Congregation Beth Israel

Join Us We are an inclusive and welcoming Reform Jewish congregation from diverse backgrounds joined together to celebrate Jewish culture, education, and the arts MEMBERSHIP

Gather With Us Congregation Beth Israel’s mission is to be a welcoming and inclusive center for Jewish life in the Monterey Peninsula area.

Learn With Us As a center for Jewish life in our area, accessible to Jews of all backgrounds and their families, Congregation Beth Israel will serve as a house of prayer, a house of study, and a house of community, consistent with Jewish values and ethics. EDUCATION

Worship With Us Congregation Beth Israel is the dynamic, vibrant center for Jewish life in the Monterey Peninsula area. Our members celebrate and nurture relationships with God and with each other while respecting and wrestling with our Jewish tradition. Our doors are open to all who seek the guidance of our Jewish faith. We strive to make a positive impact on our community, the environment, and on the human condition through Tikkun Olam. WORSHIP

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Thank You for Your Support

As we step into the next phase of CBI's clergy transition, we are asking for your input. This survey is the beginning of the process of finding a new rabbi. Please take some time to be part of the process. Everyone's input is needed to make this successful. Please click the link to the survey. It should take less than 10 minutes to complete and the impact for CBI will last much longer.
The survey will close on May 27, 2024.

Join Us for These Special Events

Click Any Event Below for Information & Registration

All Events

Thursday ,
MayMay 2 , 2024

Lunch with our Clergy
Thursday, May 2nd 12:00p to 1:00p
This month, Cantor Alisa Fineman will lead our discussion. Sign up below or call the CBI office at 624-2015 to RSVP. As always we will be ordering off their menu so expect lunch to be approximately $25.
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Sunday ,
MayMay 5 , 2024

Yom HaShoah Observance
Sunday, May 5th 7:00p to 9:00p
Join us at 7pm when we gather in our Sanctuary to honor and remember those who lost their lives and those who managed to survive the Holocaust. We will begin the evening with readings and the lighting of 6 Shiva candles, each candle representing 1 million lives lost. Henry Michalski, the author of Torn Lilacs, A true WWII story of Love, Defiance and Hope will then share his family’s personal story found within his book. After a Q and A session we will end the evening with the recitation of the Kaddish as we remember the 6 million Jews (and millions of others) who perished in the Holocaust. Copies of Mr. Michalski’s book will be available for purchase following the program.
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Saturday ,
MayMay 11 , 2024

Bella! This Women's Place is in the House - A Film Event
Shabbat, May 11th 7:00p to 9:00p
Join us for an evening of film, discussion, and dessert. Hear from Rabbi Leah Novick who once served as Chief Aide to Bella Abzug.
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Tuesday ,
MayMay 14 , 2024

Yom HaAtzmaut
Tuesday, May 14th 6:00p to 8:00p
This month we celebrate the modern state of Israel’s 76 th anniversary. Join us Tuesday, May 14 at 6:00 PM as we support Israel with a Yom HaAtzmaut community gathering. We will enjoy a light nosh of Israeli foods including falafel, pita, humus, salad and drinks. One or two of our members who have recently returned from Israel will share stories and maybe some pictures of their experiences volunteering and touring. Bring your dance shoes because rumor has it some Israeli folk songs will lead us to some Israeli folk dances. Let’s celebrate the 76 years of our modern Jewish Homeland. Call the rabbi if you want to help with the food or leading some of the Israeli folk dances. This is a great event for both younger and older CBI members. Please RSVP below or by calling the office.
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Wednesday ,
MayMay 15 , 2024

Best Year Out to Lunch Again!
Wednesday, May 15th 12:00p to 1:00p
Our Best Years members enjoy a variety of programs, but it seems that one of the most popular gatherings is a lunch outing. Let’s do it again. Join us on Wednesday, May 15 at noon as we return to RG Burgers in the Crossroads for another delicious lunch. Meet us at the restaurant at noon. The Senior Endowment Fund always pays for these lunches. You must RSVP either online or calling the CBI office by Tuesday, May 14 for this free lunch. Please let us know if you need a ride to this event.
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Sunday ,
MayMay 19 , 2024

Chevra Kadisha Training Temple Beth El, Aptos, CA
Sunday, May 19th 10:00a to 3:00p
Chevra Kadisha Training: Introduction to Tahara and Shmira Sunday, May 19, 10 am-3 pm Temple Beth El, 3055 Rodeo Gulch Road, Aptos, CA The Chevra Kadisha is a centuries-old Jewish ritual, often called ‘Burial Society,” but better translated as the ‘Sacred Society’ or better yet, ‘Holy Friends.’ In a congregational setting, the mitzvah of guarding (Shmira) and ceremonially preparing our own deceased for burial (Taharah) brings the reality of life’s fragility into sharp focus. Far from depressing, it can awaken us to the exquisite preciousness of life. Members of the Temple Beth El Chevra Kadisha in Aptos are offering this introduction to the central practices for those wishing to learn the tradition and to build a Chevra Kadisha here in Monterey County, strengthening our resources in the north and south as one collective community in the Monterey Bay. Those with medical backgrounds are especially encouraged to consider attending. This event is jointly sponsored with Chadeish Yameinu, the Jewish Renewal Community of Santa Cruz. Reservations are required; for more information, please email chevrakadishasantacruz@gmail.com and cantoralisa@carmelbethisrael.org Those willing to carpool, please contact Donna in the office at 831-624-2015 or donna@carmelbethisrael.org .
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Saturday ,
JunJune 8 , 2024

Women's Shabbaton
Shabbat, Jun 8th 10:00a to 2:30p
Prayer & New Moon blessings led by Cantor Alisa and Rabbi Leah and Torah study led by Dr. Beryl Levinger 10:00 AM to 2:30PM. Lunch provided by CBI with a suggested donation of $18.00 to offset costs. Kindly register online at below or call the office at 831-624-2015 so we can plan accordingly!
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Tuesday ,
JunJune 11 , 2024

Erev Shavuot Teaching with Rabbi Bruce
Tuesday, Jun 11th 7:00p to 9:00p

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Wednesday ,
JunJune 12 , 2024

Best Years: An Offering of Love Songs and 'First Fruits' in Celebration of Shavuot!
Wednesday, Jun 12th 1:00p to 3:00p
Rabbi Eli Cohen of Chadeish Yameinu in Santa Cruz and opera singer Akindele ‘Akiva’ Bankole join Cantor Alisa Fineman and Kimball Hurd in concert, offering a program of love songs in celebration of Shavuot. Our Sages liken Shavuot to a wedding anniversary, when we stand together again at the mountain as one people, one heart, to receive the gift of Torah— our k’tubah (wedding contract)—between the Divine and the Jewish people, alluding to the quality of relationship we can experience with our Creator, the Source of Life. Open to all CBI Members! Rabbi Eli Cohen, spiritual leader of Chadeish Yameinu Jewish Renewal of Santa Cruz, grew up in a Conservative Jewish home infused with Yiddish language and culture. After practicing law as a public defender, he received smicha (ordination) from Rabbi Zalman Schachter- Shalomi and the Aleph Rabbinic Program in 2005. In the lineage of his teachers, Rabbi Eli brings a strong commitment to bridge religious and progressive values, and to carry the depth and joy of Judaism into the emerging paradigm. Akindele ‘Akiva’ Olanrewaju Bankole, a German-born Nigerian- American, began his formal singing with the Sacramento State University Opera Workshop where he had his Opera debut in the lead role of ‘Smiley’ in the Jumping Frog of Calaveras County, a story by Mark Twain. Bankole later joined Sacramento City Opera and thereafter, Opera San Jose. As a composer, Bankole writes his vocal lyrics in several languages, including Yoruba (his native language). He has written several arts songs; piano, vocal, choral, and orchestral works and is currently working on an Opera Lola’s Wedding. As part of his compositional repertoire, Bankole combines his traditional Yoruba tribe tonal and rhythmic melodies with western classical genre, which he calls “Classical Fusion”. FREE EVENT - Please register below or by calling the office.
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