CBI Blogs

Shalom Chaverim,

Tomorrow evening will mark the beginning of a new era for CBI. After 18 months of anticipation, conversation, tears shed, hugs shared, and celebrations had, we will be moving forward, continuing to write the history of our beloved community.

As I write to you this afternoon, I find myself reflecting on the eloquent words shared at the end of our service last week by Past-President, Beber Helburn:

“Tonight, we have arrived at the closing of a circle that began 33 years ago. The circle that now with Rabbi Folberg’s foresight and guidance embraces a caring, committed, diverse, and resilient congregation.”

Rabbi Folberg prepared us for this and Rabbi Levy, me, and the rest of the temple staff look forward to carrying his legacy forward and we invite you to join us.

This Friday we will welcome in Shabbat with our Erev Shabbat Service. We will have a special New Member Meet and Greet beginning at 5:45 p.m. and then look forward to honoring and blessing our b’nei mitzvah mentors (a remarkable group of volunteers who meet with our students in the final weeks leading up to when they are called to the Torah) during our service.

The shabbat candles will be lit, the wine will be blessed, and the challah will be shared. Some of you will attend for the “_____” time while others will join us for their first time. Communal prayer and singing will bring us together, providing healing to our souls, and much needed strength as we look ahead to another week.

May we continue to be the welcoming, loving, and caring community we have grown to become.

Shabbat Shalom