At Sinai, we connect people to Judaism, each other, Israel, and the world.

We are committed to halakhah (Jewish Law) as an expression of Jewish values in contemporary society.
We honor and encourage each individual’s Jewish journey.
We challenge ourselves to grow Jewishly.
We welcome all types of families and individuals into our community.
We act with compassion, respect, and kindness.

Come enjoy the warmth and special ‘ruach’ (spirit) of Congregation Sinai!

Our History

In the early 1950s, several families that had been meeting as a traditional minyan in Temple Emanu-El’s Social Hall decided it was time to form their own synagogue. With Rabbi Gitin’s support, the idea quickly took form. The founding members chose the name Congregation Sinai because it paralleled the Jews’ wandering in the desert before their arrival at Mount Sinai. After several years of assembling in temporary locations, Sinai’s current property was purchased in 1956. There, Sinai flourished. In the mid-1980’s, Congregation Sinai affiliated with the Conservative Movement. While membership declined in the 1990s, the past decade has seen significant growth in membership and energy at the shul.

In 2006, a new campus was built from the ground up, including a sanctuary inspired by the beauty of Jerusalem and modeled on the Tabernacle that the Israelites carried with them in the wildernes. Comprised of beautiful and inspiring areas of worship as well as functional spaces, the new building exudes a comfortable and welcoming atmosphere for adults and children alike. Religious services have been expanded including special services for children of all ages and programs such as Torah for Tots, Family Services, and Torah ‘N Tefillah. Youth programs run the gamut from Ima & Me to Jr. Kadima, Kadima and USY, and Sinai hosts the only Jewish Girl Scout troop nearby. The Sinai Nursery School continues to be a draw throughout the Bay Area. Other areas of focus have included Adult Education, Social Action, and Information and Technology.

The Sinai community remains strong and vibrant, and over recent years it has been strengthened and invigorated by new leadership. Rabbi Joshua Berkenwald joined Sinai in August 2007 as its spiritual leader. His energy, creativity, and enthusiasm embody and engender the passion of the shul. The following summer, Joelle Pluemer took the role of Executive Director, and in August 2016, the congregation further expanded its education offerings to encompass youth and adult education under the leadership of Michelle Jenkins.

Congregation Sinai is lay-led, multi-generational, and egalitarian. It continues to thrive due to the efforts of the many members who are dedicated to fostering this close-knit, welcoming community.

Congregation Sinai is here because of the efforts of individuals and families who dreamed and created a close-knit congregation that honors Jewish tradition. Their hard work and generosity ensured that a special congregation is alive today. Now it is time to guarantee its success as we experience the next 50 years together. Come to Sinai and experience the warmth of our Sinai family. From our caring and charismatic staff to our friendly and hospitable members. All are welcome.

Sinai Staff

Rabbi Josh Berkenwald

Rabbi Josh Berkenwald joined Congregation Sinai in San Jose, California, in August 2007. He is proud to be the spiritual leader of a diverse congregation that embraces people of all ages and backgrounds who seek meaningful ways to be Jewish.
Rabbi Berkenwald received his ordination from the Jewish Theological Seminary of America in New York City in 2007. He earned his B.A. in Foreign Affairs from the University of Virginia in 1997, which included a year of study in Jerusalem. Rabbi Berkenwald was born in Atlanta, Georgia, grew up in Mercer Island, Washington, and has also lived in Vancouver, Canada.
Rabbi Berkenwald lives in San Jose with his wife, Dana, and children, Noa and Solly. He enjoys playing acoustic and electric guitar, running, hiking, reading, watching movies, and cooking when he can find the time.
You can read some of Rabbi Berkenwald's past sermons at his blog, located at www.rebyehoshua.org or watch recordings here.
Email Rabbi Berkenwald or phone **(408) 264-8544**

Joelle Pluemer, Executive Director

**Joelle Pluemer** is the Executive Director at Congregation Sinai. Her responsibilities include the management of all of Sinai’s operations and facilities, including finance, membership, communications, programming, legacy giving and all administrative services. A former accountant and consultant, Joelle came to Sinai in 2008 with years of experience in the South Bay Jewish community, both on a professional and volunteer basis at South Peninsula Hebrew Day School and Women’s Philanthropy of the Jewish Federation of Silicon Valley.
Joelle embraces her community, her family and friends with warmth, dedication and commitment. Joelle has lived in the Bay Area since moving to the U.S with her family at age 14. She and her husband Andy have two sons who also enjoy being a part of our Sinai community.
Email **Joelle** or phone **(408) 264-8543**

Ifat Kantorovich, Director of Early Childhood Education

**Ifat Kantorovich** is the Director of Early Childhood Education at Sinai Nursery School. Ifat holds a Bachelor of Arts in Behavioral Science from Ben Gurion University and Child Development Program Director Permit. Ifat has many years of experience teaching both children and adults. She has been working at Sinai Nursery School since 2007. She is proud to be part of a quality team of professional teachers who recognize and values the importance of Jewish early childhood education.
Ifat is happily married with two daughters and two dogs. She enjoys spending time with her family, cooking, baking, reading, and watching movies.
Email **Ifat** or phone **(408) 264-8486**

Michelle Jenkins, Director of Congregational Learning

**Michelle Jenkins** is the Director of Congregational Learning, primarily responsible for running the Congregation Sinai Religious School, the Sinai Limmud La’ad (Lifelong Jewish Learning) program, and supporting SJCUSY. Originally from the New York/New Jersey area, she has spent most of her adult life south of the Mason-Dixon Line. Michelle has a B.A. in Biology from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, and an M.A. in Jewish Education from Baltimore Hebrew University. Since earning her degree, Michelle has held positions as Education Director of the Martin and Mildred Paver Religious School of Temple Beth Sholom in Sarasota, FL, and Principal of the High School and Midrasha program of Har Zion Temple, Narberth, PA. Most recently, she has served as the Coordinator of the Baltimore Hebrew Institute at Towson University while also teaching for a Conservative religious school and a Reform supplementary high school program.
When she is not working, Michelle enjoys hanging out with her adorable Dalmatian, Rocky. Michelle joined Congregation Sinai in July 2016 and feels lucky every day to be part of the Congregation Sinai community.
Email **Michelle** or phone **(408) 264-1229**

Dana Greitzer Gotlieb, Rabbinic Intern

In Spring 2024, Congregation Sinai proudly welcomed **Dana Greitzer Gotlieb** as our Rabbinic Intern. Dana is a student at the Academy for Jewish Religion (AJR) in Yonkers, NY, where she is pursuing Rabbinic Ordination and a Master of Arts Degree in Jewish Studies. Dana is a poet and an artist. She loves the Hebrew language and Israeli culture and is particularly interested in serving as a bridge between American and Israeli Jews, whose Jewish experiences, practices, and assumptions can often be quite different.
Dana has lived in San Jose with her family since 2008. She served as the West Coast Director at the World Zionist Organization, where she introduced pluralistic Jewish and Israeli cultures through educational content and community-bridging programs. Prior to that, she had a career as a Graphic Designer in Israel, where she was born and raised. Read her blogs at the Times of Israel.

LEADERSHIP

Congregation Sinai has wonderful volunteer leaders serving as officers and on our Board, chairing our committees, and leading our services. Take a look at who is doing what, and use their contact info to reach them and to volunteer yourself!