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Firestorm 2007 Messages
Quick Links:
Firestorm 2007 Message Wednesday, October 24
Firestorm 2007 Message Special Report, Tuesday, October 23
Firestorm 2007 Message Tuesday, October 23
Firestorm 2007 Message Monday, October 22
Firestorm Messages and Support
Please contact our Clergy for assistance and spiritual support whether you are affected directly or know someone who is: 858-535-1111. The following are messages that were e-mailed to congregants during the first few days of the firestorm.
Firestorm 2007 Message
Wednesday, October 24
Dear Fellow Congregants and Friends,
We wanted to take a moment to share with you some of the joys and blessings of what has happened here at CBI over these past few eventful days.
You are invited to a very special Shabbat Dinner and Service this Friday, October 26, 2007. We will share in food, song, and worship. We will be providing an informal spaghetti dinner at 6 p.m., followed by a 7:30 Shabbat Service.
Regardless of your circumstances, you are welcome to join us as we come together as a community. Dinner is free, but we welcome donations to help us offset the cost. Please RSVP at 858-535-1111, extension 0 so we can keep track of the count and make sure there is food for all. We will also be collecting food for the JFS Food Pantry at this time (details below).
Seacrest Update
Residents of Seacrest Village left this afternoon by bus to return to their home. We are very grateful for the opportunity to help and want to thank all of you who donated funds, provided bedding or volunteered.
If You Need Help
The CBI Clergy Team is ready to help. Rabbi Berk, Cantor Bernstein and Rabbi Ettman are available to you at any time. Whether you are affected directly or know someone who is, please feel free to contact us for assistance. If you also need us to help contact people on your behalf please let us know at 858-535-1111. Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you need any help whatsoever. The best way to reach the clergy is at 858-535-1111, or ext 3110 or 3116, or by emailing clergy@cbisd.org
Jewish Family Service is also providing direct aid and assistance to people affected by the fire and fire related emergencies. Please visit their website at www.jfssd.org. For assistance, you can also call 1-800-295-4254 or email firesupport@jfssd.org
Where Help Is Needed
Many of you have asked how you can help fire victims. We have identified two immediate areas:
JFS Food Pantry
In order to properly respond to the community need, Jewish Family Service is asking for donations of the following items:
- Peanut butter (small or medium size)
- Canned vegetables
- Canned fruit
- Dried fruit (individually packaged, little boxes of raisins, etc.)
- Canned beans
- Canned soups
- Juice boxes (small, medium sized individually wrapped)
- Individually wrapped bars of soap
- Toothpaste
- Toothbrushes
JFS is also accepting gift cards and gas cards (not Costco as membership is needed to shop there). Please, no bedding or clothing.
Bins will be placed in strategic locations at CBI, beginning Friday.
Jewish Community Disaster Fund
The Jewish Community Disaster Fund has been established by the Jewish Community Foundation of San Diego, the United Jewish Federation of San Diego County, and Jewish Family Service of San Diego. The Fund’s objectives are to provide assistance to Jewish families and others in need who have been affected by the fires as well as any rebuilding to the communal infrastructure that will be needed. Funds will be held by the Jewish Community Foundation and administered by a committee representing the three organizations and the Jewish community at large. No overhead costs will be taken from the fund, and all dollars raised will help those in need.
Religious School and Preschool
CBI Religious School and High School have been cancelled for Tuesday, October 23 and Thursday, October 25. Religious School will re-open on Sunday, October 28.
The Bill and Sid Rubin Preschool will be closed this entire week. It is currently scheduled to reopen on Monday, October 29.
We will continue to keep you informed as we learn new information. You can also check our Web site not only for regular updates on our community’s response to the crisis, but also our many programs and services. In the meantime, please know that we are here for you.
Sincerely,
Rabbi Michael Berk
Executive Director
Lesley Mills
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Firestorm 2007 Message
Special Report, Tuesday, October 23
Dear Fellow Congregant and Friends,
We are extremely moved by the recent outpouring of support from all of you. More than a hundred volunteers and of donors have shown their generosity by making and serving meals, and donating enough bedding and supplies to help make our Seacrest guests comfortable and secure. As a result of this generosity, we are no longer in need of bedding supplies.
We currently have enough volunteers to handle the preparation and serving of meals through lunch on Wednesday, at which time we will reassess our situation. If, however, you would like to just bring a smile, play a card game or sit and schmooze with our new friends for awhile, we welcome and appreciate your presence. Please contact our Receptionist at 858-535-1111, extension 0, if you would like to volunteer.
We will provide you additional updates as we progress in our efforts to respond to the crisis impacting all of us. We plan at that time to communicate the additional needs of our synagogue family and the general Jewish community.
We hope you know the difference you make. Please be safe and well.
Rabbi Michael Berk and Lesley Mills
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Firestorm 2007 Message
Tuesday, October 23
Dear CBI Family:
In this week’s Torah portion we read, “God put Abraham to the test.” It is hard to know why God needs to test faithful servants, but it certainly feels as though our community is once again being tested.
Fires rage throughout our county as this email is being written. Your clergy, Rabbi Berk, Cantor Bernstein, and Rabbi Ettman are very concerned with the welfare of our entire community, but especially the members of CBI. We know that many of you have left your homes, either as a precaution or by order of the authorities. We know how traumatic this is for you, your children, your family members living elsewhere, your pets, and your friends. Our hearts ache for all those who are displaced and worried about their homes and indeed, their future. We pray for your safety.
Before God tested Abraham in our portion, there is an incident about messengers who come to visit Abraham and Sarah. They respond with extraordinary hospitality, becoming for all time role models for being caring, compassionate, and welcoming to strangers. We are proud to tell you that our members have continued this tradition. Yesterday, over one hundred seniors from Seacrest Village Retirement Community were evacuated to the temple. Without hesitation, President Amy Corton, Executive Director Lesley Mills, and Rabbi Berk agreed to have them come to the temple. Once word went out, Temple members started arriving to help. Our members continued bringing things we needed at the temple for our senior visitors until 1:00 a.m. as well as some of our volunteer families stayed the whole night. We are indeed worthy descendants of our mothers and fathers who came before us. You should all be very proud of CBI.
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Later this morning there is a conference call being coordinated by the Jewish Federation to determine the status of things in the community and what the needs are. We will be communicating with you later in the day to let you know how help if you are in a position to do so.
Most importantly: if you have left your home, please let us know where you are staying and how we can reach you. Or if you have this information about a member who may not have access to email, please let us know what information you have. The best way to reach us is by email at: clergy@cbisd.org or phone: 858-535-1111 ext. 3110 or 3116.
Finally, Rabbi Berk, Cantor Bernstein, and Rabbi Ettman are available to you any time. Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you need any help whatsoever.
“May it be Your will, Adonai our God, and God of those who came before us, to save us from all dangers and accidents, and from all afflictions that threaten our world…”
Sincerely,
Rabbi Berk
Cantor Bernstein
Rabbi Ettman
Lesley Mills
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Firestorm 2007 Message
A Special Communication from Congregation Beth Israel
Monday, October 22
Dear Fellow Congregants and Friends,
With the onset of the recent fires, we are all concerned about one another’s safety and welfare, as well as that of our homes, pets and neighborhoods. We know that many of us, our members, and our fellow San Diegans have been displaced and may be unsure of what we will encounter in the days to come.
We wanted each of you to know that we are available to help. If you need a place for you and your family to hang-out during the day, we offer our synagogue as a safe haven.
Our clergy is also available to provide assistance and spiritual support. Whether you are affected directly or know someone who is, please feel free to contact us for any assistance you may need. If you also need us to help contact people on your behalf we hope you will let us know. We can be reached at 858-535-1111.
Rabbi Michael Berk
Executive Director
Lesley Mills go to top
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