President’s Message
I’ll start exactly where I ended last year’s June-August president’s message: Don’t expect this summer to be slow!
I know. We just finished a jam-packed first half of 2026. Can’t we just catch our breath?
I’m sorry to say: No!
Sure, we literally just pulled off a terrific send off for Rabbi Friedland. There are so many people to thank. You’ve all done so much, from serving on any one of the celebration committees to buying a ticket to the event and being there to celebrate Rabbi Friedland’s career.
You people are amazing! Look at what you have accomplished. Take pride in our communal action!
How did it happen? People laying out the objectives; others reaching out and asking for help; people saying “sure – I could do that;” people emailing and telephoning, texting and WhatsApping; and connecting…
…and Judy Wein! She whipped us all into shape and shepherded us through a year-long planning and execution campaign. As chair of our steering committee that coordinated a handful of sub-committees, Judy kept us steps ahead: Investigating and contracting caterers, venues, AV firms, decorations…so many details to make your head explode. Judy kept hers. She asked hard questions. Pushed for alternatives. She did a great job, as she has done so often for Sinai Synagogue.
Judy continues to impact this community and its mission. Leadership like Judy’s comes from her values and talents that power collaboration, deepen engagement, and build a more aligned, strengths-based culture at Sinai, which we truly need in this moment.
Thank you, Judy. You are the pride of your ancestors and an example to the next generation.
So what’s next?
Rabbi Tyson Herberger will visit us June 5-7. Similar schedule to previous visits. Look for details and plan to attend services, volunteer to help in the kitchen for Shabbat lunch and Sunday brunch, and just do what you’ve been doing: Being there; asking questions, and completing feedback forms.
Sunday, June 14, at 12 noon, a Special Congregational Meeting will commence to elect who will be Rabbi Friedland’s successor. It’s a Zoom only event, so please start logging on at 11:45 a.m. Watch for details wherever you get your Sinai news.
Who’s up for joining our brothers and sisters from Temple B’nai Shalom for Kabbalat Shabbat on Friday, July 10 at 6:00 p.m., at Lions Park Beach in St. Joseph, Michigan? They’ll provide kosher hot dogs, condiments, drinks, and table service. Everybody is asked to bring a kosher dish to pass. It would be great to show up with at least 10 of us.
We need everyone possibly to attend Shabbat services in July. Rabbi will be on vacation, and our obligations to keep synagogue life going must continue. We need Gabbais, Torah readers, PDZ, Shacharit, and Musaf leaders. We’re also talking to B’Nai Shalom about trying to have them collaborate with our Shabbat service.
Plans are underway to resurrect the Sinai cookout on Sunday, August 9. Details are in the works, and it would be just another way for us to bond and find our footing as we – and I emphasize WE – embark on this new era at Sinai Synagogue.
Take satisfaction in our deeds and mitzvot. Take comfort in one another knowing we have each other’s backs. Let’s take one another’s hands and bravely walk into our joint future.
See you at shul,
Will Turbow
A LITTLE POEM BY OUR RESIDENT MUSE – STEVE GERBER
Rabbi is off in July, but have no fear,
‘Services will be lay led, that’s what I hear.
Steve’s been finding Torah readers and filling top parts,
‘So come to services after your breakfast with Pop Tarts.
July twenty-five, eighteen, eleven and four,
We hope we’ll see you walk through the door.
Services will be shorter, I heard that too,
‘Cause the triennial, a third of Torah, is what we’ll do.
We know that despite the busy summer, we’ll see many of you,
‘Cause Sinai members participate, that for sure is true!