Welcome to TBI Sisterhood 

About our roots

Shinah Solomon Etting and her husband Elijah were York’s first Jewish couple. They came from Lancaster so Elijah could work as a trader with native Americans. Twenty years later, after he died, she moved her family to Baltimore and opened a boarding house. One of her sons won the right for Jews to hold political office in Maryland.

In 1877, twenty-four families founded the Hebrew Reformed Congregation of Temple Beth Israel. We believe Daisy Grumbacher -- who came from Baltimore when she married Max Grumbacher in 1910 -- was the first Sisterhood president.

Our congregation of about 270 families has called our Hollywood Drive sanctuary home since the 1960s.

We are the only Reform congregation in York. Congregation Ohev Sholom, a Conservative synagogue, is housed in our building. Chabad has a house near York College.

As part of the 70,000-member-strong Women of Reform Judaism (www.womenofreformjudaism.org) we are involved in issues of concern to Jewish women in the United States, and around the world.

What we do for our community

First and foremost, we help sustain the only Jewish religious school in York. Our fundraisers contribute at least a quarter of its budget each year.

We contribute to temple capital projects, from refurbishing the kitchen to repairing the roof. We offer a Judaica shop, plus an annual Hanukkah bazaar.

We offer support for the congregation’s elderly, shut-ins and those in mourning.

We make sure there’s a tasty Oneg Shabbat each Friday night, and a more elaborate one for simchas.

We organize a congregational Seder on the second night of Passover.

  What we can offer you

We are a diverse and friendly group of women committed to Judaism, to tzedakah (charity) and to tikkun olam (bettering the world).

We also welcome women from interfaith families, including non-Jewish women raising Jewish children, and the non-Jewish spouses and partners of Jews.

We share our expertise on living Jewishly in the York community -- from finding mezuzot for your doors to locating a chuppah or a mohel…or knowing where to buy kosher food.

Educational -- and fun -- lunches and brunches on diverse topic are held regularly.

Activity groups we offer include a book club, current events chat, wine-tasting and movie-going.

You can grow your social and business contacts as well -- our members include doctors, lawyers, educators, writers, musicians, therapists, craftswomen, businesswomen…..as well as homemakers, retirees, and indispensable community volunteers.

The first Jewish woman moved to York around 1760, bore eight children, helped run a store, and was known far and wide as a gracious hostess. But at that time there was no temple in town, let alone a Sisterhood to provide support for other Jewish women and families in need. Sadly, Shinah Etting had to leave York. Thankfully life’s better today with strong organizations like TBI's Sisterhood.

How to join

Membership is open to Jewish women whether or not they are members of TBI. We also welcome non-Jewish spouses and partners of Jews, whether or not they are temple members.

Dues start at $36 per year; benefactors can contribue more.

Dues can be waived for women of limited financial means. We hold those requests in confidence.

Come prosper in York with the TBI Sisterhood