DDDDedicated to Temple Sinai

Rabbi Appleby during Torah Study Is parking in the Torah or Talmud ? Rabbi Appleby with one of the Torahs of Temple Bat Yahm

Rabbi Appleby’s Vision Rabbi Appleby envisions a partnership of mutual respect committed to create a sacred and caring community — a community which prays together, studies together, and does deeds of loving kindness together. Serving as a spiritual and moral leader, a teacher, and a pastoral caregiver that touches the hearts, minds, and souls of congregants. Rabbi… and Attorney Rabbi Appleby, before becoming a Rabbi, received her B.A. in Psychology from Stanford University and her Juris Doctor degree from the USC Gould School of Law. She served in the Los Angeles County Public Defender’s Office and the Juvenile Division of the Superior Court in Inglewood. She received her Master of Arts in Hebrew Letters in 2005 and Rabbinic Ordination in 2007 from the Hebrew Union College – Jewish Institute of Religion in Los Angeles where she received numerous awards for academic excellence. Caring for Our Community Creating a community where we truly care for and help one another is of the highest priority for Rabbi Appleby. Her background includes pastoral counseling at the UCLA Hospital; creating a monthly Rosh Chodesh group; working with counselors at Jewish camps; and conceiving and implemented a Prison Project reaching out to Jewish inmates. At Temple Bat Yahm, in Newport Beach, Rabbi Appleby led the dramatic expansion of the Adult Learning and Education programs, including Holiday teachings, programs for grandparents, and special programs on Jewish prayer. She worked directly with the Youth Programs of TBY and was also the clergy leader of the Social Action Programs. Personal Notes Rabbi Appleby was President of the Sisterhood of Temple Sinai in Oakland, where they developed an award-winning literacy project with their Social Action Committee. A former resident of Irvine, California, she now lives in Reno, Nevada with her husband Jonathan Leo, who is an attorney, and they have two adult sons. Reflections “I envision a rabbinate in which I serve not only as a partner but also as a spiritual and moral leader, a teacher, and a pastoral caregiver. My hope is to be a leader who touches the hearts, minds, and souls of congregants; one who inspires and empowers people of all ages in their own Jewish journeys; and one who comforts and guides people through difficult and confusing times.” Rabbi Appleby enjoys a moment during Shabbat services outdoors in the Warsaw Family Amphitheater at Temple Bat Yahm.

Jake Margolis Emal: jake.margolis@sbcglobal.net Jacob Margolis has served on the Board of Trustees since July 2005, first as Treasurer, and currently as President since July of 2007. Jake grew up in Baltimore and received a strong Jewish education, serving as valedictorian of his graduating class at the large, conservative Chizuk Amuno congregation in 1975. He had his Bar Mitzvah in Israel and also spent 6 weeks on a kibbutz in Israel in 1977. Jake is a geologist specializing in gold exploration and has worked in the mineral exploration and mining business for over 25 years. He has one daughter, Hannah. “The last two years have seen significant changes at Temple Sinai. We completed our new building additions and renovations between mid 2007 and early 2008, we had the retirement of Rabbi Myra Soifer after 25 years of service to the Congregation, and we completed a nearly one-year rabbinic search, culminating in the hiring of Rabbi Appleby in July of 2009. I and the rest of the Board look forward to continue guiding and managing Temple Sinai. Most importantly, Temple Sinai is a vibrant congregation, blessed with having a large percentage of our congregants as active members who initiate, plan and take part in activities. It is a membership that is tolerant and that has shown the ability to solve problems.”

Tracy Bartlett
Email: luvzjrz@aol.com

I want to take this opportunity to introduce myself to those of you who don’t already know me. My name is Tracy Bartlett, and I’ve been a member of Temple Sinai for the last 11 years. I began working in the Religious School as an unofficial aide in the Kindergarten class where Heather, my youngest, attended her first official Religious School class. Crystal, my oldest, was continuing her Religious School education in the 3rd grade. The next year I was asked to teach the 1st grade. Both of my girls went to Sunday School here at Temple Sinai, where they had their consecration, naming, and B’not Mitzvah.

I love working with children, and I guess my history proves it. I was a Camp Fire Girl Counselors Aide since I was 13. I spent 6 weeks at camp with children as young as 1st grade through 7/8th grade. When I was 15½ I became a Camp Counselor with my own Aide. I did this every summer for the next 3 years. I had a group of 7-10 girls in a cabin each week and we had all sorts of activities. There was arts and crafts, singing, hiking, swimming, archery, fishing, and canoeing—just to name a few. And one year, young boys were also added to the Camp Fire program and got to come for a week!

I started working in a Pre-School, called Palo Alto, when I moved to Arizona. I had a classroom of fifteen 3-year-olds. In the summer there was a mini-camp where children 6 and older could go out on “field trips”. I had a group of 15 children ranging from ages 6-10 who went to places like the Wrigley’s Museum, the Fire Truck Museum, and once we even went to see the Senate in action. I enjoyed it so much that, when I moved back to Reno, I went to work for KinderCare where I worked as a co-teacher in the 3 year old class. One year I was asked to be the Assistant Director where my duties included Accounts Receivables and balancing, scheduling teachers, ordering the food we used, and helping wherever the Director needed me. I was Assistant for 2 years when the Director left and asked me to take the job. This year I hope to help you and your child(ren) have a great experience at Temple Sinai Religious School. If I don’t already know you, feel free to introduce yourself.

2009-2010 Board of Trustees

Rabbi Soifer gives the blessing at the groundbreaking ceremony for our new Social Hall construction -- June 30, 2007.

Rabbi Myra Soifer, Emerita Email: MyRabbiReno@yahoo.com Rabbi Myra Soifer served as Temple Sinai's rabbi for 25 years (from August 1984 through June 2009). Prior to coming to Reno, Rabbi Soifer served as the Assistant Rabbi at Temple Sinai in New Orleans, Louisiana. She was ordained in 1978, by the Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion in Cincinnati, Ohio. Rabbi Soifer's activities at Temple Sinai in Reno included services of worship and life cycle, teaching, home and hospital visits, community lectures, and private counseling. During her tenure, the congregation granted Rabbi Soifer three sabbaticals, which she spent in renewed study of Jewish texts. She is the author of numerous published articles on a variety of Jewish topics. Retired on June 30, 2009, Rabbi Soifer retains the title "Rabbi Emerita of Temple Sinai" and, although she is currently exploring adventures both near and far, she has been granted life-time membership at our Temple.