We had considered joining Temple Sinai (TS) in the fall of 2019 and then covid struck the world with force. We decided to delay our move from a local temple to Temple Sinai until religious school resumed face to face.

Moving on from our prior temple was a difficult one as we had many years of membership there, but we knew it was time for a fresh start with TS being so close (0.2 mi.). We have a next-door neighbor member and their child works at TSRS. We also knew the children would have plenty of classmates from Lafayette Elementary School. Jason’s mother Patty also made the move as a new member.

We were welcomed with open arms by clergy, teachers, and members. From the new member reception to the celebration of Sukkot where Niya got to shake the Lulav at Sukkot with Rabbi Roos’ direction, we have always felt cared for and valued at TS as an interfaith, interreligious, and multiracial family. Both Niya and Baba had wonderful consecrations and we got to rock out to Rabbi Diamondstein in concert for the last night of Hannukah.

We are so thankful for joining the TS community and being filled with such positive and loving energy during such a difficult time with the pandemic. We feel that being so close to TS its members, clergy, and staff have made us neighbors in the truest sense. The late Fred Rogers once said,

“When we look for what’s best in the person we happen to be with at the moment, we’re doing what G-d does, so in appreciating our neighbor, we’re participating in something truly sacred.”

We look forward to sharing many more moments with our neighbors at TS!

Jason Fabrikant & Joanna Lo, Parents of Niya & Baba