Social Action
HESED U'ZEDAKAH
CBI Volunteers at Berkeley's Men's Shelter
Our tradition teaches that Zedakah hastens the coming of redemption and concern for the other draws us close to the Ultimate Other. Join us as we prepare and serve dinner at Berkeley's Men's Shelter. This is a most appropriate way to connect our Shabbat service to worldly service.
Teen and adult volunteers needed!
Please contact the rabbi and let us know if you would like to join or sponsor this worthy cause.
Fourth Wednesday of every month, 5-8:00 p.m.
CBI Chesed Committee
CBI is creating a group to provide support for those who can use our help during difficult times. The committee will coordinate such tasks as bikkur cholim (visits to the sick) and nichum aveilim (death and mourning). We'll also help coordinate the Shifrah Puah (support related to births). This new Chesed Committee will also provide education on how to comfortably and halachically give this kind of help, looking at what our Jewish tradition teaches about the power and how-to's of doing mitzvot of chesed.
If you would like to participate on this next step in the growth of CBI's massechet of chesed (web of caring) contact Rabbi Mimi Weisel at mimweisel@gmail.com. Book Drive
We are called "The People of the Book", and we have a new opportunity to show that this is true. Thanks to the Jewish Coalition for Literacy (JCL), there are at least two ways that you can help:
1) Please bring your English language books to shul( suitable for children and teens ), and drop them off in the JCL/Beth Israel "book bag" which will be up starting Sunday evening. The JCL will take our books and deliver them to reading sites in Berkeley & the greater East Bay;
2) Volunteer to teach children to read English language books; the JCL will train you to do so. Among the several Berkeley sites where reading assistance this can be given are Washington School (on Bancroft between CBI and Berkeley High), and Cragmont School (at Spruce and Marin).
Please join in this very worthwhile and rewarding effort. Todah.
Food Drive
Please bring non-perishable items for the food bin in our lobby, provided by Alameda County Food Bank.
Our winter holiday dinner drive which we do in conjunction with other synagogues in the East Bay and the Alameda food bank. Last year, with Beth Israel’s help, we were able to raise $79,500 for Bay Area food banks. This year, so far, we have raised over $1000) which went toward Thanksgiving dinners. We are still accepting money so if you have not yet given, you can still do so. It is great if you can give a lot but you also don't have to give much. $20 will feed a family of 4. Thank you.
