Storms, power outages bring West Houston synagogues together for Shabbat

When hurricanes hit a city, Houstonians have a reputation for coming together. Hurricane Beryl on Monday morning, July 8, was no exception.

Hours after Beryl ripped through Houston, leaving wind damage and more than 2 million Houstonians without power, Rabbi David Lipper went west of Temple Sinai to survey the damage. He found the temple’s large grounds littered with fallen trees and branches, but miraculously the building was intact and power was still available.

Although the temple lost internet access, Rabbi Lipper sent the message that the doors were open and worshipers could come and refresh and charge their digital devices.

A few miles away, Congregation Or Ami was not so lucky. It lost power. On Thursday, Rabbi Estes contacted Rabbi Lipper. He needed a place for his congregants to celebrate Shabbat.

“I knew he would be very gracious to host us,” Rabbi Estes told JHV. “I think it’s an embodiment of the fact that the Houston Jewish community truly loves all Jews. We’re all part of one big community. And so when someone is in need, we know that people are going to step up. And this is an embodiment of that.”

“Right now (at press time) we’re in a situation of need because we don’t have electricity. So it’s a little bit out of our comfort zone, but that’s okay. It’s really a good thing.”

Rabbi Lipper did not hesitate to show Jewish hospitality.

“I told Rabbi Estes that we can certainly partner on Shabbat. Let’s bring our communities together,” Rabbi Lipper told JHV. “We’ll even offer a little pizza.”

The Shabbat Eve service at Temple Sinai, originally intended for families, included a oneg of pizza and salad. So the rabbi ordered a few extra pizzas. He prepared a beautiful salad himself, and congregants brought treats. Temple Sinai rolled out the red carpet to welcome the Or Ami families.

The entire congregation had about 50 participants.

Some families, still without electricity, welcomed the hot food, and everyone enjoyed the camaraderie.

“I love it,” Temple Sinai vice president Patrice Watt told JHV. “I love that the Jewish community can come together and it’s an opportunity to meet other Jews that I probably wouldn’t have met.”

Rabbi Estes was present on the bimah throughout Friday services and even delivered the dvar Torah on Saturday morning.

Jerry Rochman, a member of Or Ami congregation, enjoyed attending services with his brother, Roger Rochman, a member of Temple Sinai.

“I think it’s a wonderful thing that the Jewish community is so inclusive and that Temple Sinai is inviting us all here for services tonight and tomorrow,” Jerry told JHV. “As Jews, we all need to come together in times of need, and so we all help each other when we can.”

Brother Roger agreed.

“The fact that we opened our doors is not surprising at all. That’s what we do as Jews. And we’re certainly well known for opening doors to others at Temple Sinai,” Roger told JHV. “We’ve done that in the past.”

After Hurricane Harvey, Temple Sinai welcomed Emmanuel Episcopal Church, sharing space with the congregation after floodwaters destroyed the church building. The congregation continued to hold services and events at Temple Sinai until the church was rebuilt two years later. During that time, the two congregations forged a friendship, sharing feasts and performing acts of tikkun olam together.

“Not only did they share our home, but they were a part of us in the way they acted and were included in everything,” Roger added. “And I remember some of them singing in our holiday choir and doing mitzvahs together.”

Rabbi Lipper noted that we are all in this together.

“When we can come together in times of trial and tribulation, we support each other. I think that’s what community is,” he said. “We’re partnering with Or Ami on other projects, and I think it’s great that we can make Shabbat a reality for both communities.”