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Congregation Beth Israel
53 Lois Street
North Adams, MA 01247
1-413-663-5830
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Second Night Community Seder 5783
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Absence and Presence: Tetzaveh and Shabbat Zachor 5783 / 2023
Adar, Divrei Torah, PurimWho’s named and who’s not, what it means to remember (and forget) Amalek, and what this week’s Torah portion and Purim ask of us.
From the Rabbi – March 2023
From The Rabbi, NewsletterRabbi Rachel’s March newsletter column — about Purim, and how our actions reflect us, and good things coming.
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.
Guest Post: “Constructing Sacred Boundaries: An Exploration of the Enclosure Around the Mishkan”
Contemplative Practice, Divrei Torah, From The Rabbi, Guest PostsThis guest post is the D’var Torah that CBI member and cantorial soloist Ziva Larson offered at Shabbat Morning Services on Saturday, February 25, 2023.
(Reproductive) Justice and the Dream of Sky: Mishpatim 5783 / 2023
Divrei Torah, Social Action“…Reproductive justice is a much broader framework than simply ‘the right to choose,; or even the right to choose plus access to safe reliable healthcare. It’s about everything: access to food, affordable shelter, education, ending carceral foster care, ending gun violence, and more. All of these are part of what it would really look like to rear children in a just world….”
A Song For Those Coming Through the Sea
Divrei Torah, Jewish Values, Tikkun Olam“..Our ancient spiritual ancestors couldn’t sing the Song until they felt emunah in their bones. And they couldn’t feel emunah in their bones until they stepped into the sea. Which means they had to step into the sea before they felt ready. They had to take the plunge without knowing for sure what lay ahead and whether or not the water would part. On a smaller scale, we all have moments like that, on the cusp of change: marriage or divorce, birth or death, choosing a new beginning. There’s a moment when we have to decide to just – step into the sea, ready or not….”
From the Rabbi – February 2023
From The Rabbi, Newsletter, Tu BiShvatThis morning a friend texted me a graphic showing the five weeks before the winter solstice, and the five weeks thereafter. Along with the image came a short message that read, simply, “We made it!” The literal darkest season of the solar year is behind us: cause for rejoicing indeed.
Opening Heart and Soul: Vaera 5783
Divrei TorahThe Promise of Becoming: Vayechi 5783 / 2022
Divrei Torah, Jewish Values, Tikkun OlamFrom the Rabbi – January 2023
From The Rabbi, Newsletter, Tevet, Tu BiShvatThe coldest weather of the year is ahead of us, but the days have already started imperceptibly getting longer. Especially during years like this one, when the winter solstice falls during Chanukah, it can feel a little bit like the increasing light of our candles has called back the increasing light of the sun. We’re nowhere near done with the cold, but we are done with the darkening of the days. From here until the end of June, every day brings more light.
From the Bottom of the Well (Vayeshev 5783 / 2022 )
Divrei Torah, PandemicFrom Dust to Stars: Vayishlach 5783
Divrei TorahDecember 2022 | Kislev 5783
Chanukah, From The President, NewsletterIn this season of gratitude, I want to thank all of you for being members of the CBI community and for all you do to strengthen and sustain our community. I also thank you for honoring me by re-electing me to my second one-year term as president at the recent Annual Meeting.
From the Rabbi – December 2022
Community, Education, From The Rabbi, Inclusion & Diversity, Jewish Values, Newsletter, Social Action, Teshuvah, VideoThis year, the b-mitzvah students and I are studying Jewish values. At the start of the school year we focused on teshuvah, repentance or return — the value at the heart of the Days of Awe. After that, we began a unit on b’tzelem Elohim: the idea that we are all made in the image of God.