Rabbi, Staff, and Leadership
Rabbi Valerie Cohen
Welcome to Temple Emanuel Sinai. Our Jewish synagogue home in Worcester, Massachusetts is not only warm and welcoming, it is our extended Jewish Family.
When my family arrived here in the summer of 2014, we were looking for a new Jewish home and family. A warm community was essential, since we are uprooted Southerners who experienced a real winter for the first time. Along with my husband Jonathan and my children Gabriel and Marisa, we have all found what we needed at Temple Emanuel Sinai.
I grew up in North and Central Florida, received my Bachelors in Public Relations at the University of Florida (Go Gators!), and after I was ordained from Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion, I spent my first 15 years as a rabbi in Memphis, Tennessee and Jackson, Mississippi. I never imagined myself in New England.
My presence here is b’sheirt – meant to be – for myself, my family, and for my partnership with this community. I am humbled to be guiding the congregation through our growing years after a successful integration process. I love teaching and learning with adults and children who are hungry for Jewish education. And I am excited to create innovative and accessible avenues for worship and spirituality through the vision of our members.
Most of all, I am inspired by the people I meet who have built our Temple Emanuel Sinai community and assure its vibrancy. Through baby namings and B’nai Mitzvah, weddings and funerals, casual conversations and serious talks at hospital bedsides, I am honored to be invited into people’s lives. Most of all, I am lifted by the laughter and smiles we share together as, in all these ways, we are building meaningful relationships with each other, with ourselves, and with God.
Come by and get to know us.
rabbivaleriecohen@gmail.com
Music Schedule 2021-2022
As part of our year of musical exploration we are hosting a wide range of guest cantors, cantorial soloists, and – as part of our visiting musicians series – Jewish folk/rock stars throughout the year.
DATE TIME SOLOIST
Mar 25, 2022 7:30 PM Josh Shriber
Apr 1, 2022 7:30 PM Josh Warshawsky
April 8, 2022 6:30 PM Cantor Shira Nafshi
Apr 15, 2022 N/A NO SERVICE – 1st Seder
Apr 22, 2022 7:30 PM Jodi Blankstein & Adam Dehmer
Apr 29, 2022 7:30 PM Gitit Shoval
May 6, 2022 7:30 PM Naomi Less
May 13, 2022 6:30 PM Gitit Shoval
May 14, 2022 10:30 AM Cantor Shira Nafshi
May 20, 2022 7:30 PM Cantor Shira Nafshi
May 21, 2022 10:30 AM Cantor Shira Nafshi
May 27, 2022 7:30 PM Rabbi Rebecca Gutterman
Jun 3, 2022 7:30 PM Cantor Sheila Nesis
Jun 10, 2022 6:30 PM Rabbi Rebecca Gutterman
Jun 17, 2022 7:30 PM Cantor Sheila Nesis
Jun 24, 2022 7:30 PM Cantor Shira Nafshi
Our new full time Music Director and Cantorial Soloist will start on July 1, 2022.
Our Staff
Sean Morgan – Temple Administrator
Christa Benoit – Office Assistant/Campaign Administrator
Steve Contois – Caretaker
Jessica Lamothe – Administrative Assistant
Talia Mugg – Religious School Director
Board of Directors
Paula Selvitella – President
Debra Shear – 1st Vice President
Deborah Bunker – 2nd Vice President
Jonah Cuker – Treasurer
Ellen Levitt – Secretary
Until June 2022
Michelle Landry
Renee Malowitz
Mark Waxler
Jesse Caplan
Until June 2023
Germán Chiriboga
Ian Rifkin
Stuart Sadick
Carla Volturo
Core Committees
Allan Shriber – Finance
David Persky – Fundraising/Endowments
Karen Thomsen and Merilee Freeman – Leadership/Nominating
Patti Gould – Lifelong Learning
TBD – Membership
Dan Margolis and Yael Savage – Social Action
Karen Kagan – Worship
Live stream
Watch streaming events and services live on the website!
Join Us
Learn more about participating in Temple events and services and becoming a member.
Giving
Your donations — at whatever level is comfortable for you — will ensure that Temple Emanuel Sinai continues to deliver high quality events and services.