The Caring Community of Congregation Beth Israel mobilizes assistance to meet the needs of members of our community.  You already know the wonderful feelings of connection and purpose one experiences from fulfilling mitzvot by helping another person.

If each of us contributes just a little, we can accomplish a great deal and truly be “a caring congregation.” 

Our Caring Community provides assistance in many ways, such as:

• Providing support to families who are grieving the lost of a loved one
• Supply and deliver cooked meals to members who are ill
• Assist members with various transportation issues
• Visiting the elderly and ailing
• Repond to the needs of our members 

Please inform The Rabbi if you know of an individual who is in the hospital or in need of assistance.

Caring Community 

Without You, We Are One Volunteer Short!                          

The Caring Community invites you to help us realize our goal of having every congregant be a member of our Caring Community.

The Caring Community is an unusual committee, because to be a “member,” you only need to be a member of CBI.   You do not need to come to meetings or do anything at all “for” the committee on any regular basis.  However, there is something for every individual and family to do on our committee.  If you have a little time to give and want to do something caring, even just one time, then we invite you to join our Caring Community.

What Do Caring Community Volunteers Do?

·       We visit people in hospitals, nursing homes, or in their homes.

·       We shop, prepare and deliver meals.

·       We provide transportation to doctor appointments, services and synagogue events.

·       We comfort the bereaved.

When we perform a mitzvah for others, we strengthen them, our entire community, and ourselves. Want more information? Download our informational brochure. If you would like to help this wonderful group to provide a caring community for our congregation, <click here> to download the following Caring Community Volunteer Form. Upon completion, mail, fax or bring it to CBI.

We need your support and help.  The Caring Community is derived from our wonderful CBI members who unite through volunteering their time and support.  Join the Caring Committee to support the bereaved, to visit the sick, to lend a hand to those in need in our community.  We are looking for volunteers to help with cooking for those in mourning and those who are recovering from an illness, help with transportation, visiting and more. 

CaregIver’s Corner

by CBI’s Caring Community Chair, Allison Kaye

CBI’s Caring Community continues to embody the core values of our congregation that nurtures with integrity, respect, and compassion.  This monthly writing intends to continue to build on our foundational community strengths, as we honor where we have been and continue to engage in sacred meaningful mitzvot that supports our spiritual communal CBI family.

Many of us espouse the belief that:

To give is to receive…

…and to receive is to give.

                                                                                               Author Unknown

With this in mind, let us remember the “I” in caregIver and the “I” in mItzvah.  Observe the large “I”: not a little “i” contained within both words.  Let us be reminded of the inextricable realities of self-care and caregiving as we take a moment to reflect on the words of Hillel, first-century Rabbi & scholar who wrote about Jewish perspectives that explore personal, family, & community responsibilities.

If I am not for myself, who will be for me?

If I am only for myself, what am I?

If not now, when?

                                                                                               In Pirkei Avot 1:14

Interpretation of Rabbi Hillel’s quote challenges us with the notion to find balance between self-care and care of others.  For if I do not care for my basic needs of nourishment, that includes physical, emotional, & spiritual care, then who will?  To be effective and serve others well, includes the ability to ensure that personal basic needs receive the same loving attention generously and often inherently bestowed upon others. If I am solo-focused and isolated from others, the pure joy of giving with sense of meaning that lays the foundational bricks and mortar of our Jewish community suffers.  At the same time, recipients of care or care-receivers afford individual community members to perform mitzvot, to establish bonds, and to be a part of something larger than ourselves. With that in mind, Happy, Healthy New Year to all, as we continue in the tradition of our sacred congregation to recognize, acknowledge, and honor the “I” in caregIver as we engage in sacred acts of caregiving when opportunities arise.  Subsequently, mItzvot abound and our Caring Community strengthens. As for Rabbi Hillel’s third line:  When is now a good time to perform mitzvot and strengthen our Caring Community as both givers and receivers of care?

All congregation members who share interest in service to CBI’s Caring Community are encouraged to complete the enclosed Caring Community Volunteer Sign-Up Sheet and return to CBI’s office or feel free to contact Allison Kaye at info@ask-ada.com with your expressed interest, ideas, or suggestions.

(Reference:   That You May Live Long:  Jewish Perspectives on Caregiving,

                                                       Edited by Richard F. Address & Hara E. Person, 2003).