Our community prospers with the
strength, energy, and commitment of its members.
Read on to get inspired and involved!
Bikkur Cholim is the Jewish tradition of providing comfort and support to people who are ill, homebound, isolated and/or otherwise in distress. Opportunities available to make short monthly visits to Jewish patients at Cooley Dickinson Hospital or to CBI Seniors who would welcome a short visit.
Please contact: Nisa Zalta, nzalta@gmail.com (413) 584-3842
Our Caring Communities Committee is an effort to share our gifts of support, comfort and celebration with each other. Its mission is to oversee and provide support for the committees that attend to synagogue members in times of need. These include but are not limited to Bikkur Holim, Mitzvot for Moms, Meals, Domestic Violence Task Force, and ad hoc support groups.
Please contact: Carol Jolly, jollys2@verizon.net or Tamar Fields, columbusgang@verizon.net
The Chevra Kadisha, or holy burial society, prepares deceased members for burial according to the ancient customs of Jewish tradition. Following the teaching of the Talmud (Tractate Shabbat 127a), the work of the Chevra Kadisha is considered among the greatest acts of kindness, as it is done only out of kavod (respect) for the deceased. The Chevra Kadisha is ready to respond at a moment’s notice, and will travel to any of the funeral homes in our area.
Please contact: Cleo Gorman (413) 584-4497 or Edward Allen, ejstoneybrook@aol.com
The Darfur Action Group works to educate both ourselves and others about the continuing and tragic events in Darfur and the need for response and assistance. Efforts include fundraising, weekly vigils, community education campaigns, and lobbying for divestment.
Please contact: Henry Rosenberg, hwr5@comcast.net
The Domestic Violence Taskforce meets monthly to collaborate on ways to inform and educate about domestic violence within the Jewish Community. Efforts have included arranging DV training for CBI Teaching Staff, speaking to the congregation on Shabbat, providing information about the signs of domestic violence and where to find support, and maintaining the DV shelves in the CBI Library.
Please contact: Ruth Katzner, (413) 549-5410 rkatzner@gmail.com
The Education Committee works closely with the Rabbi and the Education Director to facilitate excellent educational programming for children and families, including Shabbat and Holiday programs, Family Education, and the Religious School. The committee meets monthly; new members welcome!
Please contact: Shelley Schieffelin, shschief@comcast.net or Lisa Barondes, lbarondes@yahoo.com
The Endowment and Legacy Committee is responsible for investing the CBI Endowment, apportioning the Endowment into sub-funds as necessary, and maintaining relevant documentation and records for review as directed by the CBI Board.
Please contact: David Cohen, davidc1@fastmail.fm
The Eretz Yisrael Committee was set up to seek ways to support Israel at the time of the Second Intifada. It has evolved into a forum for members of the congregation who define their passionate support of Israel in vastly different ways. In the committee we strive to be able to disagree without being disagreeable. We read, we discuss, we sponsor speakers, and we seek to play an educational role for ourselves and the congregation.
Please contact: Michael Perlman, mikep10550@aol.com or Henry Rosenberg, hwr5@comcast.net
The Financial Oversight Committee (FOC) develops CBI’s annual operating budgets for review and approval by the Board, and oversees the financial health of the synagogue. FOC also reviews and monitors CBI’s financial statements to ensure that revenue and expenses are on track; makes budget and operations adjustments during the year as needed; establishes dues and tuition fees; monitors CBI’s various funds; allocates funds for capital expenditures; develops policies and recommendations toward sound financial and business practices. We welcome members who have a basic understanding of financial statements and who understand that a non-profit organization like CBI must still be run like a business. If we don't stay on sound financial footing, we cannot pay our staff, maintain our building, provide religious services, or maintain the high quality of our programs. FOC meets monthly, except during the summer.
Please contact: Carol Katz, (413) 727-8707 b_c_katz@comcast.net
The Fundraising Committee is responsible for raising money to balance the CBI budget. CBI Members may contribute throughout the year in various ways including the High Holiday Appeal, the Annual Fund of unrestricted gifts, scrip, auctions, recognition dinners, special appeals, and more. This spring our social fundraising event will include a tribute & ad journal.
Please contact: Jane Trigere, jane@trigere.com
The Governance Committee reviews the CBI By-Laws and recommends desirable changes, maintains a record of Congregation 'policies and procedures', and develops any necessary transition procedures concerning numbers and terms of Officers and at-Large Directors.
Please contact: Bill Jolly, jollys2@verizon.net
The Hevrei Mitzvot is the CBI Men’s Club that meets monthly to daven, share breakfast and conversation, hear speakers and work on acts of gemillut chasadim in the community.
Please contact: Ken Schoen (413) 665-0548
The Committee for Jewish Living plans FUN activities for holiday observance as well as Shabbat dinners, cocktail parties, and other ways in which congregants can get together and enjoy each other’s company.
Please contact: Susan Mosler, moslers@comcast.net
The newly formed Kiddush Committee will meet monthly on a Thursday evening to prepare Kiddush for the next Saturday. We’ll enjoy good food, good music, and very good cheer as we put together our community Shabbos meal.
Please contact: Kiddush Queen Veronica Darmon, (413) 586-8737
The Landscape Committee works to improve the aesthetics of the congregation's grounds, oversees our organic landcare program, and raises funds for planting new trees, shrubs, flowers, and for the design and building of new hardscape. The next stage of our work, pending funding from the community, is the implementation of a long-delayed landscape design plan that would significantly improve the look and feel of our backyard - the play area between CBI and Lander-Grinspoon Academy. Volunteers are needed to help design and run fundraising projects that will involve broad segments of the community, including pre-school and religious school students, their parents and grandparents.
Please contact: Mark Brumberg, markbrumberg@comcast.net
The L'Dor V'Dor Legacy Committee promotes planned giving to CBI to ensure a healthy synagogue for generations to come. The Committee encourages and works with CBI members to make CBI a beneficiary in their wills, IRA's, 401k's, life insurance policies or other instruments.
Please contact: Dorothy Nemetz, djnemetz@aol.com
The CBI Library Committee is happy to welcome any volunteers who love books and want to help maintain and improve the Library.
Please contact: Nancy Felton (413) 584-1299
The Membership Committee focuses on warmly welcoming and encouraging new synagogue members. We help to connect new members with volunteer opportunities and activities that interest them as well as hold events geared toward outreach and enveloping new members into the community.
Please contact: Lauren Weinsier, (413) 341-3233
The Northampton Cot Shelter group is committed to preparing and serving dinner to guests at the Northampton Cot Shelter on the fourth Wednesday of each month from November through April.
Please contact: Peggy Besht, pbesht@comcast.net
The Personnel Committee is charged with creating and implementing policies with respect to our employees. In addition to conducting regular reviews of staff performance the committee is a conduit between the staff and the community.
Please contact: Jeff Caplan, caplanjeff@comcast.net
The Ritual Committee oversees services and rituals under the direction of the rabbi. It serves in a consultative capacity regarding maintenance and changes in rituals, rites and customs that affect the religious aspects of the congregation, and assume oversight for CBI's ritual objects. This year it is developing mechanisms to increase and facilitate communication between the Rabbi and the Congregation for the education, understanding, and engagement of the entire community.
Please contact: Amelia Ender, ameliaender@yahoo.com
Sisterhood is a vibrant and diverse group of group of Jewish women of all ages who treasure community. Sisterhood activities offer opportunities for personal growth, social networking and community service including brunches, evening programs, spiritual renewal days, and our annual Sisterhood Shabbat.
Please contact: Joan Schaffer, joanjrs@comcast.net
CBI’s Valley Jewish Seniors group meets the third Wednesday of the month at 12:30 in the CBI library to share a wonderful meal together and good conversation and hear an interesting speaker.
Please contact: Ken Schoen (413) 665-0548