CBI Blogs

Healing rifts among people is considered a fundamental aspect of preparing spiritually for the new year, especially during the month of Elul. This period is a time for introspection, repentance, and seeking reconciliation with those whom we have wronged or hurt. According to the Talmud, in Baba Metzia 58b, there is a clear directive on how individuals should approach...Read more...

There is a person in my life who struggles with addiction and other mental health issues. It’s very difficult to be in communication and contact with this person. I made a choice years ago to no longer speak with them, allowing space and time to grow between us. I have often said, “Toxic is toxic, even if you’re related.”

Recently, this person chose to...Read more...

On Fridays, we email two Elul Thoughts, out of respect for those of us who choose not to look at email on Shabbat. We wish you a blessed and restful Shabbat and hope you continue finding inspiration in our Elul Thoughts.

Want to know a terrible and badly kept secret? Almost every family has rifts and estrangements. It is not often discussed, but we notice...Read more...

The High Holy Days are late this year.

I know, I know…they always start on the first of Tishrei, so they are always right on time. We measure our lives by time and by what is happening when. But time is a construct—a measurement of distance and how we move through space. You have probably heard that the term “light year” is a measurement of how far light travels in a year. I was always told it is bad form to use...Read more...

Tzedakah tatzel mimavet. Tzedakah delivers [a person] from death.

This phrase comes up quite a few times in our sacred texts. Twice in the book of Proverbs the phrase serves as a foil to a line about the futility of gathering wealth (10:2 and 11:4). The Talmud uses it as a seal to a list of ten things that are hard, with death being the tenth hard thing, but the assurance that tzedakah delivers from death (Baba Batra 10a). My favorite...Read more...

When I first came to CBI six years ago, I was thrilled to join such an inclusive and welcoming community. It was clear from the beginning of my tenure that our community strives to create space for every person who walks through our doors, no matter what. I was equally thrilled to discover that, true to Austin form, Pride was held during the month of August rather than June....Read more...

A very popular section of the Mishnah known as Pirkei Avot teaches:

Whoever possesses three things is of the disciples of Abraham, our ancestor; and [whoever possesses] three other things is of the disciples of Balaam, the wicked. A good eye, a humble spirit and a moderate appetite are of the disciples of Abraham, our father. An evil eye, a haughty spirit and a limitless appetite are of the disciples of...Read more...

I had the opportunity to sit down with Rabbi David Young, our new Interim Senior rabbi to ask him a few questions about his rabbinate, his life, and what he's looking forward to doing during his time in Austin. Please enjoy our brief interview!

What are you excited to explore in Austin?

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This week, the United States marked the celebration of Juneteenth. While this day only became a federal holiday in 2021, People of Color and other communities have commemorated the liberation of slaves in the U.S. since 1866. Of course, we do have to wonder why it took so long for this country to honor the significance of this date. And, we also wonder why it took so long for...Read more...

*Photo caption: Rabbi Folberg and me in August 2018 enjoying ice cream on a very hot day at the mikvah

For centuries, we have looked to the wise words of our sages to better understand our experiences during life. One of the best sources of wisdom...Read more...

Shalom Chaverim,

This week I had the opportunity to attend Hava Nashira at our very own URJ’s Greene Family Camp. Over the years, I have attended this remarkable conference/retreat twice when it was hosted at its original home in Wisconsin at Olin Sang Ruby Institute (lovingly referred to as OSRUI), another URJ camp.

To say this experience was...Read more...

As we return to the consumption of chametz and all that we love about complex carbohydrates that are not matzah our calendar now has a focus on Israeli holidays.

In Austin we are fortunate to have a large Israeli community and Shalom Austin and the Dell JCC is the place where we can celebrate the joys and oys of Israeli life. Given all that we have been through since October 7th I...Read more...

Dear Ones,

My heart is very full as I sift through all the vivid memories from the Gather in Gratitude celebration of this past weekend. The Friday night Shabbat service, the Gala fundraiser on Saturday night, and the picnic on Sunday, floated on a river of love, memories, gratitude and shared experience. I am grateful beyond words to all of you who attended one or more of these events. Let me again offer my special...Read more...

Dear Ones,

Since it was confirmed 18 months ago that my tenure as the Senior Rabbi of CBI would conclude at the end of June 2024, I had a feeling the time would move quickly, but I had no idea just how subjectively speedily those 18 months would pass. Here we are: it is April 4 as I write these words, and the end of June is just under two and one half months away. I am deep into the process of sorting through the contents of my...Read more...

Dear Ones,

As a Rabbi of nearly 40 years, I sometimes think of this time of year in the Jewish calendar as a snowball rolling down a hill, getting bigger and bigger, faster and faster, or as a runaway train with no brakes. Anybody who works in a synagogue would be able to relate to this sensation of accelerating busyness encapsulated in a rush of special days.

It starts with Purim in late winter or early spring, followed...Read more...