The Learning Center is a reality due to our members' generosity. It is more than just a new building; it is a new home for Jewish learning - for adults and children - that will touch the lives of thousands of Reform Jews for at least a half century to come.

The building contains three stories including nearly 39,000 square feet. The Child Development Center, licensed for 85 children from ages 6 weeks to 5 years, occupies the first floor. The second and third floors are used primarily for religious and Hebrew school. There are 29 classrooms for pre-school through 12th grade, as well as Computer, Art and Music Rooms and a student lounge. The clergy office suite is on the second floor, and a spacious new library is on the third. 

Although building construction is complete, our fundraising efforts are unfinished. To date, we have raised $7 million of the $9 million construction costs. We ask Congregation members to be as generous as possible when making pledges, which can be paid over a five-year period.

Permanent Endowment Fund

The Permanent Endowment Fund of Temple Beth Israel was established in July, 1974, to create a permanent fund by which contributions to the Congregation could be segregated for particular uses. Only the income earned by the Fund can be spent. Permitted uses are “major repairs to the physical facilities of Temple Beth Israel, for capital improvements to the physical facilities of Temple Beth Israel, for prayer books and the religious library, for equipment, and for items of extraordinary expense or expenses which are generally non-recurring in nature.”

Over the years income has been used for such items as classroom and Rabbinical office construction, library shelving, computer network server hardware, updating the sound system, and round tables for Smith Auditorium. Most recently, the fund has been utilized to improve technology.

Memorial Plaques to benefit the Permanent Endowment Fund: If you would like more information about honoring a loved one with a yahrzeit plaque on the Perpetual Memorial Wall inside the chapel, please contact Pamela Hanna at 454-6806 or download a form.

The staff and board of trustees of Congregation Beth Israel are always looking for additional assistance in performing the every day and special activities at CBI.   In this section, we will link you to other areas on the website that might have volunteer opportunities, but will also highlight an opportunity that is important to us.

For the first volunteer opportunity of the new website, we are highlighting opportunities surrounding the High Holy Days.  Between bakers, ushers, help with the children's services, reception & new family service, there are a multitude of volunteer jobs to be done.  Peruse through the forms of the High Holy Day packet and let us know how you would like to help.

Going to be out of town for the holidays this year, never fear, we have opportunities for everyone.  Do you like to bake? Bake ahead of time for the children's reception or Break the Fast and we'll freeze the goodies.  (And we can use bakers all year round to help with items for the oneg).  Don't know your way around a kitchen?  Not a problem, we have plenty of opportunities to help with specific events throughout the year or even with this website.

You can also find more ways to volunteer under the volunteer menu item.

Contact Jennifer Smith with your talent, and we'll find a job for you.