HELP WANTED

Let them build Me a sanctuary, that I might dwell within them…  Exodus 25:8

Our community thrives because each of us contributes not only dollars but also our hands, hearts, and time, to building and sustaining the community in which we make our home.  The more we each engage with the work of building community, the stronger our community becomes – and the deeper the gifts we each receive from our participation.  This is true in any congregation, but especially true in a small rural congregation like ours which depends on volunteer energy and effort.

Below is a (partial) list of current volunteer opportunities.  Please contact office@cbiweb.org or emiller@isenberg.umass.edu if you’re able to help out.

• Shabbat Greeters (Shamashim)

Shabbat Greeters welcome people to Shabbat morning services.  Duties include handing out prayer books (and occasionally inserts handouts into prayer books), setting out wine and challah for Kiddush, cleaning up, and ensuring the building is locked.  Knowledge of the alarm and having a key are not necessary (but can be provided).  Greeters can choose the frequency with which they are scheduled.

• Newsletter Editor

This job is done entirely on your own time – no meetings.  Each month, individuals will send you articles for the newsletter and your job is to collect them (and occasionally solicit or write some) and format them for easy reading.

• Tablecloth Washers

Individuals are needed to periodically wash tablecloths after synagogue events.  This job is done entirely on your own time and can be a one-time commitment or ongoing.  To help, just check the bin in the kitchen, wash the tablecloths, and return them to CBI.

• Kiddush Supplies Coordinator

This individual (or group of individuals) would need to monitor our Kiddush supplies (challot in the freezer, grape juice, wine, little cups, disposable products for Kiddush) and notify Jack when we are getting low.

Tu BiShvat Fun for all Ages

by Liz Miller

Saturday, February 11, marked Tu BiShvat, the Birthday of the Trees.  The synagogue was transformed for the celebration with pictures of trees hung around the sanctuary and drapery and lights throughout the social hall.  Tables of exotic fruits and nuts were set up on one side and a communal table for the TuBiShvat seder was set up on the other.  A very festive welcome.

The festivities began with a lovely Shabbat service led by Rabbi Rachel.  While prayer occurred in the sanctuary, younger members joined Education Director, David Arfa, and Aleph Tav teacher, Jane Shiyah, in the classroom, where they discussed their favorite things about Shabbat, sang songs, and created tree “characters” (and signs) for a Tu BiShvat play.  When the service ended, the children performed a play of the trees, teaching us about the benefits trees provide as well as the important message that we are all created equal.

Following the Shabbat service, we adjourned to the social hall for a TuBiShvat seder.  The table was full with members of all ages.  We took turns reading the pages of the TuBiShvat seder which were projected onto a screen for all to see (thus, saving trees by preventing the need for paper copies). 

We started in the realm of assiyah (action), associated with winter, and foods which have a hard shell.  We blessed glasses of white wine (or grape juice) and then partook of the wondrous smorgasboard of fruits and nuts that Jen Burt had set out.  The table included more common foods such as cantaloupe, peanuts, coconuts and chestnuts, but also more unusual foods such as brazil melons, pomelos, pomegranate seeds, dragon fruit, tamarind, and jackfruit.  There was plenty of variety and plenty of opportunity to experience new foods. 

We then moved on to the realm of yetzirah (emotion), associated with spring, and foods which have soft outsides and hard insides, such as dates, olives, (dried) cherries, and lychee nuts. 

The third realm (briyah / thought / summer) included fruits that were soft all the way through, such as grapes, pears, star fuit, goji berries, blueberries, strawberries, and banana apples. 

The final realm (atzilut / spirituality / fall) included no foods, just liquids.  Participants tasted maple syrup and Etrog liquor.

As with all seders, we then moved to the festive meal.  Participants had brought dairy dishes for lunch, including stews and salads and eggs.  A wonderful time was had by all.  Thank you to Jen Burt for decorating the sanctuary and preparing the food; to David Arfa and Jane Shiyah for coordinating the children’s activities; and to Rabbi Rachel for creating and leading the seder.

President's Message

PRESIDENT’S COLUMN

March 2017

Saturday, February 11 was Tu BiShvat, the Birthday of the Trees.  (See the article about CBI’s beautiful seder celebration.)  In an email carrying Hebrew School news, including announcements about Tu BiShvat events, David Arfa (education director) asked, “what was your favorite tree as a kid?”

Growing up, we had a beautiful Japanese red maple tree in our front yard.  We named it “Red Red.”  It was a perfect climbing tree.  There are many pictures of my sister and me sitting in and climbing the tree.  One year, rabbits made a nest beneath the tree.  Imagine our surprise when we found the little hole (hutch) with the baby rabbits inside!  When we moved, we lost our perfect climbing tree, replaced by other tree memories.  In our new house, the front doors were flanked by two “swirly” trees – evergreens that were carefully sculpted into eye-catching spirals.  My current home has its own special tree – an apple tree in our backyard.  We lived here for a few years before we even knew it was an apple tree, and then suddenly, it bore the sweetest fruit.  My kids have enjoyed picking the apples from the tree, and one year the apples served as a sweet snack for CBI after High Holiday services.

Our trees offer us so much – beauty, food, shade, homes, activity.  It is no wonder that trees are often used as symbols.  Trees of life often grace the walls of synagogues.  Indeed, our synagogue offers many of the same benefits as trees.  Our sanctuary and our environs are beautiful.  The melodies emanating from the sanctuary as we join together in prayer fill our souls with spirituality and beauty.  The fourth Sunday of every month, CBI makes and delivers food to homebound seniors in North Adams.  We also frequently gather for communal meals – whether for a Friday night potluck, a holiday celebration, or just to socialize.  The building is a home to the Jewish community.  It provides spiritual healing to those who need it, educational opportunities for those who seek them, and a plethora of activities.

As we rejoice in the trees, I think about the ways that we can grow our spiritual trees.  For a tree to thrive, it must have a strong foundation.  Our roots are the values that we nurture and share.  This includes our acceptance of others and our adherence to traditional Jewish values.  It includes our commitment to the CBI community.  We can show that commitment by participating in that community – attending events, services, celebrations, and volunteering to help in both the mundane everyday tasks and with special events.  By doing so, we can cultivate the fruit of our tree, enjoy it and share it with others.  We can climb its branches, and reach new heights – learning new skills and meeting new people.  We can create something of beauty which others will admire and want to be part of.  CBI is our tree.  Let’s help it grow together.

Liz Miller

President, CBI