Temple Sinai (Houston)

Temple Sinai is a Reform Jewish Synagogue located in Houston, Texas. It primarily serves Jewish residents on the west side of the city as well as a number of western suburbs, including Katy, Cinco Ranch and Sugar Land. The congregation is composed of more than 200 families and is led by Rabbi Annie Belford. The synagogue is a member of the Union for Reform Judaism (URJ) and its youth group is associated with the North American Federation of Temple Youth (NFTY).

History

The congregation was founded in 1979 by nine families seeking to establish a Reform Jewish presence in western Harris County. Its first Rabbi, Abraham Shaw served in a part-time capacity until 1984, when he was succeeded by Rabbi Howard Rabinowitz. The congregation experienced significant growth in the 1990s, resulting in the hiring of its first full-time rabbi, Todd Thalblum, in 1999, and the construction of a new building. Rabbi Thalblum served until 2008 and was succeeded by Rabbi Barry Diamond on an interim basis until a new rabbi was selected. In 2009, Temple Sinai hired Rabbi Annie Belford who is one of the first women to serve as a solo rabbi for a Houston congregation.^[1]

References

External links

• Temple Sinai website
• Union for Reform Judaism website
• North American Federation of Temple Youth website

Coordinates: 29°45′41″N 95°37′52″W / 29.7615°N 95.6310°W / 29.7615; -95.6310