"Hineynu" / CBI's Caring Community Program

CBI’s renewed “Hineynu”/Caring Community program is the link to our members from birth until death, in times of sickness and health, and in times of sadness and joy.  Our volunteers work to bring our members closer together and create community where none exists, as well as to bring Judaism to those unable to come to us.

We realize there is no one-size-fits-all approach to helping people and try to respond to each person’s needs individually, reaching out to different members of our sacred community to achieve this.

Some of the Things We Do:

Our goal is to invite as many of CBI's members as possible to do this sacred work ... please let us know if you NEED our help or if you CAN help with these important mitzvahs:

• Hospital Visitation:  When our congregants are in the hospital, we make every effort to fulfill the mitzvah of bikkur cholim, visiting the sick.  Because this is such an important responsiblity for any sacred community, we encourage our members to assist our clergy in fulfilling this sacred task.  Therefore, last year, CBI's clergy hosted training sessions to help our members become more comfortable with the idea of visiting those in our sacred community who need visits.  Please let us know if you are interested in attending one of these training sessions in the future since we would like to schedule additional sessions this year!
• Bereavement Calls:  Judiasm requires that the community support those who have lost loved ones.  To help understand why fulfilling this mitzvah is so important and to make it easier, last year, CBI's clergy hosted training sessions to familiarize our congregants with the customs and rituals surrounding this most sacred mitzvah.  This year, we have scheduled four different educational sessions on "Jewish Views and Dying" and hope that members of our community will assist us in helping those who have suffered a loss.  Additionally, Rabbi Olshein is planning to facilitate a bereavement group in the spring. 
• Mitzvah Meals:  CBI strives to make getting through the day a little bit easier by providing meals to those in need.  While CBI's Sisterhood is often available to make these meals, we are always interested in supplementing Sisterhood's efforts.  Additionally, we also need people to deliver these meals.  Please contact Rabbi Olshein if you would like to make an extra meal or deliver a meal (available for pickup at CBI) for someone going through a challenging time.
• Caring Calls:  Volunteers make calls to "check in" with congregants, help determine how we can help, and to personally invite members to our services.
• Caring Cards:  Volunteers send personalized cards to members recovering from illness or surgery and in times of bereavement.  Our member, Andie Jew, continues to provide the beautiful handmade cards, which CBI member Meryl Wasserman sends out on behalf of the congregation ... but we can always use more help!

Finally, CBI's Hineynu/Caring Community is co-sponsoring a series of four classes this fall regarding "Jewish Views on Death and Dying."  Please click here and scroll down to the bottom to see a list of these classes.

How to Get Started:

If You Need Assistance:  Because of current privacy laws, synagogues are not notified when a congregant is in the hospital.  Therefore, we rely on YOU to let us know when times are difficult or when someone you love is in the hospital.  Please contact Cynthia Orr, CBI's Clergy Assistant, to let us know if you need our assistance. 

To Volunteer:  One of the best ways to develop lasting relationships within our sacred community is to reach out to those in need.  We are curently seeking volunteers for all types of helping tasks and will provide all training you need to help fulfill these important mitzvot.  Please contact Rabbi Olshein or our "Hineynu"/Caring Community Chair, Vivian Ballard to get involved!