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Congregation Beth Israel
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North Adams, MA 01247
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From the Rabbi – March 2025
Events, From The Rabbi, NewsletterAs we begin the month of March, we’re reading from a Torah portion that describes the vestments made for Aaron, the first High Priest, woven from blue, purple, and crimson yarns. One particular facet of his outfit is standing out to me this year: the breastplate that he wore over his heart, holding twelve cut gemstones to represent the twelve tribes of Israel.
Sanctuary: for Refugee Shabbat – Terumah 5785 / 2025
Divrei Torah, Inclusion & Diversity, Jewish Values, Social Action, Tikkun Olam“When we create sanctuary, God dwells within us. I think the inverse is also true: if we take sanctuary away – if we make someone unsafe; if we refuse them shelter and care – we are pushing God away. It is a fundamental tenet of Judaism that we are all made in the divine image and likeness. When we create a space where it’s safe to be who we are, we are making space for God. When it is unsafe to be our whole selves, God’s presence is diminished. ..”
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…”
From the Rabbi – February 2025
Events, From The Rabbi, Music, Newsletter, Tu BiShvatIn 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.”
February 2025 | Shevat 5785
Community, From The President, Guest Posts, Newsletter, VolunteeringA brief self-introduction by Wendy Penner, CBI’s new 1st Vice President.
Doing What’s Right: Sh’mot 5785
Divrei Torah, From The Rabbi, Jewish Values, Response to Tragedy, Social ActionHelp Us Care For Our Torahs
From The President, Jewish Values, Spiritual Life, VideoWe 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
Divrei TorahFrom the Rabbi – January 2025
From The Rabbi, Jewish Values, Music, Newsletter, Spiritual Life, Tikkun Olam, Tu BiShvatA 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?
January 2025 | Tevet 5785
Chanukah, Community, From The President, Newsletter, Tu BiShvat, VolunteeringAs 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, LGBTQ+ Rights, Tikkun OlamDecember 2024 | Kislev 5785
Chanukah, Community, Divrei Torah, Events, From The President, NewsletterSeveral 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.
From the Rabbi – December 2024
Chanukah, Community, Education, From The Rabbi, Jewish Values, Music, NewsletterAs 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.