Congregation Beth Israel (CBI)

09/05/2026

TONIGHT (7:00 PM): Selichot & Havdalah & Movie Screening 📽️🍿

We hope you will join Rabbi for Havdalah as we bid farewell to the last Shabbat of the old year 5786. Afterwards, we will screen "You Can Count On Me" (2000) to help us reflect on themes such as forgiveness, change, and new beginnings that we will encounter in the New Year.

Kenneth Lonergan’s You Can Count On Me (2000) follows Sammy (Laura Linney), a structured single mother whose orderly life is shaken when her adrift, estranged brother Terry (Mark Ruffalo) unexpectedly returns home. Orphaned at a young age, the siblings cope with shared trauma in opposite ways—Sammy through rigid control and Terry through reckless avoidance. As Terry bonds with Sammy's young son, their reunion exposes the hidden flaws, lingering grief, and complex unconditional love that tie them together.

Directed by Kenneth Lonergan with Laura Linney, Matthew Broderick, ...

09/04/2026

Shanah Tova U’metukah! It's the last Shabbat before the High Holidays - we hope you'll join us for the following services:

Friday, September 4, 6:15 pm
Kabbalat Shabbat
Service Leader: Cantor Sharon McCord
On YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/live/C2ZCRxrpJSE

Saturday, September 5, 10:00 am
Traditional Egalitarian (lay-led)

09/03/2026

Happy 20th anniversary to one of CBI's finest - Jill Abbey-Clark! Thank you, Jill, for creating a loving home for all of CBI's children, for teaching Judaism in nature, for supporting our parents, and for still finding time to dream big (FOREST SCHOOL, anyone?!?).

At Tuesday's staff retreat the CBI staff did a lot of planning for the future, took a fun boat ride, and celebrated Jill and her many contributions to our community.

08/28/2026

We kiddush you not - it's Shabbat! (straight to the punitentiary for this one). But wordplay aside - we'd love to have you at the following services:

Friday, August 28, 6:15 pm
Kabbalat Shabbat
On YouTube: https://youtube.com/live/4caQk4iLi8s?feature=share
Service Leader: Cantor Sharon McCord

Saturday, August 29, 10:00 am
Traditional Egalitarian (lay-led)

08/27/2026

Extra extra, read all about it! 🏆🥇

CBI and the Forest School won first place in the categories "place of worship" and "preschool" - thank you to everyone who voted for us - it's an honor!

Dive into our extensive resources on the topic that interests you. It's like a masterclass to be explored at your own pace.

08/27/2026

Rabbi Tom did the math - it's been 156 years since a Jewish cemetery was dedicated in Charlottesville (The Hebrew cemetery in the city was dedicated before CBI existed in the 1860s). This past Sunday we dedicated the Jewish section of Riverview cemetery - many thanks to everyone who made this milestone possible!

08/21/2026

It's Friday and we think you deserve a break! Join us to celebrate, pray and sing at Shabbat In The Park TONIGHT at 6:15 pm (registration link can be found in this week's newsletter), or at our traditional egalitarian service TOMORROW MORNING at 10:00 am (also available on YouTube: https://youtube.com/live/lP-CC52VtUw?feature=share )

08/14/2026

It's the first day of Elul today as we are hurtling towards the High Holidays! Get into the spirit early and join Rabbi Tom TONIGHT at 6:15pm for our contemplative Shabbat service (also available on YouTube: https://youtube.com/live/DUgBBlECp6A?feature=share ) or join our traditional egalitarian service TOMORROW MORNING at 10:00 am!

07/24/2026

We've done the math - and according to our calculations IT'S ALMOST SHABBAT. Now we hope we can count (get it?!) ON YOU for the following services:

Friday, July 24, 6:15 pm
Kabbalat Shabbat (Ied by Cantor Sharon McCord)
On YouTube: https://youtube.com/live/HV7VgowxBiE?feature=share

Saturday, July 25, 10:00 am
Traditional Egalitarian (lay-led)

07/17/2026

Shabbat is around the corner - but unfortunately the heavy smog and air pollution from the forest fires in Canada is enveloping our area - we have decided to cancel service tonight, but hope to see you at our traditional egalitarian service TOMORROW MORNING at 10:00 am!