February 2024 | Adar-I 5784
community, education, events, From The President, Newsletter, Purim, ShabbatI am still kvelling about the wonderful Jewish Journeys Shabbat service last Saturday morning, when our community, including students, their parents, grandparents, and other congregants, gathered in our sanctuary to celebrate Shabbat together in song and prayer. Students’ work from their elective classes was featured, and the D’var Torah was given by one of our students. Afterwards, everyone enjoyed a communal potluck kiddush.
January 2024 | Shevat 5784
Chanukah, community, events, From The President, Jewish values, NewsletterDecember was quite a month! During the week of Chanukah, we hosted and participated in a wonderful series of programs to celebrate the holiday.
December 2023 | Kislev & Tevet 5784
Chanukah, events, From The President, NewsletterThanks to all who attended the Annual Meeting a few weeks ago and approved the slate of Officers and Directors, as well as the proposed Bylaw changes. And welcome to Wendy Penner, who has officially joined the CBI Board! We had over 30 people in attendance, both in person and on Zoom.
November 2023 | Cheshvan & Kislev 5784
events, From The President, NewsletterI write to you with a heavy heart, trying to process news about the war in Israel and the Middle East, and rising antisemitism in the US and even in our area. It is a tough time to be a Jewish leader, parent, or grandparent. And yet, I feel solace in knowing that CBI is here for us.
October 2023 | Tishrei & Cheshvan 5784
events, From The President, NewsletterI am writing to you in the afterglow of the High Holy Days. I hope that you were able to join us for some or all of our services and that you found them as meaningful and inspirational as I did. It is a joy to be able to worship together in person, and also to be able to gather virtually as a larger community.
From The President | Rosh Hashanah 1, 5784 / 2023
community, days of awe, From The President, Rosh HashanahOn the first day of Rosh Hashanah (Saturday, September 16, 2023), a speech was offered by Natalie Matus, President of CBI.
August 2023 | Av & Elul 5783
events, From The President, NewsletterWe are pleased to announce the launch of our new CBI after-school program, renamed Jewish Journeys, for children in grades K–7 beginning on Monday, September 11. Jewish Journeys is the outgrowth of a year of collaboration among CBI and NEFESH, which is a burgeoning group of Jewish families in Southern Vermont and Western Massachusetts run by Shira Sternberg Kol and Rabbi Jarah Greenfield.
July 2023 | Tammuz & Av 5783
community, From The President, NewsletterAs we begin the summer and a new fiscal year at CBI, the Board and CBI staff are focused on planning a spiritually fulfilling, interesting and productive year for adults, families and children in our community. There will be opportunities to study and learn, worship and have fun together. We are excited about new collaborations both within and external to CBI.
Announcing a New Interfaith Collaboration
community, From The President, From The Rabbi, Jewish values, spiritual lifeWe’re writing with delight to share news of a new interfaith collaboration happening at CBI.
June 2023 | Sivan & Tammuz 5783
community, From The President, NewsletterAs summer approaches and we look back at the year, it has been a very busy and exciting time at CBI. We are pleased that we’ve been able to bring back many in-person activities, including kiddushes after services, an in-person Community Seder, and much more.
Caring for Our Earth
From The President, From The Rabbi, pollinator garden, tikkun olam"...Wise and compassionate stewardship of our land has been a Jewish value ever since the Garden of Eden. In this era of climate crisis, it’s important to care not only for our grounds, but also for the local ecosystem of which we are a part.
Here at CBI we’re doing a few different things to live out this Jewish value..."
April 2023 | Nissan 5783
From The President, Newsletter, PesachI am writing to you from Hong Kong, where Roger and I are spending a delightful month visiting our daughter, son-in-law, and young grandsons. After a 4 year pause in being able to travel here, it is wonderful to spend time with them and to celebrate Passover together. We look forward to being part of their synagogue’s Community Seder at the same time as we will miss being with you at the CBI Seder. Happily, our enduring Jewish traditions bind us all together, wherever we may be across the globe.
March 2023 | Adar 5783
From The President, Newsletter, Pesach, PurimThough winter has not yet lessened its grip, we know that under the snow and ice, early flowers are popping up and foreshadowing spring.
February 2023 | Shevat 5783
From The President, Newsletter, ShevatThough winter still has its grip on us here in the Berkshires, CBI continues to provide light and community with its ongoing Shabbat services and programs for adults, children, and families, both in-person and remotely via Zoom. I want to highlight some of what we have accomplished in recent months and what’s coming up.
Congregation Beth Israel
53 Lois Street
North Adams, MA 01247
1-413-663-5830