Welcome to Congregation Beth Israel
Beneath our dome is a spiritual home, a place of community and friendship, a place to be inspired through prayer, a place for lifelong learning, and a place where every person makes a difference.
Chanukah 5785
Chanukah 5785 will begin on Wednesday, December 25, 2024 and conclude on Thursday, January 1, 2025
Your CBI clergy, staff, and volunteers have prepared holiday celebrations to bring the light to community members of all ages. Get your dreidels ready, decide between applesauce and sour cream, and mark your calendars for:
WRJ/Beth Israel Chanukah Gift Wrap Sale
Sunday, December 8, 9:15 AM – 1:00 PM
In-Person ONLY
WRJ/Beth Israel Sisterhood Gift Shop
All proceeds benefit the CBI Religious School
Chanukah Fair for PreK-Second Graders
for enrolled Religious School Students
Sunday, December 15, 10:00 AM
In-Person ONLY
Blumauer Auditorium
WRJ/Beth Israel Sisterhood Chanukah White Elephant Party
Thursday, December 19, 6:30 PM
In-Person ONLY
Goodman Hall
Chanukah Family Shabbat
Friday, December 20, 6:30 PM
In-Person and Online
Goodman Hall
Celebrate Chanukah (a little early) at Congregation Beth Israel with a music filled, family friendly Shabbat service! We’ll have latkes and donuts, and an extra special lights display set up (with blow ups!) for everyone to enjoy.
Chanukah Tot Shabbat
Saturday, December 21, 9:00 AM
In-Person ONLY
Pollin Chapel
Omek Latke Cooking
Sunday, December 22, 3:00 PM
In-Person ONLY
Goodman Hall and Kitchen
Chanukah First Candle
Wednesday, December 25
Chanukah Second Candle
Thursday, December 26
Chanukah Third Candle
Friday, December 27
Kabbalat Shabbat in Chanukah: a SHIR Joy! Event
with music from Bruce Neswick and Aaron Kahn
Friday, December 27, 6:00 PM
In-Person and Online
Main Sanctuary
An evening of music and light featuring musical virtuosi organist Bruce Neswick and trumpeter Aaron Kahn. Celebrate the radiance and resonance of the holiday as we light the third candle together
This program is part of SHIR Joy!, our yearlong music and cultural celebration of Cantor Ida Rae Cahana in her retirement year.
SHIR Joy is made possible through the generosity of our sponsors, led by Presenting Sponsor Marci Tonkin.
Chanukah Fourth Candle
Saturday, December 28
Latkes and Vodkas
presented by CBI Brotherhood
Saturday, December 28, 2:00 PM
In-Person ONLY
Goodman Hall
Click to RSVP
Chanukah Fourth Candle
Saturday, December 28
Chanukah Fifth Candle
Sunday, December 29
Rabbi Joseph’s Chanukah Open House
Sunday, December 29, 4:00 PM-6:00 PM
In Person ONLY
RSVP for address
Chanukah Seventh Candle
Tuesday, December 31
Chanukah Eighth Candle
Wednesday, January 1
Traditional Rosh Hashanah Services
Click to read Cantor Ida Rae Cahana’s Rosh Hashanah Sermon, Saying L’Chayim! In the Face of Change
Traditional Kol Nidre Service
Rabbi Rachel Joseph’s sermon begins at 1:32:55
Traditional Yom Kippur Service
Click to read Rabbi Michael Z, Cahana’s sermon, New Anti-Semitism: Sane as it Ever Was
December Shabbatot
Shabbat Evening Service
with Guest Sermon
from Rabbi Meier Azari
Israel in a Crossroads: a Reform Jewish Perspective
Friday, December 6, 6:00 PM
In-Person and Online
Pollin Chapel
Rabbi Azari, Senior Rabbi of The Beit Daniel Centers for Progressive Judaism will address the congregation. The Centers’ mission is to provide Israelis with meaningful opportunities to explore and embrace Reform Judaism and build an Israeli society that promotes tolerance, inclusivity, and equality.
Oneg! Shabbat
Friday, December 13, 6:00 PM
In-Person and Online
Main Sanctuary
CBI’s Oneg! Singers and Oneg! Band bring their talents to the bimah for this special musical Shabbat. Led by Cantor Rayna Green and Jonathan Meek, our youth musicians add ruach (spirit) to CBI celebrations.
Looking for an Oneg! encore? The groups will also perform alongside the Mazeltones at Cedar Sinai Park’s Chanukah celebration at 1:00 PM on Sunday, December 8.
Harmony Through Sustainability: Building a Sustainable Future for People and Nature in the Negev
Tuesday, November 19, 7:00 PM
In-Person and Online
Pollin Chapel
CBI welcomes Dr. Muhammad Al-Anbari and Nimrod Rogel, chairman and CEO respectively of Project Wadi Attir, an organization that is building a model for sustainable development that bridges people, nature, and culture in the Negev Desert. By combining Bedouin traditions with cutting-edge environmental innovation, the project fosters harmony between communities and the natural world. Supported by JNF-USA, this initiative empowers local Bedouin communities, promotes coexistence, and showcases a holistic approach to sustainability that can inspire arid regions worldwide.
Introducing Omek
Our Community for People in their 20s and 30s
Omek is a Congregation Beth Israel community for people in their 20s and 30s to learn and deepen their relationship with Judaism together. Omek explores Jewish teachings with CBI clergy and offers moments of ritual throughout the Hebrew calendar to observe and connect to each other and your own Judaism.
- Omek means ‘Depth’ in Hebrew.
- This group is open to anyone in their 20’s and 30’s who is connected to Judaism.
- Omek is open to members and non-members of Congregation Beth Israel.
- We will send monthly emails with events, articles, and community opportunities that are tailored to you.
- You can also follow us on Instagram: @omekpdx
Dig Deeper with
Omek l'Chodesh
Omek l’Chodesh is a cohort of Jewish young adults who will meet monthly throughout the year to study and learn together. Meetings will include reading contemporary Jewish books together, teachings by CBI clergy and ritual moments alongside the wider Omek community. The year will be centered on the theme of “Return”.
- The cohort gets exclusive Omek swag and books provided to members!
- Members get many benefits of membership at CBI like lifecycle events with Clergy.
- The cohort will meet in person at CBI on the first Tuesday of each month (Sep-June).
- The cohort is open to Jews who are 25-40 years old.
- There are limited spaces available in the cohort.
- It is $180 to join for the year and free to CBI members.
