Frequently Asked Questions

DOROT is Hebrew for “generations.” This campaign is rooted in the concept of “L’dor v’dor,” from generation to generation. DOROT helps fund our obligation to hand down traditions, values and teachings, and to work actively to improve our world for those to come.

Imagine our Congregation’s children, grandchildren and their grandchildren celebrating, learning and worshiping at Temple Sinai. Picture the vibrant life they’ll experience, from student art shows to classes for seniors, from group celebrations to individual worship and reflection. DOROT updates and brightens our building, adds clergy capacity, sends groups to Israel and children to camp, and ensures all these investments and our congregation itself endure.

Picture your own home at age 40 – was it or will it be time for an update?! Our building was constructed in 1985. While it has undergone various renovations over the years, it is clearly time to plan and execute a series of improvements.

The “kitchen mavens” have been hard at work to enable daily, weekly, and the most special of events to happen without interruption. Those efforts have extended the life of our weary appliances, adapted to our creative storage approaches, and made the kitchen work despite its shortcomings. Completing the improvements needed makes the kitchen a welcoming, comfortable and safer place for our many groups and events today and in the years to come.

At this moment Temple Sinai has the gift of an extraordinary Rabbi who does triple-duty as a Rabbi, a music-maker, and a teacher. Our dedicated and talented team provides invaluable support and ensures seamless day-to-day operations. The team’s expertise and commitment enable us to achieve exceptional results. We are proud of its ability to tackle challenges efficiently and maintain a high standard of excellence.

However, as our responsibilities and demands continue to grow, it has become clear that additional staff are essential to sustain and expand our impact. Bringing on more team members will ensure we can continue delivering exceptional support while meeting our organization's increasing needs.

Endowments support the mission and operations of religious and nonprofit institutions into perpetuity. They are funds of donated assets generating the income required to ensure continuity “from generation to generation.” Growing our endowment enables us to honor the vision of the founders of Temple Sinai, meet pressing needs and respond to unexpected expenses, and build an even brighter future for future generations.

DOROT is a “comprehensive” campaign and offers a surprisingly large number of ways to give: including: cash gifts, annual contributions and irrevocable bequests in wills. Added together these options represent a comprehensive campaign contribution. Putting the options together in a way that works for you makes it easier to stretch and to maximize the DOROT gift.

You can ensure that a gift is made to Temple Sinai after you are gone. Irrevocable bequests are counted in your campaign contribution. It is possible to designate specific investments, retirement funds, life insurance policies, etc. to be directed to Temple Sinai. Your own financial advisor can help you develop an approach that works best for you.

Building a long-term endowment to secure our future is one of the primary priorities of this campaign. Making a formal bequest in your will enables your participation long into the future, perhaps because current resources are limited and/or perhaps because the idea of a gift that supports our endowment and meets future needs is appealing.

DOROT is for generations past, present and future. Every type and amount of gift matters. When added together they offer the kind of shared future of learning, worship and community Temple Sinai exists to provide.

Capital campaigns roll out in stages, to ensure that leadership gifts are identified and lay the foundation for full participation and for meeting all identified needs. Over the course of 2025 we will be completing leadership gifts and offering updates and participation opportunities throughout our community. We look forward to having an opportunity for our volunteers to meet one-on-one with many congregants this year!

We anticipate wrapping up active campaign solicitations by January 1, 2026, and celebrating a successful campaign early in the new year.

Construction is expected to begin in May of 2026.

Be on the lookout for exciting news regarding the progress and promise of DOROT! Updates will be regularly shared via newsletter items and in campaign awareness events. The Temple Sinai website will offer campaign information and materials, some specifically available for leadership donors and, by summer 2025, available to the entire community. An official goal will not be announced until later this year.

We are part of the Reform Movement and follow its values. Temple Sinai has a long tradition of applying these values to our congregation and making them our own. We choose clergy and leadership that reflect these values. In making a gift for the long-term future of Temple Sinai, you are helping ensure that this continuity of values is maintained for the next generations.

Donors can contribute to the Dorot campaign over a 5-year pledge payment period. Should you wish to pay your full gift up front, you may do so. By offering a multi-year payment option, many donors will be able to contribute at higher levels. You decide how best to distribute your gift over the years of the campaign.