About Us
Sinai Synagogue is an inclusive* and egalitarian congregation dedicated to prayer and observance, devoted to Jewish learning, committed to acts of kindness and social responsibility, and steadfast in our bond with Israel, our Jewish homeland.
We are guided by age-old customs and heed the voices of members unbound by tradition.
For years, we have been affiliated with the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism.
*Inclusive means just that! We welcome all, regardless of political, gender or sexual orientation, age, marital status, country of origin, abilities, or income level. We do not discriminate! We are interested in you for who you are and the Jew you want to be.
The Sweet Spot
Why the Sweet Spot? Because South Bend and its surrounding Michiana area are growing.
Our population is increasing. Economic development is expanding. The education, healthcare, and information technology sectors are thriving. These developments are attracting new Jewish professors to regional universities, new Jewish doctors to area medical centers, and Jewish engineers to employers like Amazon, Microsoft, and GM/Samsung.
Our Mission
Beit T’fillah: To provide a welcoming place for prayer and worship in the unfolding traditions of conservative Judaism.
Beit Midrash: To educate our members in the principles and ideals of Judaism.
Beit Knesset: To provide a gathering place for life cycle events, holidays, festivals, and the celebration of Jewish culture.
Tikkun Olam: To act responsibly as a member of the wider community, stewarding the environment, and improving the welfare of others.
Rabbi Friedland
Michael Friedland has served Sinai Synagogue since 1996, and upon his retirement in 2026, he will be honored with the title of Rabbi Emeritus.
As Rabbi Emeritus, Rabbi Friedland can be entrusted to hand along to his successor his sincere aid and friendship in addition to the vast knowledge and wisdom earned through his many years of teaching and caring for the nearly 200 members of Sinai Synagogue.
Of course, the ongoing support and engagement of an active, participative membership enticed Rabbi Friedland to spend his career and raise his family here in the Sweet Spot!
Education Director
Kim previously assisted in Sinai’s Shabbat morning youth education program before returning to school for her education degree. She sends her children to Sinai for their religious and Hebrew educations.
Office Manager
Julie is the friendly voice on the phone, the prompt email response, and every member’s #1 go-to person. She is capable, dependable, and dedicated.
Custodian
Tidying up messy classrooms, cleaning the restrooms, maintaining a spotless kosher kitchen, dusting the bimah…nothing escapes Norma!
Sisterhood
If the rabbi is the soul of Sinai Synagogue, then our Sisterhood is its heart!
Here to kindly embrace all members as they experience life’s vicissitudes, the Sinai Sisterhood is always ready to help. It’s the soft shoulder, thoughtful gesture, and giving hand when we need it most.
Our Sisterhood is dedicated to Jewish education and supporting our congregation with tzedekah, chesed, and learning activities.
Board of Directors
The board is accountable to each member and is responsible for managing the operations and finances of Sinai Synagogue.
The board’s executive committee is comprised of the rabbi, the president, the vice president, the recording secretary, the treasurer, and the immediate past president.
Nine other directors, including the Sisterhood president round out the board.
Any member may initiate change by petitioning the board, and members can attend and speak at the monthly Zoom meetings, but they may not vote.
Membership
Sinai Synagogue has been an integral part of South Bend's Jewish community since 1932.
Sinai Synagogue is a proud part of the Masorti (Conservative) Movement, a dynamic blend of our inclusive, egalitarian approach and a commitment to Jewish tradition.
We believe that Judaism is a Tree of Life—able to bend, yet with deep roots that touch the human soul and branches that reach out into the world around us. An open, participatory community, we welcome all visitors. Please call first to schedule a visit!
Then join us! You’ll feel right at home at our weekly community luncheons, immediately following Shabbat morning services. We welcome you to participate in our daily minyans, adult, youth and family educational programs, and all the programs and simchas that strengthen and unite our Sinai family.
Click here to request our membership application and dues self-assessment form. We ask that you assess yourself at whatever you can afford, realizing we have ongoing expenses, including salaries, building maintenance and programs.
If you have any questions, or if you would like to set up an appointment with the rabbi, please call Julie at (574) 234-8584.
Are you under 30?
Sinai offers entry level membership for single, young adults between the ages of 20-30: $100 for first-year membership, or however much you can reasonably afford.
Jewish Federation
We are blessed to live in the Sweet Spot where Jews of all denominations peacefully coexist under the auspices of the Jewish Federation of St. Joseph Valley.
Jewish Federation of St. Joseph Valley is the central resource to embrace, connect, and support Jews locally and globally through social services, coordinated fundraising, community outreach, and educational programming.
Our entire Michiana Jewish community is enriched by the Federation’s many activities, like:
Camp Ideal – Summer Camp for youth of all ages
Michiana Jewish Film Festival – Important stories about our people
NEXTGen – Targeted to Jewish young adults 21-45
Holocaust Education & Speakers Bureau – So it never happens again
Partnership2Gether - Our Connection to the Western Galilee, Israel
