Since November, Temple Sinai has been trying to raise $19,000 through a series of fund raisers and garage sales so that this East Massapequa Reformed Jewish Congregation can pay for the installation of a new roof. And, so far, Temple Sinai needs an additional $8,000 before they can realize their vision.

Located on Clocks Blvd., Temple Sinai's sanctuary and hallways have been flooding with water every time it rains. "The whole building needs a new roof over the entire expanse," noted Irma Kulakoff.

Originally they attempted to solve the problem by patching up the 30-year-old roof, but now the problem has gotten to the point where it needs a major repair. "It started off as a small leak and we had it temporarily fixed," said Kulakoff. "But now its gotten really bad."

At their last fund-raising event organized by Sinai congregant Bruce Gogel, a Massapequa Park CPA, the temple was able to raise $2,750 through a 50/50 raffle. Fifty-five tickets were sold for $100 per person.

But the efforts have been difficult, said Marcia Cannava, because of Temple Sinai's small size and lack of resources. Temple Sinai has about 100 member families.

"When you walk into our temple, someone will always walk over to you and say 'hello,'" said Cannava. "When you look around you can see that this is a place where you can make a difference."

The leaking temple, which offers a religious school for children on Monday and Saturdays, has been fortunate enough that rain has not considerably come down during any of the school sessions. But, said Cannava, the buckets on the floor are always filling up when it does.

Part of the problem that Temple Sinai faces is that the members of the congregation are, for the most part, not particularly wealthy people. "We are a very affordable temple," said Kulakoff. "We will never turn anyone away because they can't meet their financial obligations."

Temple Sinai, with its low membership dues, finds itself composed of people who are willing to put in their time and effort to help the temple. But, when it comes down to making large donations, many are unable.

Their next attempt to raise money to meet their $19,000 goal will be a 100 family garage sale at their temple located at 270 Clocks Blvd. on April 5. The annual fundraiser will feature all 100 of the temple's member families for one large fund-raising event.

Cannava said that she hopes the garage sale and other fundraisers will be successful. Kulakoff added that because Temple Sinai is rich in history, she hopes to see it thrive in the future.

Temple Sinai was founded in 1958 when the first congregation met in the firehouse on Hicksville Road in Massapequa. The following year Friday night services were conducted at the Community Presbyterian Church on Broadway while Temple Sinai began hosting a Hebrew school at the old Parkside Elementary School.

In 1963 Temple Sinai constructed their current meeting hall and sanctuary on Clocks Blvd. in East Massapequa. The groups used an old Victorian home that was located next to temple for their Hebrew school until their current school was built in the late '60s.

Today Temple Sinai still meets and holds Hebrew School in the structures built in the '60s. And because of that, Temple Sinai is in need of many repairs. Members of the congregation say that they feel a need to help out if they want to be members of Temple Sinai.

"It really is a 'do it yourself' temple," said Cannava.

"The temple needs help," she added. "It's a little place with big potential."

Any member of the community who wishes to donate their time, effort or money to Temple Sinai should call 795-5015.