Sisterhood of Temple Israel has long been recognized as an accomplished group of women, intrinsically involved in all aspects of the life of our synagogue. For the past 77 years, Sisterhood has been instrumental in supporting our Temple, our Temple Family and our Community.

Our Sisterhood stands are these three pillars:  Sisterhood, Spirituality and Social Action. Whether we are writing postcards in support of Women’s Reproductive Rights, preparing and serving at Oneg Shabbats and Kiddushes for services and special occasions, organizing a dinner or luncheon for a festival service or a community seder, supporting our Religious School, providing decorations for our children to use in the Sukkah, organizing rides and assistance or providing meals to members in need, preparing a home for shiva, planning a fund raiser, putting together Purim Shalach Manot bags, maintaining a Judaica Shop with beautiful items for the convenience of our members, creating a congregational New Year’s card or welcoming new members with a personally delivered Shabbat basket of wine, challah, mezuzah and prayer kit, our Sisterhood is committed to supporting the entire congregation of Temple Israel.

Over the years, Sisterhood has been there to help provide items needed by the synagogue.  In addition to our annual financial commitment, we have purchased new window treatments for the social hall, funded new wireless microphones for the sanctuary and contributed to the cost of the new carpeting, and provided significant necessary funding for video filming and streaming religious services  We continue to supply all necessary paper goods, linens and kitchen supplies, provide wine and challah for every Kiddush, cover the cost of all unsponsored onegs, and take care of laundering all linens for the social hall.

But our commitment does not stop there; we are also deeply committed to our community.  Sisterhood has donated time and materials to knit and crochet with residents of Sunrise Living and Eger Nursing Home.  We organize monthly Shabbat & Holiday celebrations at The Brielle Assisted Living facility. We do cook-ins for Project Hospitality and support them by donating food, clothing, feminine hygiene products, money and volunteers to their Food Pantry.  We give monthly Tsedakah to charitable organizations around the world.  We participate in fundraising activities and walks for Breast Cancer Awareness, Suicide Prevention, Autism Speaks, Mogen David Adom and The American Heart Association, among others. Our sisterhood is a proud member of Women of Reform Judaism, which allows the women in our sisterhood to be a part of the community of tens of thousands of like-minded women, who advocate with one voice and prove that we, as women of Reform Judaism, truly are stronger together.   We annually set aside funds to send representatives from our Sisterhood to WRJ and URJ (Union of Reform Judaism) events so that they can learn from and network with other sisterhoods and Reform Jewish leaders in order to help our own organization grow.

Some of the many wonderful reasons to join Sisterhood:

• We are a diverse membership of unique women, ranging in age from twenty-something to 90-something. Some of us work, some of us are retired. Some of us have children or grandchildren, some of us don’t.
• It’s an opportunity for you to meet new women, make new friends, catch up and stay connected with long-time friends.
• You can attend monthly meetings with educational programming to keep your mind sharp and continue learning, or you can skip the meetings and join us at services, onegs and other events, whether in person or electronically.
• You can contribute to community service projects to help others who are less fortunate by participating or making a donation.
• You’ll be able to create, plan and participate in many new and exciting programs.
• You can be part of a larger Jewish Community, including WRJ
• Our programs and activities add an important dimension of fun and learning to our members.
• We provide an outlet for the creative energy, talent and leadership skills of our members.

We encourage you to become a member of this dynamic and diverse group of women dedicated to serving the needs of our synagogue, our youth and our congregation, giving back to our Jewish community. Sisterhood Membership is open to all female members of Temple Israel Reform Congregation of Staten Island.

Whether you come to meetings, attend programs, help organize and plan events, serve at an Oneg Shabbat or just contribute your dues, you are choosing to support Sisterhood.  Your levels of participation are up to you, but please remember that a dynamic, warm and inspired group of women awaits you. Whatever you choose, our Temple and our Sisterhood will benefit from your support.

If you are brand new to Temple Israel, your membership in our Sisterhood your first year is complimentary.  We look forward to having you join us at all our meetings and programs.

Sisterhood 2025-2026 calendar click here.

Sisterhood application click here.

In Sisterhood,

Jodi Siegel & Shariann Ganz

Co-Presidents

Jodi Siegel                                                                     Shariann Ganz

Co-President                                                                 Co-President