Shalom and welcome to Congregation Beth Israel. We are the largest and oldest Synagogue on the Monterey Peninsula. There is a strong sense of community here. We want all our members and visitors to feel comfortable at CBI.
We are a Reform Congregation, a member of the Union For Reform Judaism, in the mainstream of liberal Judaism. As liberal Jews we look to our heritage as a repository of wisdom, insight and numerous possibilities for religious expression.
We welcome you to join us at one of our Friday evening or Saturday morning Shabbat services. To learn more about the Temple through personal contact, please contact our Temple office at (831) 624-2015 or E-mail shalomcbi@aol.com. We would be delighted to go over membership possibilities for you and to answer any questions you might have.
Peace and blessings,
Rabbi Bruce D. Greenbaum
Congregation Beth Israel Celebrates Rabbi Bruce D. Greenbaum’s Honorary Doctorate of Divinity
Congregation Beth Israel is proud to recognize Rabbi Bruce D. Greenbaum as a recipient of a Doctorate of Divinity from Hebrew Union College – Jewish Institute of Religion. The honorary degree marks the 25th anniversary of his rabbinical ordination.
Rabbi Greenbaum began his service to Congregation Beth Israel in June 1994. For seven years prior to moving to the Monterey Peninsula he served as the Associate Rabbi in Congregation Emanuel in Denver, Colorado.
Rabbi Greenbaum previously completed His undergraduate studies at University of Wisconsin in Madison with one year spent at Hebrew University in Jerusalem resulted in a double BA in Hebrew Studies and Sociology. He then enrolled in Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion where he received a MA in Hebrew Letters, a second MA in Jewish Education, and was ordained in 1987. The first year of his graduate studies was in Jerusalem, followed by three years in Los Angeles, California and the last two years at HUC-JIR in Cincinnati, Ohio.
We invite you to come celebrate Rabbi Bruce Greenbaum’s 25th ordination year with Congregation Beth Israel! The congregation will honor Rabbi Greenbaum for his latest achievement during Erev Shabbat Service, with special guests and anniversary blessings, beginning at 7:30PM. A lavish oneg will follow services.
Scholar-in-Residence Program with Norma Libman, June 1 - 2
Make sure to save Friday and Saturday, June 1-2 for our scholar-in-residence program with Norma Libman. Norma is a journalist and educator with degrees in both from Northeastern Illinois University. With over 500 articles published in newspapers nationwide, she has taught at universities, colleges, and workshops around the country. Norma lectures extensively on subjects of Jewish history and culture, particularly, the story of the Conversos and Cypto-Jews, who are descendents of the forced converts of the Spanish Inquisition.
Join us Friday evening, June 1, beginning at 6:00 p.m. We will gather in our social hall for a Shabbat dinner (only $20 for member adults, $25. non-member adults and $12 for children under 13) followed by Norma's first presentation. Beginning at approximately 6:45 p.m., her talk is titled "How the Jews lived in Spain before and during the Inquisition and how they got to the New World." Please call the office ASAP to make your reservations for the Shabbat dinner. An abbreviated Shabbat service and oneg will follow her talk.
Saturday morning, in lieu of our regular Torah study at 10:30 a.m., Norma will lead a discussion/study entitled "The secret lives of the Jews in the American Southwest." This talk is based on her personal interviews of more than 50 families. Bagels and cream cheese along with coffee will be provided (donations always appreciated).
Saturday evening we will gather at 7:00 p.m. for a Havdalah service and chocolate dessert buffet followed by her final presentation "How Conversos and Crypto-Jews live today and what happens to those who want to return to normative Judaism." While this evening event is free for all CBI members, we will have a donations basket on the buffet table and ask for a $10 donation from non-CBI members attending.
Because of the Ted Orliss Scholar-in-Residence Fund, CBI is able to welcome scholars like Norma Libman to our community. This will be a special weekend for all those who participate. Please share this information with your family and friends. All three of her sessions should be enriching, enlightening, and uplifting.
The scholar-in-residence program is made possible by the generous endowment of the Ted Orliss Scholar-in-Residence Fund.
Congregation Beth Israel's Furry Friends Festival
On June 10, from 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM, the Furry Friends Festival will feature fun activities for people and their dogs:
Contests: Best Trick, Best Costume, Owner/Dog Look-alike and more! Activities will include a Dog Play Area, Dog Treat Stations, Dog Whisperer, Agility Area, Dog Photographer, Dog Blessing. Also meet a new furry family member from the SPCA. Shop at the Vendor Range: Pet toys, clothes, goodies, and other miscellaneous items. Visit with Vets, Dog Walkers, Pet Sitters, Pet Supplies, and Groomers at their booths. Food will be available for purchase including Hot Dogs, Treats, Animal Crackers, Beverages, and more. Auction: Exciting silent auction with pet and people items. Admission fee for dogs: $15 per dog. (Includes Dog Blessing, treat and entry into one contest. Each additional contest is $5). Free admission for the dog’s entire family and friends. $5 from each admission benefits the SPCA for Monterey County. If you are a PET LOVER, you will want to be a part of this event!
If you are a PET LOVER, you will want to be a part of this new exciting event. To be a vendor, sponsor or volunteer, contact Steve Ryter sryter@mac.com, or Bee Epstein-Shepherd, DrBeeMM@aol.com.
Rabbi Bruce and Susan Greenbaum plan to lead another group to Israel in October of 2012. We are scheduled to arrive to Jerusalem on October 18, the same time Hadassah’s convention is ending! We will then spend Sabbath evening in Jerusalem and celebrate Shabbat morning in one of the oldest synagogues in the world, on Masada!
This trip will include time in Tel Aviv, a visit to the Golan Heights, and touring both modern and biblical sites throughout Israel. The 10-day trip will include an optional 3-day add-on visit through Eilat to Petra in Jordan! It is not too early to start planning. A registration form will be available soon. Call Rabbi Greenbaum for more details and to add your name to the growing list of those hoping to join this adventure through Israel!
Visit Our New Online Gift Shop
Located in the lobby of the synagogue, the Judaica Gift Shop is the pride of the Congregation Beth Israel. The Judaica Gift Shop provides a wide selection of quality Judaica gift items for your convenience. Beautiful and distinctive gifts for any Judiaica occasion. Including, music from our Cantorial Soloist, Alisa Fineman. Every purchase made, supports our Religious School program.
Congregation Beth Israel is also proud of our brand new Judaica gift shop website! Through our virtual site, we offer shoppers an unparalleled selection of often hard to find items from a wide range of the finest artists, designers, and suppliers. You will find Judaica appropriate for all lifecycles, holidays, events and just for fun...all in one convenient, easy to navigate website. Our products include American, globally crafted and Israeli handmade items, personalized and custom-created gift ideas, and the leading names in Judaic design.
CBI Judaica Gift Shop hours are Monday – Thursday: 10:00 am - 4:00 pm,Friday: 10:00 am - 3:00 pm. Our online gift shop is always open and available. We have many unique and beautiful Judaica gift ideas ready to ship to your door. Each purchase supports our Religious School programs.
Shalom and welcome to Congregation Beth Israel. We are the largest and oldest Synagogue on the Monterey Peninsula. There is a strong sense of community here. We want all our members and visitors to feel comfortable at CBI.
Make sure to save Friday and Saturday, June 1-2 for our scholar-in-residence program with Norma Libman. Norma is a journalist and educator with degrees in both from Northeastern Illinois University. With over 500 articles published in newspapers nationwide, she has taught at universities, colleges, and workshops around the country. Norma lectures extensively on subjects of Jewish history and culture, particularly, the story of the Conversos and Cypto-Jews, who are descendents of the forced converts of the Spanish Inquisition. 
On June 10, from 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM, the Furry Friends Festival will feature fun activities for people and their dogs:
Rabbi Bruce and Susan Greenbaum plan to lead another group to Israel in October of 2012. We are scheduled to arrive to Jerusalem on October 18, the same time Hadassah’s convention is ending! We will then spend Sabbath evening in Jerusalem and celebrate Shabbat morning in one of the oldest synagogues in the world, on Masada! 
