According to the midrash, every Jew carries a piece of the Torah with him or her.  Without every Jewish soul the Jewish people and the Torah would be incomplete.  Standing at Sinai raises the question:  What is your piece of Torah?

Standing at Sinai is a dramatic presentation comprised of a series of monologues elegantly woven together so as to bring one to a closer understanding of his or her relationship to God and Torah.  It may be followed by guided break-out discussions and activities.  The materials provide the congregation with easy to use directions, the script and follow up ideas and programs for Tikkun Leil Shavuot, Erev Selichot and many other times during the year.  Discussion questions are included to fit specific uses. Following a discussion there are opportunities for expanded activities. 

Standing at Sinai triggers a conversation about our individual and communal relationships to Torah and to God.  During a discussion following the presentation at one synagogue, a congregant shared:  “I have thought about my relationship with God but never my relationship with Torah.”

Standing at Sinai was first performed in 2008.

This program is ideal for:

-Erev Shavuot Programming

-Erev Selichot programming

-Torah-related programs (eg. Torah dedication)

-High Holyday post b’nai mitzvah and/or adult programming

-Confirmation class/graduation

-Hebrew High School programming

-Religious Schools/Day Schools

-Weekend Retreats

-Elderhostels

-Educator/Community Professionals seminars

-Jewish Community Programming

For more information about bringing Standing at Sinai to your community, contact:

Jeff Bernhardt

jmbedsw@aol.com  or  (818) 909-0931

Praise for Standing at Sinai

“The script was so thoughtful... I was really very touched by the evening.”

                                                                       

Rabbi Don Goor, Temple Judea - Tarzana, CA

“It was GREAT....the actors loved it and the people who attended did as well....we had our largest group in the six years that I have been here (wish I could say because of your reputation but they will come back because of your play)....they were very moved.”

 

Rabbi Lawrence W. Raphael, PhD., Congregation Sherith Israel - San Francisco, CA

“We utilized your script for this year's Shavuot service and received wonderful comments afterwards. The dialogue which you have created and the issues which you bring so vividly to the forefront cause each and every person involved, passively and actively, to ponder serious questions of identity and life. Yasher Koach.”

 

Cantor Steven Stoehr, Congregation Beth Shalom - Northbrook,IL

                                                                                      

“Standing at Sinai is a fabulous program for either Shavuot or Selichot.   Our congregants found the evening to be a very moving reminder of the very personal paths that are open to each of us in finding our way to God and Torah.  Jeff Bernhardt has woven the stories that he created into a rich tapestry, creating a very powerful experience for the congregants who participated as readers and for the audience.”

Rabbi Janet Offel, Kol Tikvah - Woodland Hills, CA

“Our congregation used Standing at Sinai to begin our Tikkun Leil Shavuot program...Besides how moving the dramatic reading was for the congregation, the performance and content also sparked conversation that has taken us well beyond Shavuot.  I would highly recommend it to other congregations -- I can well imagine uses at other times of the year, as well as at Shavuot.”

Rabbi Lisa Edwards, Congregation Beth Chayim Chadashim - Los Angeles, CA

“Standing at Sinai went fabulously…Once the stories were read out loud, they really came to life.  The discussion generated was fabulous.”

Rabbi Mark Bloom, Temple Beth Abraham - Oakland, CA