Temple Sinai (Washington, D.C.) Explained

Temple Sinai
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Religious Affiliation:Reform Judaism
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Organisational Status:Synagogue
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Functional Status:Active
Location:3100 Military Rd NW, Washington, DC 20015
Country:United States
Map Type:Washington, D.C.
Map Size:250
Map Relief:1
Coordinates:38.9606°N -77.0628°W
Architecture Type:Synagogue
Established:1951
Year Completed:1957
Date Destroyed:-->
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Temple Sinai is a Reform Jewish synagogue in Washington, D.C.

History

In 1950, a group of seven families joined to form a congregation, believing the Reform Jewish movement to have become too doctrinaire. On April 1, 1951, the group chose the name Temple Sinai and was officially chartered with the Union of American Hebrew Congregations (UAHC), now known as the Union for Reform Judaism. In 1952, Dean Francis B. Sayre Jr. invited the congregation to use the space at the Bethlehem Chapel of the National Cathedral. In 1953, the congregation purchased a property in the Chevy Chase neighborhood of Northwest DC. The cornerstone of Temple Sinai was laid in October 1957.[1]

In 2014, Rabbi Adam Rosenwasser was hired as an associate rabbi. A gay man, Rabbi Rosenwasser was the first rabbi of a DC synagogue to have a spouse of the same sex.[2]

In Fall 2023, Temple Sinai built an extension to accommodate the congregation's growing membership. In 2022, the synagogue had 1,140 member families.[3] [4]

Notable members

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Our History . Temple Sinai . 2024-02-13.
  2. Web site: In a first for major D.C. pulpits, a rabbi comes with a same-sex spouse . . 2024-02-12.
  3. Web site: Temple Sinai is building a place to fit all those people . . 2024-02-12.
  4. Web site: Here’s how synagogues were building community in 2022 . . 2024-02-13.
  5. Web site: Jamie Raskin on Grief and Gratitude . . 2024-02-12.