Richard and I joined Temple Sinai about 30 years ago, moving from another congregation in the area, primarily because we were drawn to Rabbi Lipman as an intellectual and spiritual leader. Our sons had
already celebrated their Bar Mitzvahs and Confirmations so there was no chance of our becoming involved in and meeting people through the religious school. At the time we knew only two couples who were
members, one of whom invited us to join Kallah Chai. What a gift that invitation has been!

Today – 30 years later – we consider this small group our central temple community and in many ways part of our extended family. We do everything possible to be free for our meetings held on the third Sunday
of the month (except when it changes!) when we engage in provocative discussions on topics that have ranged over the years from Torah study to Jews in the arts to finding spirituality — a perpetual search for “Kallah Chai-niks,” as we call ourselves. We celebrate holidays, and happy family events together and provide comfort and support to each other during illnesses and at times of mourning.

While I feel part of several “communities” at the temple – as a board member, as a member of the most recent B’nai Mitzvah class and as a participant in the WRJ retreat -the members of Kallah Chai remain my core community.

-Elaine Binder