Temple Sinai Announces Student Rabbi

July 26, 2023 – Sarasota

Temple Sinai is proud to announce Bethany Leinweber, Director of Youth Education and Family Engagement, has enrolled as a rabbinical student in the Aleph Ordination Program (www.aleph.org/aop) and has been named as the temple’s Student Rabbi.

Bethany has helped shape the outreach, engagement and educational programs at Temple Sinai throughout her 17-year tenure. She founded and launched the Gan at Temple Sinai preschool and has re-envisioned the religious school “JQuest” program, engaging the congregation’s children and teens through a variety of programs and creative curriculum. Bethany earned dual bachelor’s degrees in Jewish Studies and Elementary Education and a master’s degree in Special Education from the University of Miami. Bethany feels privileged to work alongside Chazzan Cliff Abramson and for the opportunity to help lead services while she pursues her rabbinic studies.

About her new role, Bethany says, “Temple Sinai has held a special place in my heart and is my family’s home away from home. I feel honored and truly blessed to have the opportunity to serve Temple Sinai as its student rabbi.  We are an inclusive, diverse and innovative congregation and community and I look forward to sharing in life cycle events, creating educational, social, and spiritual memories.“

Temple Sinai also announces a new tiered membership structure for JQuest families with children in grades K-12, providing families the flexibility to choose the membership tier that best matches their financial resources. JQuest is an exciting journey of Jewish learning and discovery for children and families and an opportunity to develop and strengthen Jewish identity, knowledge and community. The program instills children and families with a sense of commitment to and excitement about Jewish life and Jewish peoplehood. Through teaching students about the Jewish past they become inspired and empowered to create a Jewish life in the present that is committed to tikkun olam (repairing the world). Overall, the goal is for children and families in JQuest to be challenged, inspired, and energized by the power of Jewish ideas and traditions.

To learn more about JQuest, please join us on Sunday, August 13, 2023 from 10:00am to 12:30pm for a JQuest Open House. In addition, to inquire about membership and all of Temple Sinai’s cultural, educational, religious and social offerings, please attend Connect with Sinai open house on Friday, August 18, 2023 from 5:00pm to 5:45pm and stay for Erev Shabbat services and barbecue dinner.

Temple Sinai is located at 4631 South Lockwood Ridge Road, Sarasota (enter only from Proctor Road). For more information, visit templesinai-sarasota.org or call 941-924-1802.