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About CBI
TRADITIONAL,
PARTICIPATORY SYNAGOGUE
Congregation B'nai Israel (CBI) was founded in 1980 by
a small group of families concerned with the future of
the Jewish community in central Orange County. As a congregation,
we are still committed to the fulfillment of our original
goals...to maintain the importance of traditional Jewish
values and to foster participatory religious observance.
B'nai Israel is a conservative congregation affiliated
with United Synagogue of America and adheres to its ritual
practices. We are also an egalitarian congregation, where
women have full and equal rights in all aspects of synagogue
life. Since its inception, CBI has flourished in its educational,
religious, cultural and social programs.
RELIGIOUS
PROGRAMS
Services are held each Friday evening at 6:00pm and Shabbat
morning at 9:30am. The nature of our services is participatory;
congregants join Rabbi Elie Spitz and Cantor Marcia Tilchin
in reading Torah, chanting Haftorah, leading services
and moderating discussions. Through communal prayer, we
each grow closer to ourselves and to G-d," says Rabbi
Spitz. Holiday observances often feature special events
or activities. During Shabbat morning services, child
care for our youngest members is available. Elementary
school-age children can join the Junior Congregation.
CREATIVE
LEARNING
We offer an expanding and creative array of educational
programs including a preschool, Hebrew school, Hebrew
high and adult education. We believe that learning and
continuing one's Jewish education are ongoing processes.
B'nai Israel's goal is to provide educational opportunities
that will enrich the whole family.
FAMILY
EDUCATION
Family education is emphasized at CBI. Holidays and life
cycle events are explored in classes and workshops offered
many times throughout the year. Workshops give families
new ideas for celebrating Shabbat, Chanukah, Tu B'Shevat
Passover and other holidays. Classes and retreats explore
issues concerning living Jewishly in Orange County.
ADULT EDUCATION
Adults at B'nai Israel have an ongoing opportunity to
expand their knowledge of Judaism. Adult education classes
are offered throughout the year. Members can take classes
such as synagogue skills, Hebrew reading, kabbalah, kosher
gourmet cooking, Jewish ethics, music and much more. In
addition, adult B'nai Mitzvah classes are offered with
adults participating in a group B'nai Mitzvah at the end
of their studies.
CHILD DEVELOPMENT CENTER
Now in its sixth year, the CDC serves children from eight
weeks old through pre-kindergarten in full-time programs.
The entire staff is trained in early childhood development.
"As teachers, we show the children the door to learning,
and then we let them open it and discover for themselves
what is behind that door", explains the director of the
center. In a warm and loving environment, the children
experience the richness of Jewish culture through activities
such as Israeli dancing, singing, or preparing for a weekly
Shabbat celebration.
RELIGIOUS
SCHOOL
CBI's religious school offers Sunday and after-school
classes for children from kindergarten through Bar/Bat
Mitzvah age. The learning experience is designed to be
exciting, challenging and creative. The curriculum encompasses
t'fillah (prayer), Hebrew Bible, tzedakah (charity), Jewish
life cycle concepts, music and ethics. Parents share in
their children's learning experience through art and discussion
during Family Project Days.
To reinforce the students' synagogue skills, all classes
participate in a Sunday morning service and each grade
level helps lead a monthly Family Service.
Hebrew
High
The popular Hebrew High program is one-of-a-kind and is
open to members of the community. Eighth through twelfth
grade students particpate in an innovative, weekly program
which combines an academic core with an array of electives.
Teenagers explore comparative religions, comparative Judaism,
conversational Hebrew, Pirke Avot (the Sayings of of Fathers),
Holocaust studies and ethics. Jewish art, cooking and
dancing are also included in the curriculum. Tenth graders
participate in confirmation classes.
YOUTH PROGRAMS
USY (United Synagogue Youth) programs are offered for
youngsters from fourth grade through high school. Kadima,
a program for fourth, fifth and sixth graders, introduces
the children to USY through social programs such as baseball
games, pool parties and bowling. Junior USY is for seventh
and eighth graders, who participate in social events as
well as charitable causes. Senior USY is geared for high
school students with an emphasis on leadership, socializing
and tzedakah. Junior and senior USY members meet once
a month for Shabbat Club to lead Friday night services
and have dinner together. CBI teenagers enjoy gathering
in their comfortably furnished youth lounge, complete
with sofas, game tables and a refrigerator.
USY members have the opportunity to attend kinnusim on
a regular basis, where they meet USY'ers from all over
the Western Region. B'nai Israel's USY chapter and its
director, have won numerous awards for programming, spirit
and membership, as well as a Chapter of Excellence award.
COMMUNITY
INVOLVEMENT
Congregation B'nai Israel is proud of its Social Action
and USY programs which join together to make a difference
in the community. Food drives, blood drives, collections
of clothing, shoes, school supplies, books and medical
needs are but a few of the programs our congregation organizes
to try to make our world a better place.
The CBI Enrichment Endowment was recently established
to bring speakers who are nationally and internationally
notable Jewish scholars and authors to Orange County.
At the Endowment's inaugural event, Elie Wiesel captivated
a standing-room only audience. Other speakers have included
Alan Dershowitz, Noam Zion and Mordechai Gafni.
An Extended Family
In many ways, the synagogue serves as an extended family
for our congregants' significant life cycle events. With
joy, we celebrate together events such as baby namings,
brit milah, b'nai mitzvah and weddings. During times of
grief, we also join together in support, by assisting
at funerals and shiva minyans.
SOCIAL OPPORTUNITIES
B'nai Israel offers its members a wide range of social
opportunities in addition to religious and educational
programs. From an award winning USY chapter to family
get-togethers, the synagogue offers many exciting ways
to meet people and get involved in the fun!
There is always something going on at CBI. Family Shabbat
dinners are held several times a year after Friday night
services. Other regular events include yearly family bingo
nights, Chanukah and Purim carnivals, golf tournaments
and ski trips to name a few.
Sisterhood and
Men's Club
Both groups are actively involved in synagogue life, sponsoring
social, education and religious programs for their members.
The Sisterhood also runs the Judaic Gift Shop with all
profits benefiting the synagogue. A beautiful selection
of unique ceremonial items, children's toys and books
are available for gift giving or home use.
Chavurot
If you're looking to join a group of families with interests
similar to your own, you're looking for a Chavurah. Eight
to 12 families per Chavurah are grouped according to interests,
ages of children, etc., and enjoy social and educational
activities together.
For more information about Congregation B'nai Israel or
any of our programs, please e-mail
us or call the synagogue office at 714-730-9693.
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Untitled Document
For information about Congregation B'nai Israel
or any of our programs,
please e-mail us
or call the synagogue office at 714-730-9693. Please send your comments
about this website to the CBI
Webmaster.
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