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.”
A brief self-introduction by Wendy Penner, CBI’s new 1st Vice President.
We are writing to share news of our progress on raising funds for CBI’s Torah Restoration & Maintenance Fund as of January 2025.
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?
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.
“…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? …”
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.
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.
“…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…”
“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.”
Greetings from Hong Kong, where I am spending a few weeks visiting with my daughter, son-in-law, and grandsons. It’s been so much fun celebrating Sukkot and Simchat Torah with our grandsons on the other side of the world.
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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.
Covenant: Vayera 5785 / 2024
Divrei Torah“…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.”
After the Storm: Noah 5785 / 2024
Divrei TorahNovember 2024 | Cheshvan 5785
Days of Awe, Events, From The President, Newsletter, Spiritual LifeGreetings from Hong Kong, where I am spending a few weeks visiting with my daughter, son-in-law, and grandsons. It’s been so much fun celebrating Sukkot and Simchat Torah with our grandsons on the other side of the world.