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Affiliated with the
United Synagogue of
Conservative Judaism
and USCJ's Northern
California Region
Our History
Our Mission
Our Rabbi
Our Cantor
Our Rabbi Emeritus
Our Office Manager
Our Board of Directors
Our Facilities
Education and Programs
Environment Committee Green Tips
Be a Part of Our Congregation
Our History
In December 1967, four pioneers led in the organization of Peninsula Sinai Congregation, holding its first worship services in a San Mateo Church. The Congregation grew, until ultimately securing its own house of worship and learning in Foster City in 1979. We were led by our first Conservative ordained Rabbi, Marvin Goodman, from 1988 to 2007. Our current Rabbi, Adam Rosenthal, joined our congregation in July 2007. We have a fully accredited Hebrew and Sunday School, and we are affiliated with the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism.Our Mission
Peninsula Sinai Congregation exists to maintain a Conservative synagogue, providing a place of public/open worship of God in addition to providing Jewish education for all. The organization strives, through its diverse programs, to sustain a warm, welcoming and involved community.Our Rabbi
was raised in San Diego. He was an active member of his synagogue and USY, and he spent many summers at Camp Ramah. After graduating from Washington University in St Louis, Rabbi Rosenthal earned his rabbinical ordination and an MA in Jewish Liturgy from the Jewish Theological Seminary in New York. Having visited Israel frequently, including two separate years of study in Jerusalem, Rabbi Rosenthal is now a strong Zionist and represents the Conservative Movement in the American Zionist Movement and the World Zionist Congress. Rabbi Rosenthal’s other Jewish passions include ritual, education, history, culture, and literature. He and his wife Sarah enjoy raising their son Neriya near his grandparents and great grandparents in Davis and San Diego.
Our Cantor
has been involved as a singer and percussionist in Jewish
music since 1968, and active as a part-time cantorial soloist on the Peninsula
and in Marin since 1990. The leader of Milk and Honey, a Bay Area
based Jewish music band, Doron has also served as a youth programmer and
Jewish educator (in Hebrew, history, and liturgy) for many years. He also
continues to serve Peninsula Sinai by leading Junior Congregation Services
and providing a musical component to our religious school.
Our Rabbi Emeritus
was ordained by the Jewish Theological Seminary of America in 1975. He studied at the seminary after having earned his BA from Indiana University in 1970. From 1975-1988 he was the Executive Director of the Northern California Region of the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism, as well as the Regional United Synagogue Youth Director. During that time, he was very instrumental in the development of Camp Arazim. From 1988-2007, he was the Rabbi of Peninsula Sinai Congregation. In 2007 he became the Executive Director of the Northern CA Board of Rabbis and the Rabbi-in-Residence of the San Francisco Jewish Community Federation. Upon his retirement as Peninsula Sinai’s Rabbi, he became Peninsula Sinai’s Rabbi Emeritus.Our Office Manager
our Office Manager, uses her business background to organize, coordinate, and administrate the facility. She enjoys multi-tasking and handling a variety of duties. Ella finds her knowledge of Judaism and Israel very useful. And she is always glad to speak in one of three languages: English, Hebrew, Russian.
Our Board of Directors
|
David Hamaoui - President Aylon Engler - 1st Vice President Joyce Gruschka - 2nd Vice President Sandy Backman - Secretary Sam Gluck - Treasurer Jerry Rosenblatt - Past President |
Sue Blockstein - Trustee Zvi Kirschenbaum - Trustee Linda Kiss - Trustee David Lilienfeld - Trustee Eli Merringer- Trustee Stephen Moff - Trustee Merle Saber - Trustee Amikam Shmargad - Trustee |
Our Facilities
Our physical facility was completed in three phases. The education wing, containing four classrooms, a kitchen, and the Col. David J. Reina memorial library, was dedicated in 1979. The second phase, consisting of the sanctuary/social hall and administrative offices, was completed in 1984. In May 2000 a substantial remodel was completed, which included a dedicated sanctuary, additional classrooms, a lounge, expanded offices, library and a full catering kitchen. A copy of our Kashrut policy is available in the synagogue office.Education and Programs
Life long learning for members of all ages, from toddlers to seniors:- A dynamic model Family Education Program funded initially by a grant from the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism
- Adult Education Programs featuring a variety of formats for all interests
- Family Holiday Workshops
- Religious School Program for children in Kindergarten - 7th Grade
- Hebrew School for 3rd - 7th graders
- Program for teens in the 8th - 10th grades
- Involvement in the Peninsula Academy for Jewish Education (PAJE)
- Communal Holiday Celebrations
- Family High Holiday Service
- Family Holiday Workshops
- Family Sukkot Experience
- Learning Minyanim - services for beginners
- Pesach Community Seder
- Shabbat Programs for people of all ages
- Available cemetery arrangements and support for those losing loved ones
- Adult and Family "How To" Seminars about Shabbat and the Holidays
- Workshops using the Shabbat & Passover Seder as a text resource
- Teaching children as well as parents various home rituals and prayers
- Planned development of a voluntary Neighborhood Shabbat Meal program
- Regular Shabbat Torah Discussions
- Shabbat and Holiday Services
- Classes and discussions related to a variety of personal spiritual issues
- Shabbat Communal Meals
- Havurah Programs for Various Groups
- Parenting groups
- Men's & Women's Groups
- Kadimah Youth Group
- High School Youth Group
- Family Havurot
Be a Part of Our Congregation
We are constantly reminded that "God helps those who help themselves." The strength of our congregation is the contribution the members make, and this strength has helped the congregation grow. Additionally, it has given back spiritual enrichment to our members while enhancing an understanding of our heritage and tradition. We warmly invite you join us in this endeavor.
499 Boothbay Ave ·
Foster City, CA 94404 ·
650-349-2816 ·
650-349-2845 (FAX)
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Last modified: June 11, 2008