From The Rabbi

People of Truth: Yitro 5785 / 2025

divrei Torah, From The Rabbi

"...All of us can be be anshe-hayil, people of valor, people whose word is worth something. All of us can be anshe emet, people who stand up for what’s true, people who call things what they are. All of us can live in a way that supports liberation: not just freedom from, from oppression and want and fear, but freedom to. Freedom to speak, to pray, to dream, to be. ..."

The only way is together: Beshalah 5785 / 2025

divrei Torah, From The Rabbi, social action, tikkun olam, Volunteering

"...I know this may sound pollyanna. It is a drop in the bucket compared with everything that needs repair. But I believe it is how repair happens: each of us doing what we can to help others. Tikkun olam – “repairing the world” – is a Jewish imperative. It is our obligation as Jews..."

Jewish Spiritual Time: Three Full Moons in Solar Sync. Tu BiShvat (Shvat / February): First stirrings; visioning spring. Purim (Adar / March): Unmask spirit; juicing up joy. Passover (Nissan / April): Throw off shackles; spring abundance.

From the Rabbi – February 2025

events, From The Rabbi, music, Newsletter, Tu BiShvat

In the place where our traditions began, the almond trees are blooming. It’s the lunar month of Shvat, and at the full moon on the 15th of this month we celebrate Tu BiShvat, “the New Year of the Trees.”

CBI Labyrinth

February 2025 | Shevat 5785

community, From The President, guest posts, Newsletter, Volunteering

A brief self-introduction by Wendy Penner, CBI's new 1st Vice President.

Doing What's Right: Sh'mot 5785

Doing What’s Right: Sh’mot 5785

D'vrei Torah, divrei Torah, From The Rabbi, Jewish values, response to tragedy, social action

Torah Restoration & Maintenance Fund

Help Us Care For Our Torahs

From The President, Jewish values, spiritual life, video

We are writing to share news of our progress on raising funds for CBI’s Torah Restoration & Maintenance Fund as of January 2025.

For the Good: Vayehi 5785 / 2025

A circular diagram divided into eight segments, each colored in a light tone of beige, pale green, and taupe. The central section of the diagram has the word "GRATITUDE." The labels on the segments are: Work; Family; Personal work / Spirituality; Fun / Joy / Creativity; Friends / Community; Home space(s); Activism / Giving back; FREE SPACE.

From the Rabbi – January 2025

From The Rabbi, Jewish values, music, Newsletter, spiritual life, tikkun olam, Tu BiShvat

A few days ago, I told my son that I was trying to figure out what to write about in my January newsletter column. Now that we’re done with Chanukah, there aren’t any Jewish holidays until next month. I know what I want to write about for February, but what is the wisdom we need now, as we begin a secular new year at a time when Jewishly life is just… going on?

CBI Labyrinth

January 2025 | Tevet 5785

Chanukah, community, From The President, Newsletter, Tu BiShvat, Volunteering

As we enter a new secular year, I am still glowing with the joy of celebrating Chanukah, first at CBI where we held a spirited songfest and dreidel spinning contest, and enjoyed delicious homemade pizza and sufganiyot. Later in the month, we lit our hanukkiahs and enjoyed latkes at a Chanukah party in southern Vermont, part of our program for families with the NEFESH community.

God* With Us: Vayeshev 5785 / 2024

divrei Torah, Resilience

"...I noticed this year that Torah only begins to say God is with him once he’s in tough circumstances. Was God “not there” before, or was he just not aware of God until then? Did something change within him him that enabled him to live with awareness of the holy? ..."

Where We Are: Vayetzei 5785 / 2024

divrei Torah, From The Rabbi, Inclusion & Diversity, lgbt rights, tikkun olam

A mock filmstrip with four photos of Rabbi Rachel and other community members at the celebration of her 13th year at CBI.

From the Rabbi – December 2024

Chanukah, community, education, From The Rabbi, Jewish values, music, Newsletter

As we enter December I’m still feeling the reverberations of the Shabbat in November when we celebrated my thirteen years (so far) of serving the CBI community.

CBI Labyrinth

December 2024 | Kislev 5785

Chanukah, community, D'vrei Torah, events, From The President, Newsletter

Several weeks ago, the CBI community came together for a joyous celebration of our beloved Rabbi Rachel Barenblat and her 13 years of service as spiritual leader of CBI. During the Shabbat service, co-led by Rabbi Rachel and her dear friend and colleague Rabbi David Markus, Rabbi Rachel was called to the Torah in recognition of her service, and various groups of members, friends, and family were called up for aliyot.

Covenant: Vayera 5785 / 2024

"...The work of spiritual life is never done. The work of becoming is never done. As long as we’re here, we’re growing and changing – or we can be. My covenant with each of you is a promise to accompany you in whatever life brings your way..."

The Call: Lekh-lekha 5785 / 2024

divrei Torah, Resilience

"Possibility lives in us. Hope lives in us. Kindness lives in us. Truth and justice live in us. No amount of cruelty or coercion, bullying or gaslighting, can take these away. They are our birthright, and they are eternal."