The month of May was filled with joy as Temple Sinai of Roslyn honored both its High School Seniors and its Confirmation Class at ceremonies recognizing their achievements.
On May 11, 29 students,were recognized at Temple Sinai’s 61st Senior Ceremony.
their accomplishments after the Senior Ceremony. (Photo courtesy of Temple Sinai)
Most of these soon-to-be high school graduates attended Temple Sinai Nursery School, and have now completed their formal Religious School education. For the past two years, the teens have prepared for living a Jewish life outside of the temple community.
They met with Rabbis Michael White and Alex Kress to discuss current events and how these issues might impact their lives, and they learned how to make informed decisions through a Jewish lens.
The sessions with the Rabbis were an open forum where the students were able to share their own thoughts and feelings. Although this group will be heading off to college this fall, they have the opportunity to be part of the Temple Sinai College Connection, which offers ways to stay in touch, including reunions on school breaks, and programs of special interest to college students.
During the ceremony, students spoke about what graduating from Temple Sinai meant to them. Jared Breitstein shared how his years spent as part of the temple community helped him become the person he is today.
Once a “shy, chubby kid who was bullied,” Jared has involved himself in temple life, culminating with a trip to Israel this past February with 32 other teens, where he made life-long bonds with both his peers and staff members.
as Rabbi Michael White offers a blessing. (Photo courtesy of Temple Sinai)
Bryn Goldstein shared how being part of the Temple Sinai community led to her involvement in social action and causes that are important to her. Bryn has lobbied in Washington, D.C., about climate change, went on a temple trip to Puerto Rico to build houses, and volunteered in Orlando at Give Kids the World, a getaway for children with life-threatening illnesses and their families.
“I know each of you has something special to share with this world,” Lulu Belferder, Director of Youth Engagement at Temple Sinai, said. “Allow yourself to continue to develop and grow into the person you want to be. Focus on the people, places, and events that bring a smile to your face and happiness to those around you.”
On May 20, twenty Temple Sinai 10th graders were part of the 67th Confirmation Class. The teens invested an entire year to study, explore, and learn alongside Rabbi White through the Confirmation program.
Over the course of the year, they discovered how age-old Jewish texts could help them understand and respond to current-day issues. Confirmation, which takes place on the second day of Shavuot, acknowledges the students’ commitment to the Torah and allegiance to the Jewish people.
According to Belferder, “Each of the students has gained a deeper understanding and a stronger commitment to the Jewish community.”
Rabbi White says that “Confirmation gives our temple community the opportunity to show our gratitude for these exceptional young adults, and to offer prayers that they will always find a home within the Household of Israel.”
“Temple Sinai is a safe-haven for diversity,” Confirmand Emily Tucker said during her speech. “One of the most amazing things about this temple is how this value has been instilled in my peers and I from such a young age. We have been taught that diversity should be a driving force that unites people rather than something that forges a wall between groups based on ethnic background, religion, or sexual orientation.”
Classmate Alex Horowitz echoed Emily’s sentiment — “For me, being a good Jew comes from treating all as equals, understanding your history, and helping the world in whatever way you can. At least for me, these three aspects guide me through my life as a young Jewish adult.”
