Rabbi Paula Winnig serves as the Union for Reform Judaism’s Director of Congregational Consulting and Transition Services. A proud “badger by birth,” she grew up at Mt. Sinai Congregation in Wausau, Wisconsin. Nearly forty years ago, she was ordained at HUC-JIR, beginning a rabbinic journey that has taken her to congregations across North America, as well as Guatemala and New Zealand, before returning home to Wisconsin in 2017.
In addition to her 26 years in congregational life, Rabbi Winnig earned an MBA and has led a variety of Jewish organizations. She’s also a proud mother and savta (grandmother).
When she’s not working, you’ll find her biking, traveling, cooking, or creating beautiful fiber art. If you ever visit her in Madison, she’ll happily treat you to the city’s best ice cream—and maybe even a kayak ride on one of the lakes.
Dear Friends:
In 2019 I wrote Dunes Meditation #1
Waves lap against the shore.
The sun glows, making the sands glisten in its light.
A soft, gentle breeze rustles the dune grass, rooted deeply within the towering dunes.
Shadows keep me company as the water serenades me.
The melodies of life, loss, and love fill the shining world around me.
I wrote these words while spending time along the dunes and shoreline near Michigan City. As I prepare to begin serving as your part-time rabbi on July 1, I find myself reflecting on the power of place and the ways landscapes shape our spirits.
There is something sacred about the dunes. They speak of both permanence and change. Their contours shift with the wind, yet they have stood watch over generations who have come seeking beauty, rest, inspiration, and connection. Congregations are not unlike that. They are rooted in enduring values and traditions, yet each generation leaves its own imprint upon the community’s story.
It is with excitement and gratitude that I prepare to join your congregation. I look forward to learning more of the history of this community, hearing your stories, celebrating your joys, supporting you through life’s challenges, and discovering together how Judaism can continue toenrich our lives.
My first Shabbat with you will be July 10, just after our nation marks the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States. Anniversaries invite us to pause and reflect. They encourage us to remember where we have come from, to honor those who helped build the communities we cherish, and to imagine the future we hope to create.
Jewish tradition teaches that every generation receives an inheritance and, in turn, becomes responsible for shaping what will be passed on to those who follow. We are links in a chain that stretches backward through history and forward into a future we can only begin to imagine. Like the dune grass that remains deeply rooted even as the winds reshape the sands around it, Jewish communities thrive when they remain grounded in their values while responding thoughtfully to the changing world.
Throughout my rabbinate, I have believed that the strongest congregations are built upon relationships, relationships with one another, with our Jewish heritage, with God, and with the broader communities in which we live. I come to you eager to listen, learn, and become your partner in nurturing those connections.
As we begin this journey together, I hope you will introduce yourselves, share your stories, and help me come to know the people and traditions that make this congregation unique. I look forward to worshiping, learning, celebrating, and building community with you. May this new chapter be filled with blessing, meaning, and connection. I look forward to meeting you on July 10 and to the conversations and friendships that await us.
L’shalom,
Rabbi Paula Jayne Winnig
Music is an important part of our worship at Sinai Temple. Our guitarists who perform our Shabbat service are warm and encouraging of group singing. For the High Holidays, we have a cantorial soloist, who also partners with her daughter for some of the music, accompanied by a pianist. For Kol Nidre, we feature a well-known violinist.
Our professional musicians lead us through a varied repertoire, ranging from traditional to contemporary styles. Music brings us pleasure and helps minimize stress so we can enjoy “being in the moment!”
We are truly a most fortunate congregation!
Our amazing Administrative Staff is responsible for keeping our members up to date with scheduling appointments, administrative support, newsletters, assist those planning a lifecycle event, help with Zoom support (scheduling, Zoom links), donation questions, and is available to help answer your questions.
Our wonderful Maintenance Team is responsible for overseeing our grounds and maintaining our treasured Sinai Temple.
