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CBI’s Israel Affairs Committee works to build strong supporting relationships between all members of our community (from pre-K through senior citizens) and the people and the state of Israel.
Learning about Israel is a central part of our educational program, and we regularly bring speakers, Israeli rabbis and scholars to help promote dialogue between Israel and the Diaspora. We run congregational trips, raise money to support Israeli institutions, and celebrate holidays such as Yom HaAtzama’ut (Israel’s Independence Day) and Yom HaZikaron (Israel’s Memorial Day) with great feeling. Our members are involved in a wide range of organizations that advocate for the State of Israel in different ways. While we are a congregation with diverse political views, a commitment to the State of Israel’s fundamental right to exist and to protect herself underscores everything that we do.
We work on these goals through Education, Prayer, Engagement, Travel and Financial Support:
Education
Learning about Israel is a central part of education program at every age. The committee supports bringing Federation Shlichim (ambassadors) to our preschool and religious school school and youth groups, and develops and facilitates educational programing, book club selections and special events focusing on Israel. We have learned with programs from the Shalom Hartmann Institute, and from journalists and scholars we have engaged for programs.
Prayer and Liturgy
CBI includes the Prayer for Israel on Shabbat and holidays and celebrates the major Israel holidays Yom HaAtzama’ut (Israel’s Independence Day) and Yom HaZikaron (Israel’s Memorial Day) with great feeling. As part of our Shabbat Service we honor our congregants (of all ages) who are either preparing to go to Israel or returning from a trip there.
Engagement
Our members are involved in a wide range of organizations that advocate for the State of Israel in different ways. While we are a congregation with diverse political views, a commitment to the State of Israel’s fundamental right to exist and to protect herself underscores everything that we do. We encourage our membership to participate in pro-Israel advocacy, including AIPAC, Federation and other pro-Israel organizations. We have held events with our Members of Congress and other Political leaders to facilitate full discussion of the United States Policy toward Israel. We also participated in the recurring AZM elections to support Jewish Pluralism in Israel.
Travel
We like to travel to Israel and encourage all of our congregants to do the same. We are planning a 2022 family trip to Israel which will be led by Rabbi Isenberg. As part of our B’nai Mitzvah program, we include a stipend to support travel to Israel for our high school students.
Financial Support
We also support Israel through programming with Jewish Organizations, particularly with Israel Bonds, JNF, Arava Institute, Friends of the IDF, Masorti Foundation and others. We are open to learning about other organizations as well.