-year tenure of Rabbi David Wolpe, who…

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