History

Temple Sinai was established in 1958 as an outgrowth of the Sharon School of Jewish Education. Having no denominational affiliation, the group determined that the time had come for its new congregation to join the Union of American Hebrew Congregations in order to represent the Reform movement in Sharon.

The first membership meeting was held at the former Bell House (now the Chabad Center) on February 26, 1958, at which time 98 families paid a $10 membership fee to join Temple Sinai. Arrangements were made to use the Bell House for religious services and school.

Dr. Joseph Sacks was the first president, and Rabbi Milton Weissberg, of blessed memory, became the first spiritual leader. Cantor Morris Gordon, of blessed memory, became the first cantor in 1958 and remained cantor until his retirement in 1977.

In less than a year, the Bell House became too small to hold the growing congregation. A Building Committee was established, a professional fundraiser was hired, an architect was commissioned, and land for the building was purchased. A total of $96,000 was pledged by the congregation and bids were put out for construction. The proposed building was to be two stories high with a full basement, making it essentially a three-story facility.

The lowest bid for constructing the Temple came in at $141,000 forcing the congregation to elect to build a smaller facility with the money available. The Ames Street building was dedicated in January 1960, although it had not been finished by that date.

The parking lot next to the building had been gravel and stone into the 1960's, but with a very substantial additional donation, the parking area was graded, paved and landscaped.

Once again, in the early part of the 1970's, the facility could no longer handle the number of families who had joined. Additional classrooms and a new sanctuary and lobby area were added. Parking again became a problem, especially during the High Holy Days and on special occasions. As a result, property was purchased allowing the Temple membership access from Cottage Street and space in the back of the building for additional parking.

By 1998, the congregation had grown to almost 500 families, and it was time once again to expand our facilities. In 1999, a Capital Campaign Committee was established along with a Building Committee, and the congregation voted to build a new synagogue on Canton Street in Sharon. In December 2000, driving between the raindrops, the Temple Sinai family moved from Ames Street into its new building on Canton Street, with a parade of Torahs through the streets of Sharon.