About Us

On a spring evening in 1984, four families met along with a young rabbi, Rabbi Richard D. Agler, and his wife, Mindy, to discuss the possibility of forming a new congregation. Their dream was to create a congregation that was warm and welcoming; one that would express the vitality and rich diversity of the Jewish tradition and Reform theology through its rituals and programs. A few months later, 150 people responded to an advertisement to attend an organizing meeting. The seed for Congregation B’nai Israel (CBI) was planted. Within five years, on Erev Rosh Hashanah of 1989, the 400-member-strong congregation held its first service in its new home, the beautiful campus located on Yamato Road in Boca Raton .

In 1995, the congregation authorized the construction of a new 3-story school building and magnificent chapel. By the time the new facilities were completed, the congregation numbered over 1,000 families. Today, the congregation is a thriving center for the spiritual lives of some 1,200 families. Our mission is to develop a community that has a love for and pride in being Jewish, a positive Jewish identity and a strong understanding and application of Jewish ethics, history, practices and spirituality. Knowledge and appreciation of the Hebrew language, kinship with Israel and the motivation to pursue lifelong Jewish learning is gained through our numerous services and programs. Yet, most importantly, is the foundation gained in one’s personal relationship with G-d.