I have just returned from the General Assembly of the Jewish Federations of North America (JFNA), where 1,800 professionals and lay leaders met to discuss some of the critical issues facing our Jewish communities, locally and worldwide. I learned how people think about some of the significant issues facing us, whether we live in a smaller community, like the Berkshires, or a larger one. It was inspiring to meet with committed leaders from so many places.
November this year mostly overlaps with the Hebrew month of Cheshvan. Among Ashkenazi Jews (Jews of Eastern European descent or who follow the customs of that part of the world) this month contains no holidays other than Shabbat.
https://cbiberkshires.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Beach.jpg217800Rachel Barenblathttps://cbiberkshires.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/CBI-Logo-70h-2.pngRachel Barenblat2022-11-04 12:00:002023-06-23 12:34:31From the Rabbi – November 2022
“So we’ll be building our sukkah on Sunday,” I said to my kid a few days ago. “Wait, what?” he asked. “I thought Sukkot was a week and four days after Yom Kippur!” Nope, I told him: it’s just four days after. “Oh yay,” he said. “That means Sukkot is sooner than I thought!”
https://cbiberkshires.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Sukkah-Header.jpg396704Rachel Barenblathttps://cbiberkshires.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/CBI-Logo-70h-2.pngRachel Barenblat2022-10-07 12:00:002023-06-23 12:28:54From the Rabbi – October 2022
As we approach the High Holy Days, we’ve entered a period of reflection and assessment. In addition to my own personal reflections, I am also very aware of the passing of one year and the beginning of the next in the communal life of Congregation Beth Israel. With a year under my belt as president, it is a time when I reflect both on what has gone well and what more we need to or can do.
November 2022 | Cheshvan 5783
Annual Meeting, community, From The President, NewsletterI have just returned from the General Assembly of the Jewish Federations of North America (JFNA), where 1,800 professionals and lay leaders met to discuss some of the critical issues facing our Jewish communities, locally and worldwide. I learned how people think about some of the significant issues facing us, whether we live in a smaller community, like the Berkshires, or a larger one. It was inspiring to meet with committed leaders from so many places.
From the Rabbi – November 2022
Cheshvan, From The Rabbi, Newsletter, spiritual lifeNovember this year mostly overlaps with the Hebrew month of Cheshvan. Among Ashkenazi Jews (Jews of Eastern European descent or who follow the customs of that part of the world) this month contains no holidays other than Shabbat.
October 2022 | Tishrei 5783
days of awe, From The President, Newsletter, Rosh HashanahThis is the speech that Natalie Matus offered at Rosh Hashanah services this year.
From the Rabbi – October 2022
days of awe, From The Rabbi, Newsletter, sukkot“So we’ll be building our sukkah on Sunday,” I said to my kid a few days ago. “Wait, what?” he asked. “I thought Sukkot was a week and four days after Yom Kippur!” Nope, I told him: it’s just four days after. “Oh yay,” he said. “That means Sukkot is sooner than I thought!”
September 2022 | Elul 5782 & Tishrei 5783
community, days of awe, From The President, Newsletter, spiritual lifeAs we approach the High Holy Days, we’ve entered a period of reflection and assessment. In addition to my own personal reflections, I am also very aware of the passing of one year and the beginning of the next in the communal life of Congregation Beth Israel. With a year under my belt as president, it is a time when I reflect both on what has gone well and what more we need to or can do.