presenter spotlight Temple Sinai Players

Their members, many of whom are second, third and even fourth generation Temple Sinai families, actively participate in all they have to offer, from Shabbat and weekday services to Adult Education classes and active Men’s Club, Sisterhood, Hazak, and Youth programs.

Each year, more than 100 congregational and community members volunteer their time, energy, and talents to produce quality theater in the synagogue, while enjoying each other’s company, raising funds, and fostering respect for the synagogue in the life of the community.

HOW IT STARTED

• It was in 1940 that a group of 25 women met to discuss the religious, cultural, and educational needs of the rapidly growing community of Philadelphia’s West Oak Lane neighborhood. There, the nucleus of our Sisterhood was first formed, followed by the formation of our Men’s Club.
• ​In 1942, Temple Sinai rented a former food market at Ogontz Avenue and Washington Lane. Working together, congregants transformed the facility into a place of worship which was used for Temple Sinai’s first High Holy Day services. Over 250 congregants attended and worshiped with the congregation’s new spiritual leader, Rabbi Sidney Greenberg. It didn’t take long for the Temple Sinai family to outgrow that building.
• Following a campaign which included selling “bricks” door-to-door, a groundbreaking ceremony was held in 1947 at the synagogue at Washington Lane & Limekiln Pike. In 1951, a new school building was completed, coinciding with the arrival of Cantor Nathan Chaitovsky.
• By the 1960’s, as the suburbs were being developed, a group of Temple Sinai families became residents of Upper Dublin Township. Looking for a spiritual facility closer to their own homes, they held High Holy Day services in the Jarrettown Methodist Church in 1965. That congregation, known as “Suburban Temple of Montgomery County,” merged with Temple Sinai in 1967.
• When many of Temple Sinai’s families continued their exodus to the outlying areas, a seven-acre site was chosen in 1971 for a new school building at the corner of Limekiln Pike and Dillon Road. Seven years later, a sanctuary was built and the synagogue moved to its current location.
• The Mission Statement of the Temple Sinai Players provides that its principal purpose “is to ensure the creation and delivery of a high quality musical theater production for multiple and beneficial purposes: 1) the production will raise significant funds for the synagogue through sales of an ad book, ticket sales and concessions; 2) it will entertain the community; and 3) through enhanced good will and quality programming, the production will draw individuals to the synagogue and increase membership.” True to this statement, the synagogue has produced high-quality theater for 50 years, entertaining the community, involving all segments of the congregation both under the footlights and behind the scenes, and enhancing its reputation in the general community.

YAPSODY USER SINCE: 2016

Jill Florin, co-producer at the community theater group came across Yapsody in 2016 while looking for an online ticketing system that would help the theater group manage discount implementation, provide reserved seating to attendees and conduct pre sales seamlessly.

PLAN: Platinum Tier

THEIR EXPERIENCE

Co-producer of the community theater group Jill Florin is extremely pleased with the service Yapsody has provided. “I like the report availability. It shows you a quick glance or a more in-depth view.” She states she finds the platform very easy-to-use. “I would highly recommend Yapsody to anyone that is looking for a ticket site that has many options, and has great customer service. I will definitely continue to use Yapsody in the future for our shows,” she adds.

Check out their case study here.