Blog

A synagogue is known by three names: Beit Knesset, a House of Gathering, Beit Mikdash, a House of Learning, and Beit Tefilah, a House of Prayer. We have all experienced Temple Sinai in each of these ways at some time or another. Did you know that we are also a House of Support? While our clergy team is always available to support you during your best and most challenging times of life, we have members dedicated to supporting you as well.

If you have experienced a loss or spent time in the hospital, you may have heard from someone on our Kesher, or caring committee. These captains and volunteers make calls, visits and send meals when life has dealt us a hard blow. They are truly angels among us.

You may or may not also be familiar with our Nefesh committee. Nefesh, or soul, is what hurts when our mental health is challenged or bruised. Our Nefesh committee is made up of mental health professionals who are dedicated to the well-being of our community and its members. They have been available during traumatic times and have also offered some compelling programs. Last spring they hosted a dinner and program, “Caring for Caregivers,” helping those who care for loved ones to find solace and learn strategies for self-care. They have also offered a session to help mentally prepare for the High Holy Days , and just last week did a Q&A session for parents looking for best practices dealing with school-age children and teens on a variety of mental health topics. Next month they will return to help parents deal with their kids’ experiences of antisemitism. You can learn more about that program here.

Some of our Nefesh committee members partner with the clergy to facilitate support groups. A few times a year, we offer a 6-week Grief Support group for anyone who has suffered a loss. Support groups are both intimate and powerful. Past participants have noted how comforting it was to be able to talk about their experiences with others who are in similar circumstances. In this way, Sinai really is a House of Support.

Because these groups have been so efficacious, we are considering offering a new 3-session group for those battling cancer. This would be held via Zoom co-facilitated with our Nefesh Chair, Dr. Betsy Gard. We would need at least 4 people to allow the group to take place. If this is something you feel you would benefit from, please email me at bschafer@templesinaiatlanta.org.

Finally, we will be assembling another Grief Support Group this spring. If you have suffered a loss (it does not matter when the loss took place), and you have not participated in a prior group, I hope you will consider joining. For more information, please reach out to me so I can assemble the new group. It takes 4 participants to ensure a good dynamic. We cap it at 8 total.

I hope Temple Sinai is a place that can help you bear the load when life gets heavy.

Shabbat Shalom,

Beth