"CHAV_RAH" What's Missing? "U" are!
A new chavurah is forming for Religious School families whose children are ages 11-13. Our temple chavurot provide members with an opportunity to socialize and enjoy Jewish celebrations and become a wonderful extended family.

If interested, contact , CBI Program Director, at 858-535-1111 ext. 3800.

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A Salute to Israel: Chavurah Encore by Request
Sunday, December 16th, 4pm
Feuerstein Family Activity Center
There is no fee but please RSVP for planning purposes
Join Mizpah Chavurah for this Program of Reminiscence. Over thirty years ago temple member Clive David produced a “Salute to Israel” with Prime Minister Gold Meir in attendance. Special ABC coverage of the event was shown later that year.  We are privileged to have Mr. David share his personal account with a video of the ABC special for his chavurah and he graciously extends an invitation to interested seniors to join them. Light refreshments will be served.

Clive David has also created galas for notables including President John F. Kennedy and Queen Elizabeth II. He has been called the “world’s best man at giving parties,” by Reuters and a “legendary party architect” by Los Angeles Magazine.  Be sure not to miss Clive's latest event at CBI.

If interested, contact , CBI Program Director, at 858-535-1111 ext. 3800.

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B'Lishem Chavurah Celebrates Longevity

The 17-member B'Lishem Chavurah studied the Jews of Ireland and capped the study with a traditional Irish/Jewish dinner.

Our Chavurah can be summed up in one word, "longevity." We have been together since the Chavurah Program began at Congregation Beth Israel. So, like a marriage, we have had our ups and downs, our good times and our sad ones. We have shared in member’s weddings, B’Nai Mitzvahs, Break the Fast dinners, and Chanukah parties and we have traveled together for weekend outings. We have joined together in various Mitzvah projects adding social justice to our social gatherings.

We are grandparents now, a response to the passing of time. If Chavurah is supposed to mean extended family, then we are that, a family of Jews strengthening our learning and commitment to Judaism and having fun as well.

Makir Tovah Chavurah Has a Three-Fold Mission

Lew Cohen, Adam Kahn, Allison Raskin, JoAnn and Pat Tierney, and Madeline Cohen at Makir Tovah's casual Summer family get-together hosted by the Kahn family at the home of Gladie and Ian Jaffe.

Makir Tovah meets every year in September to plan ways to get together on a monthly basis to celebrate our Judaism, our families and our many blessings.

This Chavurah tries to strike a balance between having fun, serving others, and strengthening its members' Judaism. Makir Tovah can be translated "to recognize goodness" and "grateful people."

The Chavurah has already had occasion to share each others' many joys as well as losses," said Madeline Cohen, a member of this Chavurah. "As a relatively new Chavurah, we grow closer and more grateful for our developing friendships as the years pass."

Chavurah "Chappenings" from Mishpacha Chavarah
A very long time ago, we dubbed our Chavurah "Mishpacha," and indeed the group has become "extended family." From our children's b'nai mitzvot to our children's weddings and grandchildren's births, we kvell and often celebrate together. At the other end of the life cycle, in times of grief, we hug and "do for."

Each month a designated couple hosts our get-together, and that couple is entrusted to create the evening's program. Programs vary widely, including fun and games, Israeli dancing, guest speakers, spirited discussions on current events or spiritual subjects, and an occasional outing. Having honed the art of the potluck dinner, we are, arguably, CBI's best-fed Chavurah.

You can be a part of our Chavurah network. Print and complete a Chavurah Application or contact Bonnie Graff, Program Director at 858-535-1111, ext. 3128.

Kadimah Chavurah Conducts Shabbat Services
Starting in March 2003, Kadimah Chavuraha, began officiating at monthly Friday night Shabbat services at the Classic Residence, a senior hi-rise in La Jolla. The chavurah created a wonderful siddur and the service is led by Don Greenberg, Herb Hein and Leta Gold. It started with a small group of residents, but has grown to almost 20 regulars and they are very grateful for CBI's interest in keeping them connected to the Jewish communty.

Chavurah Shabbat is an Active Group

Shabbat Chavurah always starts with lunch after Minyan.  The Talmud says that food sustains serious students.

Chavurah Shabbat meets monthly at one of our member's or members' home for lunch after Shabbat services. Following lunch, we have some kind of Jewishly oriented study and/or discussion program, which is planned by a different member or couple than the lunch host(s), so we spread the responsibilities around. About 85% of our members also frequently attend the Saturday morning Minyan service, so we see each other most Saturdays and don't have to wait for our monthly Chavurah meeting. The fabric we've woven in our Chavurah has bound us together in wonderful and meaningful ways. We are in many ways an extended family."

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CBI's Chavurah Program Received Prestigious URJ Belin Award
Congregation Beth Israel proudly accepted the distinguished Belin award on behalf of our dynamic chavurah program. The Belin Outreach Awards have been designed to encourage and honor Reform synagogues with outstanding Outreach programs that actively welcome and integrate those new to Judaism. Funded through the generosity of David Belin, the first chairman of the URJ - CCAR Commission on Reform Jewish Outreach, awards of $1,000 each are made to ten congregations at the URJ Biennial.

In addition to honoring congregations that have developed a uniquely innovative and effective Outreach program, the Belin Outreach Awards also promote Outreach throughout the entire Reform Movement through the publication of award-winning programs. In promoting Outreach to young adults, new temple members and members that need to become more active and to ensure their retention, the CBI Chavurah Program, staffed by Program Director Bonnie Graff has successfully fulfilled this task.

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The Chavurah Program
A Chavurah is a small group of up to 20 CBI members who join together to celebrate Jewish life. Through programs of study, observances of holidays and festivals, socializing and sharing of simchas, and participating together in synagogue life and community concerns, members personalize and vitalize their Jewish experience. We currently have 27 Chavurot, some of which have been in existence for 26 years. Applications are available to form a new Chavurahor to join an existing one.

The Chavurah Program at Congregation Beth Israel provides a wonderful shared Jewish experience for everyone who participates. It is one of the many ways to enhance your experience as a Temple member. We encourage you to join a Chavurah.

1. What is a Chavurah?
   Chavurah (plural is Chavurot) comes from the Hebrew word, chaver, meaning friend, or fellowship. Each Chavurah is a small group of Temple members who come together to learn, to socialize and to enjoy Jewish living with their families. They study together, worship together, celebrate Jewish holidays together, eat together. For many, the Chavurah is an extended family.

	Four of Shabbat Chavurah's most serious students, refreshed and ready for the Jewish Trivial Pursuit challenge

2. What Does A Chavurah Do?
   The Chavurah celebrates Jewish life. Through programs of study, observances of holidays and festivals, socializing and sharing of simchas, members personalize and vitalize their Jewish experience. They also participate together in Temple life and in community concerns.
   
   A Chavurah provides a unique opportunity for self-growth, involvement, friendship, and for a feeling of true belonging. The programs are self-directed. Responsibility for activities rests with the members of the Chavurah.
3. When And Where Does A Chavurah Meet?
   A Chavurah usually meets once a month, in the homes of the members, in rotation. Each group decides on the most convenient dates and times for themselves.
4. How Large Is A Chavurah?
   Each group should have approximately twenty people. However, there are no hard and fast rules about the size. Chavurot exist for families and for individuals.
5. How Do I Join A Chavurah?
   Print and complete a Chavurah Application. You will be contacted soon afterwards. New Chavurot are formed on the basis of age, children, spheres of interest, etc. You will be placed in a Chavurah just as soon as enough applications are received to form a new group, or if there is an opening in an existing Chavurah which fits your needs.

Contact Program Director Bonnie Graff at 858-535-1111 ext. 3128 if you have any further questions.