From The Rabbi

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Perseverance and the portable ark

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“וְעָ֥שׂוּ לִ֖י מִקְדָּ֑שׁ וְשָׁכַנְתִּ֖י בְּתוֹכָֽם׃ / Let them make Me a sanctuary that I may dwell within them.” (Ex. 25:8 – in this week’s Torah portion, T’rumah.)   The word […]

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Shavua tov! Looking forward to Repro Shabbat and more

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Join us in the CBI Zoom room at 9:30am on Saturday morning for Shabbat morning services led by Rabbi Rachel. This week has been designated as Reproductive Justice Shabbat by the National […]

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I Will Sing

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In this week’s Torah portion, Beshalach, we read the Song at the Sea. “I will sing to God…” Our commentators note that this verse is in future tense: not “I […]

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Connecting into spring

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Dear Congregation Beth Israel of the northern Berkshires, Temple Beth-El of City Island, and Hebrew Congregation of Somers, This year our three communities will join together to celebrate Tu BiShvat, […]

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Not the end of the story

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In this week’s Torah portion, Va’era, God hears the cries of the Israelites and promises to free us from bondage. But when Moshe comes to the children of Israel to […]

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A message from Rabbi Rachel

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Dear Congregation Beth Israel members and friends, It is rare to know that we are living through a moment of genuine historical significance. To recognize that something unfolding around us […]

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Shavua tov! Looking forward to Shabbat Sh’mot at CBI – and, some dates to save!

Shavua tov: a good new week to all. And happy 2021! Happening This Week Join us in the CBI Zoom room at 7:30pm on Friday night for our first Friday […]

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A solstice message from Rabbi Rachel

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Hello all! Here’s a short video message from Rabbi Rachel – a story from Talmud, a reflection on where we are in the solar year, and a blessing for hope […]

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Rededication: a poem for this pandemic Chanukah

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It’s not like the Temple, sulliedby improper use and then washed cleanand restored to former glory.This house is tarnished by familiarity.Month after pandemic month I’ve circledfrom bed to table to […]

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Shavua tov! Looking forward to Shabbat Vayeshev and to Chanukah!

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Shavua tov: a good new week to all. Happening This Week Light the first candle of Chanukah on Thursday night. And celebrate online: the City of North Adams Menorah Lighting […]

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Stop and let goodness catch us

At the start of this week’s Torah portion, we read that Jacob was afraid, and his fear was constricting. He was afraid that Esau would come after him, that the […]

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Shavua tov! Looking forward to Shabbat Vayishlach, Shabbat dinner, and more!

Shavua tov: a good new week to all. Happening This Week Join us in the CBI Zoom room on Friday evening at 7:30pm for our first Monthly Zoom Shabbat Dinner! […]

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Shavua tov! Looking forward to Shabbat Vayetzei

Shavua tov: a good new week to all. Join us in the CBI Zoom room on Saturday morning at 9:30am for Shabbat morning services, led by R’ Pam Wax.  This week we’re reading […]

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Surge capacity and old wells

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This week’s Torah portion, Toldot, is so rich. There’s great stuff here. This week we’ve got Rebecca conceiving twins, feeling them grapple with each other in her womb, asking God […]

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Shavua tov! Looking forward to Shabbat Toldot and to Kabbalat Shabbat!

Shavua tov! Join us in the CBI Zoom room on Friday evening at 7:00 PM for Kabbalat Shabbat services, led by R’ Rachel. Please note: this weekend we will have Friday […]

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