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Chanukah Party Dreidel a big hit with the kids

Teri Rosenmann helps teach dreidel to eager players.
Teri Rosenmann helps teach dreidel to eager players.
The chocolate coins in the center were great motivation for these dreidel players.
The chocolate coins in the center were great motivation for these dreidel players.
Sunday School students with Teacher Yael Rosenmann were glad to learn the dreidel game at the CBI Chanukah Party.
Sunday School students with Teacher Yael Rosenmann were glad to learn the dreidel game at the CBI Chanukah Party.

CBI Attends Council Menorah glows outside

Rabbi White and several CBI members watch as the menorah is lit outside a Vallejo City Council meeting where members considered whether to adopt a ceasefire resolution. They dropped that idea and agreed to come up with a neutral proclamation to be announced in January.
Rabbi White and several CBI members watch as the menorah is lit outside a Vallejo City Council meeting where members considered whether to adopt a ceasefire resolution. They dropped that idea and agreed to come up with a neutral proclamation to be announced in January.
Door trim 2023

New door trim Steel doors get finishing touches

Friday Shabbat Seder Celebrate with friends

Our sukkah is ready for its palm branch covering!
Our sukkah is ready for its palm branch covering!

Building crew prepares sukkah Celebration starts Friday

Our sukkah is ready for its palm branch covering!
Our sukkah is ready for its palm branch covering!
Ron Nathan, Roy Barush, and Mike Lane work on attaching the hinged roof supports for the sukkah.
Ron Nathan, Roy Barush, and Mike Lane work on attaching the hinged roof supports for the sukkah.
Mike Lane and Ron Nathan attach the cloth walls for the sukkah. The last chore was stringing the rope lights around the roof. We can't wait to see how it all looks on Friday night!
Mike Lane and Ron Nathan attach the cloth walls for the sukkah. The last chore was stringing the rope lights around the roof. We can’t wait to see how it all looks on Friday night!

Game Night fun! Boggle and dominoes competition

Nadine, Dorrin and Ace competed with Rachel on Boggle, while we had 6 players for several rounds of Mexican Train Dominoes. Three new players learned the new variation of dominoes!
Nadine, Dorrin and Ace competed with Rachel on Boggle, while we had 6 players for several rounds of Mexican Train Dominoes. Three new players learned the new variation of dominoes!

Work projects Repairs and a clean new look

Ron Nathan sands the old Building & Grounds closet door, preparing it for primer and a fresh coat or two of paint.
Ron Nathan sands the old Building & Grounds closet door, preparing it for primer and a fresh coat or two of paint.
Classroom and library doors with new paint!
Classroom and library doors with new paint!
We also taped and painted the two sets of double doors leading into the courtyard, which had been painted with interior paint for wood.
We also taped and painted the two sets of double doors leading into the courtyard, which had been painted with interior paint for wood.
After two coats of paint, and removing the tape, the doors look really bright and wonderful!
After two coats of paint, and removing the tape, the doors look really bright and wonderful!

Growing our garden Sunday School students add flowers

Ori gets to plant the first of the flowers.
Ori gets to plant the first of the flowers.
Ralph guides Ori as he digs his first hole.
Ralph guides Ori as he digs his first hole.
Audrey gets to plant the second flower.
Audrey gets to plant the second flower.
Kai packs the dirt around the flower he planted.
Kai packs the dirt around the flower he planted.
Kai had the longest arms to dig a hole in the far row for his flower.
Kai had the longest arms to dig a hole in the far row for his flower.
Ralph helps Audrey get her flower securely in the hole.
Ralph helps Audrey get her flower securely in the hole.
Audrey watches as Ori digs a good hole for his flower.
Audrey watches as Ori digs a good hole for his flower.

75th Anniversary Celebration Renewing our connections

Joseph Levy, Gail Lamkins, Susie Smookler, and Myra Binstock renew friendships in person at our Sunday reception.
Joseph Levy, Gail Lamkins, Susie Smookler, and Myra Binstock renew friendships in person at our Sunday reception.
Mary Schwartz and Jennifer Mercado check in people as they arrive for Thursday's reception.
Mary Schwartz and Jennifer Mercado check in people as they arrive for Thursday’s reception.
Michele Lane plays music for the crowd as they nosh.
Michele Lane plays music for the crowd as they nosh.
Lois Pierce, Dixon Mayor Steven Bird, Vallejo Councilman Peter Bregenzer, and Melissa Edwards at Thursday's reception.
Lois Pierce, Dixon Mayor Steven Bird, Vallejo Councilman Peter Bregenzer, and Melissa Edwards at Thursday’s reception.
Jim and Sharon Petrellese attend the Thursday reception.
Jim and Sharon Petrellese attend the Thursday reception.
J.D. and Teena Miller had a good time noshing and visiting with friends at CBI.
J.D. and Teena Miller had a good time noshing and visiting with friends at CBI.
Honore McIlhattan chats with Martin Gewing on Thursday.
Honore McIlhattan chats with Martin Gewing on Thursday.
Israeli dancing was fun for the crowd on Sunday.
Israeli dancing was fun for the crowd on Sunday.
About 80 attended the Thursday reception, including at least 4 mayors.
About 80 attended the Thursday reception, including at least 4 mayors.

Sunday Members past and present

Sunday's check-in crew, ready for the heat and the visitors.
Sunday’s check-in crew, ready for the heat and the visitors.
Fred Zola welcomes members and former members on Sunday.
Fred Zola welcomes members and former members on Sunday.
Susan Cohen-Grossman, our Regional Hadassah President, and husband Larry Grossman join us for the Sunday celebration.
Susan Cohen-Grossman, our Regional Hadassah President, and husband Larry Grossman join us for the Sunday celebration.
Shoshana Nurik welcomes her daughter Alex, son-in-law Joshua, and grandchildren Aryeh and Aviv.
Shoshana Nurik welcomes her daughter Alex, son-in-law Joshua, and grandchildren Aryeh and Aviv.
Teri Rosenmann, our Israeli dance leader, her daughter Yael, our Sunday School teacher, and Angelic Pierce renew friendships in our courtyard.
Teri Rosenmann, our Israeli dance leader, her daughter Yael, our Sunday School teacher, and Angelic Pierce renew friendships in our courtyard.
Doug Cort shares his music and singing with the crowd of members and former members on Sunday.
Doug Cort shares his music and singing with the crowd of members and former members on Sunday.
Kris Lauer and Ace Gimeno serve up drinks at our new bar in the courtyard.
Kris Lauer and Ace Gimeno serve up drinks at our new bar in the courtyard.
Renee Morales offered childcare on Sunday for visiting families.
Renee Morales offered childcare on Sunday for visiting families.
Rachel Lessem and Nadine Goodban welcome visitors to CBI.
Rachel Lessem and Nadine Goodban welcome visitors to CBI.
Shoshana Nurik gives a warm welcome to Rhea Zaks.
Shoshana Nurik gives a warm welcome to Rhea Zaks.
Many of the relatives of the Rothman clan were able to attend the celebration on Sunday, and renew some connections.
Many of the relatives of the Rothman clan were able to attend the celebration on Sunday, and renew some connections.

Hamantaschen Learning from a master

Shoshana Nurik, left, and Gail Lamkins, right, flatten the dough to cut more circles.
Shoshana Nurik, left, and Gail Lamkins, right, flatten the dough to cut more circles.
Teacher Helene Falk, right, assisted by her grandson, Kris Lauer, led the class on March 5th.
Teacher Helene Falk, right, assisted by her grandson, Kris Lauer, led the class on March 5th.
Hamant pinch
Carol Abi adds prune filling.
Carol Abi adds prune filling.
Becky Pierce, from Wisconsin, and her niece from the Bay Area joined us for the lesson.
Becky Pierce, from Wisconsin, and her niece from the Bay Area joined us for the lesson.

Havdalah Game Night Last Saturday of the month

At our February Havdalah Game Night, lots of action as they set up for another round of Boggle! Come join us for Havdalah, then a meal, and some lively games.
At our February Havdalah Game Night, lots of action as they set up for another round of Boggle! Come join us for Havdalah, then a meal, and some lively games.

Tu B'Shevat planting Seeds soon to sprout

Sunday School teacher Yael Rosenmann supervises as Ralph Pierce helps students plant some seeds in our raised beds February 5th. Some of the plants may be ready for our Passover Seder!
Sunday School teacher Yael Rosenmann supervises as Ralph Pierce helps students plant some seeds in our raised beds February 5th. Some of the plants may be ready for our Passover Seder!

Yoga Nidra in our Library Enjoying meditation with friends

We gather in the warmth and comfort of the library to share this relaxing time, led by Sarah Futterman-Devies.
We gather in the warmth and comfort of the library to share this relaxing time, led by Sarah Futterman-Devies.

The CBI Tea is back! Wearing your best fancy hat...

Nadine Goodban, Carol Abi Bass, and Cheryl Gewing show their greens.
Nadine Goodban, Carol Abi Bass, and Cheryl Gewing show their greens.
Mary Schwartz is ready to sell and collect tickets at the door.
Mary Schwartz is ready to sell and collect tickets at the door.
Renee Morales and friends show their fancy hats.
Renee Morales and friends show their fancy hats.
Robin Gross and Myra Binstock chat at the table.
Robin Gross and Myra Binstock chat at the table.
Fun hats galore at one table!
Fun hats galore at one table!

Benicia Menorah Lighting At the gazebo in Benicia City Park

Alisa Danyeur and Heather Campbell hosted the 2nd night menorah lighting in Benicia, and Rabbi White and members of Congregation B'nai Israel hosted the 3rd night lighting, starting an exciting new tradition!
Alisa Danyeur and Heather Campbell hosted the 2nd night menorah lighting in Benicia, and Rabbi White and members of Congregation B’nai Israel hosted the 3rd night lighting, starting an exciting new tradition!

Hanukkah Party Good times and gelt!

Helen Falk and Gail Lamkins
Helen Falk and Gail Lamkins
Myra Binstock tries out special glasses!
Myra Binstock tries out special glasses!
Israeli dancing with the crowd.
Israeli dancing with the crowd.
Plenty of food for all. It was great to see some new faces and some people we hadn't seen for awhile! A good chance to catch up on news.
Plenty of food for all. It was great to see some new faces and some people we hadn’t seen for awhile! A good chance to catch up on news.

Interfaith Thanksgiving Service Tuesday, November 22

We had more than 60 people attend our annual service, which was hosted this year by our synagogue, and in alternating years by St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Benicia. Lot's of tasty desserts to try!
We had more than 60 people attend our annual service, which was hosted this year by our synagogue, and in alternating years by St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Benicia. Lot’s of tasty desserts to try!
We are also getting the word out about celebrating the 75th anniversary next year in our synagogue building! Let's see how many people have memories from our synagogue...
We are also getting the word out about celebrating the 75th anniversary next year in our synagogue building! Let’s see how many people have memories from our synagogue…

Sunday morning – The Rabbi’s class and the Bagel Cafe were both lively this past week. Many in the class and other visitors took advantage of the yummy menu items offered by the Cafe. Some also enjoyed the Yoga Nidra class in the Library and online, getting some wonderful relaxation and rejuvenation.

A good crowd attends the Sunday class, Discovering Judaism as a Systewm for Living in Our Times, for those new to Judaism, or just needing a re-infusion. Next class is Sunday, Nov. 20th.
A good crowd attends the Sunday class, Discovering Judaism as a Systewm for Living in Our Times, for those new to Judaism, or just needing a re-infusion. Next class is Sunday, Nov. 20th.

Garden beauties Lot's of color now!

A monarch visits our gardens, thanks to all the color and attractions, and the addition of our wildlife garden!
A monarch visits our gardens, thanks to all the color and attractions, and the addition of our wildlife garden!
Check out the lovely color combinations in our front rose gardens!
Check out the lovely color combinations in our front rose gardens!

Havdalah Game Night A lot of Israel talk... with several experienced travelers and a couple recent trips!

Oct. Games 22

Synagogue celebrations Holidays and gatherings

The full moon shows through the palm fronds of our sukkah in the courtyard. The paper chain was started by our Sunday School students!
The full moon shows through the palm fronds of our sukkah in the courtyard. The paper chain was started by our Sunday School students!
The start of our sukkah. Roy Barush started the process, then Martin Gewing and Ron Nathan helped finish the supports, screwing together the pieces and feeding across the PVC pipe supports for the palm fronds.
The start of our sukkah. Roy Barush started the process, then Martin Gewing and Ron Nathan helped finish the supports, screwing together the pieces and feeding across the PVC pipe supports for the palm fronds.
Martin and Ray Wang cut palm fronds from our backyard palm tree and then placed them across the supports to complete our structure!
Martin and Ray Wang cut palm fronds from our backyard palm tree and then placed them across the supports to complete our structure!
Martin Gewing, Carol Abi Bass, and Ron Nathan work together to get the Torah rolled and ready for Rosh Hashanah services. The crew who helped change over the drapery on the Bimah, change out our books, and clean the sanctuary for the services also included Dorrin Rosenfeld and Diana Estrin.
Martin Gewing, Carol Abi Bass, and Ron Nathan work together to get the Torah rolled and ready for Rosh Hashanah services. The crew who helped change over the drapery on the Bimah, change out our books, and clean the sanctuary for the services also included Dorrin Rosenfeld and Diana Estrin.
Our synagogue Sha'BarBQ from Sept. 16, showing our twinkling party lights as twilight comes earlier!
Our synagogue Sha’BarBQ from Sept. 16, showing our twinkling party lights as twilight comes earlier!
Synagogue members and friends gathered to bid adieu to Anna and Jon Brewer, preparing to move to Albuquerque, N.M., to be close to Anna's mother.
Synagogue members and friends gathered to bid adieu to Anna and Jon Brewer, preparing to move to Albuquerque, N.M., to be close to Anna’s mother.

August Bar Mitzvah! Amari Watson makes us proud

Dancers celebrate Amari Watson’s bar mitzvah in the Social Hall.
Amari Watson gets a lift to celebrate his achievement.

C.H.A.I. Garden is planted! Students put in the purchased plants

Aitan and Maya put in the new flowers and bushes for the garden.
Aitan and Maya put in the new flowers and bushes for the garden.
Amari dug the holes for the plants to be placed in the mulched garden.
Amari dug the holes for the plants to be placed in the mulched garden.

June Havdalah Game Night Food, crafts, games!

Shoshana practiced Jewish paper cutting, showing the star of David in the middle of her cut-out decoration.
Shoshana practiced Jewish paper cutting, showing the star of David in the middle of her cut-out decoration.
Angelic created a tall Havdalah candle out of beeswax, with a drip-catcher at the bottom.
Angelic created a tall Havdalah candle out of beeswax, with a drip-catcher at the bottom.
The Boggle players were intent on counting the points of the words they created.
The Boggle players were intent on counting the points of the words they created.

Havdalah Game Night A lot of Israel talk...

Oct. Games 22

June Sha'BarBQ First courtyard dinner in two years

Enjoying the food at our Sha'BarBQ in June.
Enjoying the food at our Sha’BarBQ in June.
The festive meal was enjoyed by all!
The festive meal was enjoyed by all!

Building community

Our first event this June started off with an Open Mic time, led by Bernie Goldman with his poetry. We enjoyed the meal of salmon and veggie burgers, with side dishes, and topped off by ice cream! Rabbi White led the family service to welcome Shabbat in our courtyard. Look for this event again the second Friday of July!

Havdalah Game Night Join us for this monthly event!

CHAI One 5-28-22
CHAI Two 5-28-22

C.H.A.I. Garden mulching complete!

Amari Watson dumps out mulch to finish the first stage of preparing the C.H.A.I. wildlife garden south of our synagogue sanctuary on Nebraska Street. Next is purchasing the native plants and planting those in the garden!

Havdalah One 5-28-22
Havdalah Guitar 5-28-22

Good food and fun!

Synagogue members and friends enjoyed learning some new games, along with some tasty bagels and snacks, and closed the evening with a short Havdalah service and counting the Omer. Look for this event again the last Saturday of June!

Message from Mary: Drash 5-28-22

By Mary Schwartz, May 28, 2022

When I started preparing for this drash earlier this week, I, of course, began with a reading of the Torah portion, Bechukotai, the last reading from Leviticus.  At first read, this is a very unpleasant portion.  The end of Chapter 26 is basically a reiteration of our Covenant with God, that God rewards the righteous and punishes the wicked.   The majority of this reading details the consequences of breaking the Covenant.

After the last couple of weeks, this was a very hard portion to read.  COVID deaths in the United States have surpassed 1 million, 10 innocent black people were murdered by an 18-year-old White Supremacist in Buffalo, New York, 19 innocent children and 2 innocent teachers were murdered by an angry and troubled 18-year-old in Uvalde, Texas, not to mention terrible things happening in the Ukraine, Africa and Asia.  If human beings can cause so much death and destruction, how much more could an angry God cause?

Chapter 26 has 13 verses detailing the rewards for the righteous, and 29 verses detailing the punishments for breaking the Covenant.  After all this terrible description, in verse 44, the portion says, “And yet for all that, when they are in the land of their enemies, I will not reject them, neither will I abhor them, to destroy them utterly, and to break my covenant with them, for I am the LORD their God.  I will for their sakes remember the covenant of their ancestors, who I brought forth out of the land of Egypt in the sight of the nations, that I might be their God: I am the LORD.” 

And what does this mean?  According to the various sources I looked at, this means that we have HOPE, which is central to Judaism.  The national anthem of the State of Israel is ha-Tikvah, the Hope.  Elie Wiesel wrote many things about hope, such as, “One must wager on the future.  I believe it is possible, in spite of everything, to believe in God in a world where there has been an eclipse of God’s face…we must not give in to cynicism…To defeat injustice and misfortune, if only for one instant, for a single victim, is to invent a new reason to hope.” (quoted from Camp Ramah, New England).

Rabbi Jonathan Sacks said the following, “It is not too much to say that Jews kept hope alive, and hope kept the Jewish people alive.”   He also said, “Judaism is a religion of hope, and its great rituals of repentance and atonement are part of that hope.  We are not condemned to live endlessly with the mistakes and errors of our past.”

We must work together to heal our society and our relationship to God.  God always offers us the hope that we can better ourselves and our society, if we all work together.

I will end with a quote from Rabbi Elyse Goldstein, a reform rabbi from Toronto:

“The blessings we get poured upon us in this parashah are the blessings of walking in a path that started with study but ended with action. Our loves and our commitments must be manifested outwardly. It is not enough to say “I love you.” We need to show it, too. It is not enough to say “I feel Jewish.” Those feelings need to be demonstrated in deeds.

And when we don’t, there are consequences. The lack of demonstrable love often leads to a break, a fissure, a lack of trust in a relationship. It is hard for us to hear this section not only because is so very graphic, but also because we live in a society totally resistant to consequences, reproaches, and punishments. Yet we know that love without action is only an idea. And we know there are always consequences to doing nothing.

The Book of Leviticus begins by calling us into relationship. It ends with the warning that once we are in that relationship, we must be active participants.”

 

Memorial service for Alan Schwartz

Members and friends enjoy a buffet lunch and share memories after the memorial service for long-time member Alan Schwartz.
Members and friends enjoy a buffet lunch and share memories after the memorial service for long-time member Alan Schwartz.
Photos from the life of Alan Schwartz.
Photos from the life of Alan Schwartz.
Members and friends share memories after the memorial service.
Members and friends share memories after the memorial service.

Many Congregation B’nai Israel members and friends joined together to honor and remember Alan Schwartz on May 1, 2022, at a memorial service led by Rabbi White. We remember his good cheer, his support and encouragement for youth and learning, and his long-time support as a leader in our synagogue. May his memory be a blessing.

C.H.A.I. Garden progress

Keetah Bet has worked hard to cover the new C.H.A.I. garden are with mulch! We started laying down the mulch in mid-March, and workers have come every Sunday to keep putting down cardboard and spread mulch on top. Only a few corners are left! 

Trimming the plants to create the Wildlife Garden.
Trimming the plants to create the Wildlife Garden.

Keetah Bet

   The Keetah Bet Sunday School class has been working for about a month on their garden project: C.H.A.I, or Climate Healing Awareness Initiative. They are documenting the project (and posting weekly on our Facebook page) in order to raise awareness in the community on how the garden will be beneficial to the climate. The goal is to become a Certified Wildlife Habitat where animals can raise young and find shelter, food, and water. The climate crisis continuously destroys the habitats of animals and plants. We feel it is our responsibility to create habitats for the wildlife in need. We will focus on Bees, Butterflies, Bats, and Birds, with access to water and native and drought tolerant plants such as Butterfly Bush, Sticky Monkey Flower, Dahlia, Milkweed, and more. The space is exclusively for our wildlife friends only.  Keetah Bet is excited to hopefully use CBI as a place of rebirth to help build a better planet.

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