Early History

Mt. Sinai’s history is a true slice of Americana.  It is the story of immigrants adapting their traditions to American life, and of their children giving this handiwork a truly American form. Jews first came to Wausau in 1873, and by the turn of the century was a small, but thriving group of merchants and businessmen.  Mt. Sinai Congregation, a reform synagogue, was founded in 1914 and located in the old Universalist Church on the corner of 5th and McClellan.  In 1917, Beth Israel, an Orthodox synagogue, was founded nearby. Our Mt. Sinai has its roots in both institutions.

As times changed, so did the Jewish community.  In 1944 the congregations took up residency together as Mt Sinai, a Conservative Congregation at 622 4th Street.  In the 1960’s, Mt. Sinai became a Reform congregation.

Recent History

In 1991, our modern building was constructed at 910 West Randolph Street in Wausau.

Improved roads and expanding Jewish populations in Marshfield, Stevens Point, and Minocqua have transformed this small Wausau synagogue into a North Central Wisconsin regional center for Jewish worship, education, and community. We have over 90 member families living in 7 counties. Our membership is extremely diverse including: business professionals, government employees, academics, medical personnel, musicians, teachers, and many retired individuals.  An increasing number of members who have converted to Judaism have become important contributors to Mt. Sinai’s strength and energy. Mt. Sinai is affiliated with the Union for Reform Judaism.

Historic Synagogue in Stevens Point

The historic Beth Israel Synagogue in Stevens Point was donated to the Portage County Historical Society in 1985.  It is now a museum for display of Judaica and various aspects of local history.  More information can be found at the Portage County Historical Society.

Rabbi Cathy Nemiroff has joined us as our new Rabbi and will be leading us on a part-time basis. Rabbi Nemiroff received rabbinic ordination at Hebrew Union College – Jewish Institute of Religion in 2002.  She previously completed a Master of Arts degree in Hebrew Letters at the same institute.  Rabbi Nemiroff entered the rabbinate as a second career.  Since graduation from the University of Minnesota with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Studio Arts, she worked first in non-profit arts administration, then technical writing and training in the private sector.

Prior to entering rabbinical school Rabbi Nemiroff pursued Jewish studies at the University of Wisconsin in Madison and the University of Minnesota.  Her passion for Jewish communal life was ignited when, as a lay leader, she helped found a new congregation, Shir Tikvah, in the Twin Cities in Minnesota.  She loves teaching, communal leadership and bringing Judaism to congregants of all ages in formal and informal contexts.  Particular academic interests include modern Jewish thought, ethics and responsa literature (rabbinic questions and responses).

Rabbi Nemiroff has held rabbinic positions in Florida and New York state.  Prior to coming to Mt. Sinai, Rabbi Nemiroff worked as a spiritual care rabbi and chaplain at Sholom Home in St. Paul and served as a visiting rabbi to a small congregation in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

In her spare time Rabbi Nemiroff enjoys classical and Jewish music as well as many disciplines in the arts.   She also enjoys spending time in the natural world, particularly the North Shore of Lake Superior.

Contact Info:
[email protected]
715-675-2560

On behalf of the Members and Board of Mt. Sinai Congregation, I would like to welcome you to our website.

Mt. Sinai is a small but active congregation located in beautiful North Central Wisconsin. Our members come from places you may have heard of such as Wausau, Stevens Point, Minocqua, Rhinelander and Marshfield as well as the surrounding areas.

One of the things that stands out most among our congregation is our geographic and individual diversity. Mt. Sinai thrives because of its accepting attitude and the genuine warmth of our membership. Our doors are open because our hearts are open.

Like most small congregations we rely on a giving spirit which gets the work done. We affectionately refer to ourselves Mt. Sinainicks and even published a book for our 100^th Anniversary entitled The Little Shul That Could: 100 Years of Mt. Sinai 

For as long as anyone can remember we have hovered around 85 families strong, and today is no different. Nevertheless, providing for the needs our families with children has created renewed enthusiasm and purpose and our religious school is growing. Our more senior members continue to be a vital force in our congregation and we reap the benefits of their experience and wisdom.

We see ourselves as a second home to our congregants where we can cater to their individual needs and spiritual growth.

If you find yourself in our neck of the woods, we would love to meet you and show you what makes Mt. Sinai so special.

L’shalom,

Andrew Lynch

Mt. Sinai Congregation President

Office Manager 

Our Office Manager can be contacted at her email [email protected] or 715-675-2560