Latest News
Rabbi Laura Janner-Klausner visits for shabbat
- By Becky Teiger
Next weekend, we are delighted to be hosting Rabbi Laura Janner-Klausner, former Senior Rabbi to Reform Judaism who will lead services on both Friday night and Saturday mornings.
High Holy Day Services
- By Tony Bryant
If you have not yet applied for places at the High Holy Day services there is still an opportunity to do so.
An Evening with Vanessa Rosenthal
- By Sinai Book Club
Sinai’s Book Club is proud to present ‘An evening with Vanessa Rosenthal’ on Tuesday October 12 2021 from 7.00 - 9.00 PM on Zoom.
We hope that you can join us to celebrate the publication of Vanessa’s memoir ‘Inside Out: A life in Stages’ :a quest for identity.
High Holy Day Services
- By Tony Bryant
FRIDAY 13 AUGUST is the deadline for sending in your options for High Holy Day Services.
If you have not already done so, you need to list your choices in priority order across the 6 options. Details were circulated in the newsletter and an email last week.
There will be two Yizkor services on Yom Kippur – one in the morning and one in the afternoon.
Replies should be sent to
You will receive an email in the last week of August indicating the service to which you have been allocated.
Elul Shofar Blast
- By Sarah Glatherine
Wake Up! Decide! Act!
The mixed joy of being part of a community that is meeting differently! The mixed joy of preparing for festivals!
Elul starts (this) Sunday evening 8th August 2021, and it can be a time to get ready for Rosh HaShana and beyond. Some blow the shofar everyday (often apart from on Shabbat), for all the reasons that shofars get blown.
I'm setting up an opt-in communal Elul Shofar Blowing - and I suspect you can make it work.
Sinai Shabbat Services
- By Tony Bryant
For the time being we will continue to hold FRIDAY evening services online – via Zoom only.
Normal Shabbat morning services will be hybrid; you may attend in person or via the Sinai streaming link. There is no need to book, but we will ask you to sign in on the day.
There are however a number of Shabbat services where special arrangements will be in place – the first of these will be SATURDAY 18 DECEMBER – details will be posted on the website.
We have in place a host of measures to ensure the safety and protection of all those involved, some of which may seem excessive and cumbersome. In line with Pikuach Nefesh these remain in force and need to be followed by all those attending services.
Do not attend services if you have any new cough or fever or have been notified via UK track and trace that you have been exposed to someone who has tested positive for COVID-19. If you appear ill in any way when you arrive, security has the right to deny entry. If you have any doubts or questions, please stay safe at home.
Masks are to be worn beginning before entry into the Sinai building and remain on for the entire time.
If you have an exemption from mask wearing you need to bring notification of this when you attend the service. We also ask that you strictly limit your movement within Sinai and remain highly conscientious of others.
Hand sanitizing stations are placed at entry points and throughout the building. Please be overly cautious and sanitize whenever passing a station. We also recommend you bring your own hand sanitizer so you do not have to move around in order to find a station if you are in need.
Please follow any additional instruction or direction given at any time by security, or those on duty in any capacity. We never wish to shame anyone in public, but if there is something happening that jeopardizes any of our safety measures, we will need to ask you to comply with out verbal requests.
Please read and follow all signs pertaining to COVID safety within the building.
Entry will be through the main Sinai entrance into the lobby. If you are in the car park or pedestrian entry and see another group getting ready to enter, please wait until that group has been checked in and then directed to their seats.
You will be asked to provide track and trace information (name and phone contact.)
There are arrows on the floor that direct you in and out of the Beit Knesset should you need to use the restrooms.
Please re-open all cubicle or room doors in the restrooms when you are finished so that the HEPA filters can filter the air and keep the environment safe.
Please return via the arrow path to your assigned seats in the Beit Knesset.
Singing and replying are normal and expected parts of Jewish services. Some responses such as “Yehei shemei Rabbah” in the Kaddish are traditionally even shouted. Because of how COVID is transmitted, however, we ask that all singing and replying be done no louder than normal conversational speaking in order to limit aerosolization.
Do not congregate in the foyer either before, during, or after the service.
Kiddush will be made by the service taker, there will not be any kiddush other than that. We had planned to have more communal forms of kiddush beginning this month, but this is now in abeyance given the emergence of the new variant.
At the conclusion of the service please remain in your seats until instructed to leave by the person on duty.
The exit back to the car park will be via the double-doors to the wheelchair ramp, please maintain social distancing when leaving.
Please note that in choosing to attend a service at Sinai, you are agreeing to comply with current government regulations and taking all possible precautions. We are in the midst of a global pandemic that is spread via asymptomatic carriers. If you choose to attend, you do so at your own risk understanding that there will be some level of COVID risk for the foreseeable future.
The Leeds Jewish Representative Council (LJRC) is hiring!!!
- By Susie Gordon
They are seeking someone who is passionate about the future of the Leeds Jewish community and is looking for a part time, flexible role.
Read more: The Leeds Jewish Representative Council (LJRC) is hiring!!!
Northern Chagigah
- By Sarita Robinson
We will be back at the Hawkhills in Easingwold, 5-7th November – put it in your diary!
A letter of thanks
- By Tom Kubie
The last 18 months or so have been difficult for all of us; Pauline and I have followed the Shabbat and Yom Tov services on stream and found them helpful and supportive.
Sinai will be re-opening for Shabbat morning services
- By Tony Bryant
For the past few months we have held some B’nei Mitzvot services in the synagogue, where attendance has been limited to the family and a small group of invited guests, all observing strict protocols including wearing masks, social distancing, and sanitizing. From 12 June we plan to hold Shabbat morning services in the synagogue, although streaming will continue.
Read more: Sinai will be re-opening for Shabbat morning services