Ritual Life
About
Ritual life at CBI enjoys robust, inter-generational participation. Our services maintain traditional practices and encourage observance through the Conservative Movement, while welcoming and embracing a diverse congregation.
Our offerings are diverse to reflect this range in congregation belief, desires, interests, observances, and attitudes. You can find anything from meditative earth based healing circles to egalitarian orthodox minyans listed side by side on our Calendar page.
All services are open to everyone regardless of religious affiliation, knowledge, or experience. While stepping into a new community, or returning, can be intimidating- we encourage you to make that leap- we are here to catch you!
More information on synagogue etiquette and FAQs can be found below.
Consistent Weekly Ritual/Prayer Opporunities:
Wednesdays 5:30 PM: Ma'ariv Afternoon/Evening traditional prayer minyan on Zoom
Fridays 5:00 PM : *Kabbalat or *Shiru Shabbat
Saturday 9:30 AM: *Shabbat Morning Services
Events marked with * are open to absolutely everyone regardless of religious identification.
Name Tags
We invite you to wear a name tag while visiting CBI. This helps us maintain a sense of community and security at the same time, making it easier and more approachable to greet both new and familiar faces with warmth. This can include wearing a "guest" tag if you are new, from out of town, or just checking the place out!
We encourage all of our members to wear their name tags proudly, and to greet anyone they come across to fulfill the important mitzvah of "welcoming the stranger." Who remembers names anyway?
At the end of your visit, please return your name tag to the basket by the sanctuary door.
Members can fill out this form to request a name tag. Interested in Membership? Click Here.
Guide To Ritual At CBI
How To Honor Our Shared Space
We ask that you honor our sacred time and space by doing the following:
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No devices! Silence your phones and put them away while in the sanctuary to honor our sacred space. This includes taking photos with your camera.
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Classrooms and offices are strictly off limits to play. During services we offer Shabbat Shabloom, Alma, and the playground for children to enjoy. After services we welcome everyone to intermingle and make use of the sanctuary, kiddush, and outdoor spaces.
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Services are a collaborative experience rather than a performance. Therefore instead of clapping, when we appreciate someone's hard work a "pshhh," "yasher koach," (may you continue on in strength), or "chazak uvaruch" (may you be strong and blessed) is appropriate.
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Our facility is low-scent we ask that you do not wear any perfumes or strong lotions for your visit.
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Be mindful of where you are and move out of passageways or prayer spaces for louder or longer conversations.
We welcome everyone to join us after the service for Kiddush, a post-service meal, as it is the perfect time to get to know people, make friends, and ask questions.
Services Resources/What To Expect
Livestream: You can view services remotely to get a sense for the feeling and flow by visiting our livestream here.
Prayer Books: Our Siddurs (prayer books) and Chumash (bible) are available at the front door and contain both Hebrew, Transliteration, and English. Our Chumash is Etz Hayim and can be viewed here and our Siddur is Lev Shalem which can be viewed here.
What to Wear: To sanctify shabbat many choose to dress in a way that sets the day apart. Never allow appearances to be a barrier. Come as you are!
Attendants guest and members alike, regardless of gender identity, are encouraged to wear a kippah (KEEP-ah) or yarmulke. Jewish attendants are encouraged to wear a tallit (tall-EET or TALL-is), or prayer shawl. Both are available at the front door to be borrowed.
Participate in Services
Chant Torah on Shabbat Morning
We would love to have you chant Torah on a Shabbat morning for our community. With this link to our Torah reading spreadsheet, you are welcome to sign up for an aliyah - or multiple aliyot - as far in advance as you would like. You are also most welcome to sign up to chant Haftarah. If you have any questions, or would like to be paired with a mentor to help you burnish your skills if you haven't used them in a while, please let us know. Thank you for considering this great mitzvah.
CBI Parashiyot 5785 Signup Sheet