FAQ
Who comes to CBI?
Everyone. Our oldest member just turned 104, our newest members rock their "Littlest CBI'er" bibs at our Bite Size Shabbat services. CBIers live all over Orange County (and even a few members come join us from further away). We warmly welcome interfaith families, LGBTQ families, and really all families (and singles!) to be part of our CBI Village.
Do I need to be a member to come to CBI?
Nope, you do not need to be a member to attend any of our Shabbat services or programs (though some do require pre-registration, when in doubt - call). For High Holy Days we offer the ability for non-members to purchase tickets. We want you to come and check us out and then you can decide whether this is the place you want to officially call your home.
What movement of Judaism are you associated with?
Congregation B'nai Israel is part of the Conservative/Masorti Movement, and is a member of the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism. We are proud to be part of a movement that takes tradition very seriously while at the same time being open to being a constant "work in progress" - as Judaism always has been!
Do you have programs for my kids?
CBI has programs for kids of all ages -- from our Child Development Center through our Religious School and Hebrew High, our award winning Youth Department, Bite Size services (ages 0-6) and Jr. Congregation (elementary kids), and our beloved Camp B'nai Ruach during the Summer, we are here to help raise the next generation of Jewish kids. We love that our kids feel like CBI is their second home.
Can I convert to Judaism at CBI?
Yes, we love welcoming new and prospective Jews by Choice to our community. We host an ongoing Introduction to Judaism class that attracts people of all backgrounds. In fact, our Rabbi spent ten years running the biggest conversion program in North America, and has a special love for helping converts find their way into the Jewish family.
Do you keep kosher?
Our congregants keep all different levels of kashrut in their home, but our facility is fully kosher so that we can welcome all members of the Jewish community to have a nosh with us.
Do you have security at CBI?
Given our world, security has become a growing need for all synagogues. Thankfully, our campus is highly secure, with a layered approach to security that includes both professional and volunteer security. We can't go into all the security measures we have in place, but rest assured that whenever you set foot at CBI, you've got plenty of people watching out for you.
Have questions we haven't yet answered? Give us a call, 714-730-9693, or shoot us an email, cbi18@cbi18.org, and let's start a conversation!