In 1959, a little over two dozen families came together to establish a new Reform congregation outside Rochester, New York. Services were originally held in members' homes, then moved in fairly rapid succession to the Cerebral Palsy Association on East Avenue, the Brighton Town Hall, Allendale-Columbia School, and St. John Fisher College.
On June 12, 1960, Temple Sinai was granted its charter from the Union of American Hebrew Congregations.


The Temple's first property was a house on the corner of East Avenue and Penfield Road, on the present site of the Renaissance Apartments. But, by 1965, the congregation had grown to 75 families, so the property was sold and the larger piece of land where the present building stands was purchased. James Johnson was contracted to design the building and by 1967 construction was completed. So much skill and fortitude was demanded of the craftsmen who erected both the concrete walls and the mammoth concrete pillars on-site that these workers were presented with an award by their fellow craftsmen for their effort. A close inspection of the pillars will reveal that one is more rounded than the other due to damage incurred when they were erected. 

The building has been modified twice. Following a fire in 1978, the social hall and kitchen were

remodeled and expanded. More than a decade later, in 1987, the Temple Sinai Family had grown to include nearly 400 member families. An addition to the social hall/foyer/kitchen and education wing were needed. The enlarged facility that now welcomes members and visitors alike is the result of many congregants' vision and a membership with commitment to Temple Sinai's future.

As Temple Sinai begins the new millenium, new plans are being made to accommodate more growth.