During his 32 years as our Senior Rabbi, Jamie Gibson has guided Temple Sinai to become a sacred community of inspiration, innovation, and inclusion. To honor his years of spiritual leadership, teaching, and social justice, it is fitting that we, as a community, write a new Torah scroll that will be dedicated to him. And in our continuing spirit of innovation and inclusion, our Torah will be written by a soferet, a female scribe — a first for Pittsburgh! 

As well as honoring Rabbi Gibson, the Sacred Words | Sacred Connections Project will connect each of us with the past, present, and future of the Jewish People and Temple Sinai and ensure the continuation of our most sacred document. 

Our hope is that every member of our community will take part in this project by sponsoring a letter, word, column, passage, Torah Portion, or entire book. Your participation also can be dedicated to a loved one or a cause that is important to you. Click to learn more about how you can participate.

Join us for Soferet Linda Coppleson’s first visit to Temple Sinai. Come out to meet her and watch Rabbi Gibson write the Bereshit, the first words of the Torah to begin this year-long venture. 

The evening will feature a festive catered dessert reception, Havdalah, music, a presentation by Soferet Coppleson, who is one of only six female scribes in the world. Temple Sinai’s Torah will be only the 21st Torah scribed by a woman. 

Please RSVP below to help with planning for this special evening.