We Want You Here.
We Welcome You Here.
Your Jewish Home In The Berkshires
No matter where you are on your Jewish journey.
No matter your financial capacity.
No matter your personal or family identity.
No matter where you live year-round.
We invite you to Congregation Beth Israel.
We Build Jewish Connections
Our warm, compassionate, and inclusive community is the perfect way for you to connect with others who identify themselves as Jewish.
Join us in our beautiful synagogue, meditation labyrinth, pollinator garden, and grounds. Be inspired by sweeping views of the foothills of Mount Greylock. Participate in-person or via Zoom for activities from near and far.
We Build Jewish Connections
Our warm, compassionate, and inclusive community is the perfect way for you to connect with others who identify themselves as Jewish.
Join us in our beautiful synagogue, meditation labyrinth, pollinator garden, and grounds. Be inspired by sweeping views of the foothills of Mount Greylock. Participate in-person or via Zoom for activities from near and far.
Our Spiritual Life
Rabbi Rachel Barenblat, named one of “America’s Most Inspiring Rabbis” by The Forward, leads with her gifts of poetry, song, and prose. Her popular Velveteen Rabbi blog site and books inspire her congregants at Congregation Beth Israel as well as her followers all around the world.
During our more than 125-year history, our congregation has continually adapted to make Judaism relevant, meaningful, and joyful. We are a member of the Reform Movement.
Featured Events
No Shabbat Service This Weekend
Please note that we will not be holding regular Shabbat morning service at CBI this weekend. Instead, please plan to join us for our Shavuot concert on Sunday, May 25 at 3pm!
Find out more »We Were Strangers: A Shavuot Concert
At Shavuot, we read the story of Ruth, a Biblical refugee. Join us for music both old and new, uplifting the needs and stories of immigrants and refugees. Works draw from sources including the Book of Ruth and the poetry of Emma Lazarus, featuring music by Ysaÿe M. Barnwell, Laura Copel, Irving Berlin, and more. This event is free and open to the public; donations will benefit the Berkshire Immigrant Center.
Find out more »
Free
2025 Annual Meeting
CBI’s Annual Meeting will be held in-person and over Zoom on Wednesday, May 28 at 7:30pm (EDT). We invite you to attend and ask that you RSVP in advance; those joining us online must register via Zoom in order to receive the Zoom link. We’ll offer reflections on the past year, celebrate our community, talk about the year to come (including the budget), and vote on the slate of Board members and officers. There will also be an opportunity to schmooze and enjoy some sweet desserts.
Find out more »
Free
Shavuot Family Party
Celebrate Shavuot with a family-friendly evening full of of fun activities and delicious food! This event will be held in Shaftsbury, VT; for more information, please contact [email protected]. Please RSVP via our website if your family plans to attend. This event is a partnership between Congregation Beth Israel & NEFESH, with major financial support from Sally Gottesman & the Harold Grinspoon Foundation as well as funding from other private donors.
Find out more »
Free
CBI Has Moved to Mask-Optional
Because Berkshire County has been a low-risk county since January 2023, hospitalizations are very low, and there has not been any sign of a “spike” in cases, CBI Board has voted to shift CBI to mask-optional. As of April 13, 2023, you are welcome to join us for any programming at CBI with or without a face mask.
We continue to welcome anyone who wants for any reason to continue wearing a mask at CBI. We also retain our commitment to offering meaningful, interactive digital services so that those who are immunocompromised or homebound (or live elsewhere) can participate wholly in our community.
We also ask those who are ill to stay home, take care of yourselves, and join us digitally… and to please mask for a while when you return, even if you hope you’re no longer contagious. This is a small mitzvah we all can do to help take care of those who are higher-risk in our community.
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