About Us

Sinai Temple is at the center of Jewish life in Champaign-Urbana. The only community synagogue in town, we welcome and serve about 280 families with backgrounds that are Reform, Conservative, Orthodox, traditional, secular, and cultural. We are affiliated with the Reform movement, and our diverse membership defines who we are as a Temple family.

We strive to make Jewish life inclusive, enjoyable and attractive for members of all ages. Throughout the Jewish year, we celebrate Shabbat and holidays with an assortment of services and events to meet the religious and cultural needs of our community. We gather to pray, to celebrate, to learn, and to enjoy good company and good food. We often partner with other local organizations to provide religious, educational, cultural, and social experiences for the Jewish community. These organizations include B’nai B’rith, the Champaign-Urbana Jewish Federation, Chabad, the Hillel Foundation, and the Program in Jewish Culture and Society at the University of Illinois.

Our mission at Sinai Temple is to create a place where all Jews can experience God’s presence through prayer; to cultivate a love and understanding of Jewish heritage through lifelong education; to stimulate fellowship in the Jewish community; to strengthen bonds of loyalty with Jewish people everywhere; and to address the challenges of our time through an emphasis on righteousness (tzedakah), commandments (mitzvot), and goodwill (gemilut hasadim).