Newsletter – November 24

Your inside look at cbi’s upcoming events

Shabbat Services

Friday Evening Service

Friday, November 28 | 7PM

Saturday Morning Service

Saturday, November 29 | 8:30AM

Friday Evening Service

Friday, December 5 | 7PM

Saturday Morning Service

Saturday, December 6 | 8:30AM

Updates & Important Notices

CBI Admin and Religious School Offices Closed for the Thanksgiving Holiday:

Congregation B’nai Israel wishes you and your loved ones a warm and joyful Thanksgiving! Please note our holiday schedule:

  • Tue, 11/25: No SLJ
  • Wed, 11/26: NCECE Closed | Admin Offices close at 1 PM
  • Thu-Fri 11/27-11/28: CBI Campus & Schools Closed
  • Fri, 11/28: 7PM Shabbat Evening Service
  • Sat, 11/29: 8:30AM Shabbat Morning Service
  • Sun, 11/30: No SLJ

ShulCloud Members App:

CBI made easy! Introducing the ShulCloud Mobile Member App. Download it on the Apple store or Google Play.

Upcoming Events

Thank You!

As we prepare for Tuesday’s event, we want to thank all the volunteers who have signed up and the families who have donated groceries to help “feed the community.”

Congregation B’nai Israel has partnered with Ebenezer Missionary Baptist Church for 42 years to provide a Thanksgiving feast for members of our community. Our neighbors will be invited to Ebenezer Church on Tuesday, November 25th to pick up everything needed for a bountiful holiday meal.

There are many ways for our CBI family to participate in this event including donating food or harvest baskets, sponsoring a table, donating a meal, baking cookies, hosting a neighborhood collection, or volunteering your time. Last year’s event helped feed over 1000 people. Let’s do it again this year!

Community service hours are available for students. 

For questions about this event, please contact Minda Shaiman at 561.241.8118.

History of Hatred: The Ever-Present Threat of Antisemitism

Wednesdays at 10:30AM | Begins December 3 | 6 weeks​

Join Rabbi Silvers and Rabbi Keller for this eye-opening six-part course. You’ll journey through the roots and evolution of antisemitism, from ancient times to the present day.

We will explore:

  • Encounters between Jews and early Christianity and Islam

  • The rise of antisemitism in medieval Europe

  • Racial ideologies leading to the Holocaust

  • The roles of communism and Islamism in shaping attitudes toward Jews

  • Today’s complex challenges across the political spectrum

6-week course | $179 (includes e-book)
Scholarships available

Don’t miss this opportunity to deepen your understanding and engage in meaningful discussion with your rabbis and fellow learners.

Exploring Jewish and Christian Beliefs with Rabbi David Greenberg 

Wednesdays at 2:30PM | Begins December 3 | 3 weeks​

This complimentary three-part series will explore the Jewish perspective on Jesus and the Messiah, offering a deeper understanding of why Jews historically, and today, do not accept Jesus as the Messiah.

Together, we will examine Jewish texts, history, and theology to better understand how the idea of the Messiah has been interpreted over time.

Refreshments will be served.

Chanukarama 2025​

Sunday, December 7 | 3-5PM

This Chanukah, we’re headed to camp! Join us for our Camp Maccabee themed Chanukarama Carnival filled with games, music, sweet treats, crafts, rides, prizes, and glowing holiday fun for the whole family.

Camp Schedule:

  • Campfire Story Time
  • Arts & Crafts Cabin with ArtNest
  • Sing-Along with Miss Susan
  • Color War led by Mizfit
  • Camp Dance with DJ Danny
  • Camp Magic Show

Entry is complimentary for every NCECE camper and their immediate family. Camp runs best when we know who’s coming—please RSVP by 11/25.

The Magic of Disney Shabbat

Friday, December 12 | 6PM

Don’t forget to register for our special Friday night Shabbat Service. Our traditional prayers will be set to the tune of some of our favorite Disney music.

Stay for a Disney-themed Oneg following services. We invite you to come dressed as your favorite Disney character!

Registration is Required.

Book Fair

Monday, December 15 - Thursday, December 18

Join us for the 2025 NCECE Scholastic Book Fair!

  • Monday, December 15 | 9AM-12PM
  • Tuesday, December 16 | 9AM-6PM
  • Wednesday, December 17 |  7:45AM- 12PM
  • Thursday, December 18 | 9AM-12PM

Please join us in the North Social Hall before drop-off, after pickup, or immediately following your child’s holiday show to shop the Book Fair—or explore and shop online at your convenience!

A portion of all proceeds will be donated to benefit NCECE and CBI.

  • Purchase for your class book exchange
  • Purchase for your teacher’s wishlist
  • Free gift wrapping!

Light Up Chanukah

Wednesday, December 17 | 5PM

Join your  PJ Library® friends and the Jewish Community 

5150 Town Center Cir.
(On Military Trail 1 mile north of Palmetto Park Road – not at the Town Center Mall)

  • 5PM – Crafts & Storytime
  • 6:15PM – Candle Lighting and Concert
  • Chanukah concert featuring Rock N’ Roll Rabbi David Paskin!

RSVP in advance for a chance to win great prizes!

December Book Club

Thursday, December 18 | 7:30PM via Zoom

Join us for our December reading: My Friends by Fredrik Backman

The Book: Louisa notices three hidden figures in a famous seascape and sets out to uncover their story. Her search reveals a long-ago summer of friendship and love, and takes her on a cross-country journey that celebrates the enduring power of art, memory, and human connection.

About the Author: Stockholm-born Fredrik Backman is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of A Man Called Ove, Beartown, and Anxious People. His novels, translated into over forty languages, are cherished by readers worldwide.

Upcoming Book Club Dates:

  • Jan 22 – IN PERSON: The Night Sparrow by Shelly Sanders, moderated by the author
  • Feb 19: Becoming Madam Secretary by Stephanie Dray, moderated by Renee Nadel
  • Mar 19: In the Family Way by Laney Katz Becker
  • Apr 16
  • May 21

Chanukah Shabbat​​

Friday, December 19 | 7PM

Join us for a special Chanukah Shabbat service as we light the Chanukiah and Shabbat candles, followed by a Sufganiyot (jelly donut) Oneg. Free raffle, gelt and dreidels! Registration is required.

Join us before services for a Shabbat dinner at 5:45PM:

  • $18 for CBI Members & School Families
  • $25 for Community Guests
  • $12 for Children (12 and under)

Oneg and service are open to all. Please RSVP for Dinner before December 12th.

Please bring an unwrapped toy or gift card to support our Holiday Toy Drive.

Recurring Events

Mahjong Club

Tuesdays at 6:30PM | Thursdays at 10:30AM

Looking to learn Mahjong or dust off those tiles? Mahjong Club is for women who want to connect and play.

Whether you’re brand new or CRAK-ing the Mahjong codes, this is a welcoming group to hang out with every week. Snacks and good conversation always included!

Blanket Buddies

Monday, December 1 | 10:30AM

Join us as we make easy-to-assemble, no sew blankets for hospital patients and those in need within our community.

Who Can Join?

This event is open to our members and their guests.

While this is a free event, we ask that you please register in advance

Social Action

Little Free Pantry

Ways to Support:

CBI’s Little Free Pantry is located at Ebenezer Missionary Baptist Church. Although the box “lives” on the church campus, it belongs to the community. Anyone is welcome to take items from the box and anyone is welcome to place items in the box. The box is accessible 24/7.

Help us keep the pantries full with non-perishable items:

  • Juice Boxes
  • Peanut Butter Crackers
  • Canned Vegetables
  • Canned Tuna
  • Canned Pasta
  • Cheese Crackers
  • Personal Care Items

Please drop off your donations between 9AM – 5PM in the blue bin in CBI’s Admin Circle.