Prayer is a core tenet of our community’s values and a key part of our identity as a congregation. Whether in our sanctuary, the chapel, or online, when we gather to pray, our goal is to experience those sacred moments with kavanah (intention or mindfulness), thereby strengthening our connection to each other, sharpening our awareness of the Divine presence in our lives, and deepening our personal self-reflection.
Our services, whether geared towards adults, children, or families are both welcoming and accessible, using a mixture of Hebrew and English. In addition to our clergy-led Kabbalat Shabbat on service Friday evening and our traditional Saturday morning Shabbat service in the sanctuary, we also have morning and evening minyans, often led by congregants. CBI also offers youth services throughout the year at various age levels. Alternative study groups are offered on many Shabbat mornings and holidays. Instrumental musical Shabbatot, featuring our very own “CBI Band” are festive services with singing, dancing and spirited prayer!
Featuring one of Essex County’s best musical Rabbi-Cantor teams, the uplifting voices of our musically trained Rabbi and Cantor enhance our services in ways that few other congregations in the area can. If you’re a music lover, CBI’s services are perfect for you.
We value the participation of all. Women as well as men at CBI may sit wherever they wish, be counted in a minyan, be honored at and read the Torah, and lead any service. We love having children in the sanctuary, praying with their families, sitting with friends and joining clergy at the bima (reading table) to lead prayers or songs!
Those who seek meaningful growth opportunities and different ways to contribute to the spiritual life of our congregation will find every occasion to do so.
