While most of the older clergy are kind, many aspects of the congregation frustrating…read more Most services are often held in the chapel instead of the main sanctuary. The space becomes extremely crowded, making it difficult to move around and causing long delays getting in and out. The setup creates safety concerns in an emergency. Parts of the liturgy are recited and sung in English, which are unappealing and make it feel protestant. Shabbat meals are generally "kosher-style" rather than kosher, which is fine, but there have even been occasions where meat and dairy were served together. Children's programming is terrible. Saw kids being allowed to be disrespectful toward babysitters and teachers with no consequence, and there's very little emphasis on the kids actually learning. Children are regularly encouraged to do writing and crafts on Shabbat. They regularly alter their schedule to accommodate Christian holidays. For example, services may be canceled when Shabbat falls on Christmas, and Hanukkah programming almost never occur during Hanukkah when it's too near Christmas. They usually celebrate holidays on the shabbat closest instead of celebrating the actual holidays. Almost all programming is geared either toward families with young children or older adult. Communication can be difficult, and despite frequently describing itself as welcoming, that was not my personal experience.

Great synagogue great staff willing to help in every way possible only the best that I could sayread more

My friend and I came here for the interfaith LGBT+ seder last month, and had an interesting and fun…read moretime. What a cool, inclusive event. Wonderful to see, really. A feast was served after the ceremony, and it was amazing! As a veggie eater, I primarily filled my plate with shakshuka, roast potatoes, spinach and pecan salad, grilled vegetables, and matzo balls, with sinfully moist, rich chocolate cake for dessert. The event space could have been a tad less air-conditioned. If I go back, I'll bring my coat.

Founded ca. 1871, Temple Sinai Reform Congregation has played an important part, along with the…read moreother Jewish congregations, in the history of New Orleans. Built ca. 1927, the congregation's Sanctuary stands as a stunning work of art, if not a glorious space for worship and the making of music in a non-worship setting, though it could be safely said the atmosphere this past Sunday evening there was at least a bit reverent, if not downright holy. The Leipzig Youth Orchestra on its 2009 tour of Texas, Louisiana, and Mississippi made a stop in New Orleans and on its programme was the oratorio "Elijah" by Felix Mendelssohn. The choir the orchestra put together comprised folks from Houston, New Orleans, and other places, and yesterday, we had our big show in the Big Easy at this remarkable place. Octagonal in shape and not re-done in any manner since its construction (save for the introduction of lights and speakers), the room boasts seating for 800, stained-glass-windows, a gigantic wood ceiling, a granite (?) Ark bigger than my house and a timeless quality that took me to another time. Performing "Elijah" there was a spiritual experience, to be sure. And while the scourge of carpet is ever-present as well as cloth seats, the solid walls, balconies, and ceiling ensure a true presence of sound, though I have to wonder how things are when the place is full. The hospitality of the people there to us was peerless. When next in NOLA, visit Temple Sinai and leave knowing you have laid eyes on one of the obscure glories of all Louisiana.