Welcome to
Congregation Beth Israel
Corpus Christi
Come see what
we're all about
Congregation Beth Israel is a A Union of Temple Beth El & B'nai Israel Synagogue. We are a Reform and Conservative Synagogue located in Corpus Christi, Texas.
Shabbat Service Schedule
Fridays: 6:30 pm
Saturdays: 9:00 am
~Due to ongoing security concerns, we request that visitors and newcomers to the community please contact us before attending services. We look forward to speaking with you and welcoming you to our congregation.
Past, Present, and Future - South Texas has committed itself to continuing a strong sense of Jewish pride and a dedication to upholding the Jewish faith and cultural traditions. We offer a variety of enrichment classes, social outreach programs and mitzvah opportunities. Generations of families and friends have helped make the Jewish community in Corpus Christi and its surrounding areas the stronghold it is today. Today's families enthusiastically welcome tomorrow's new members.
Rabbi Gabrielle Cohn
Dear Congregation Beth Israel,
Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that. - Martin Luther King Jr.
This month we have the opportunity to celebrate Hanukkah. We will be celebrating as a congregation a little early, December 20th, this year because of the timing of the holidays and winter break. But as the nights get longer and the days shorter we know that it is light the pushes away the darkness.
I recently finished a book called The Amen Effect by Rabbi Sharon Brous. In it she talks of how to sit with people in their dark moments while still caring for yourself. One task Rabbi Brous suggests is to take moments for joy. She explains that she tries to take 18 minutes to do something joyful every day, and then she journals about it after. Bringing this joy into her life has allowed for some light to enter even when she was going through a dark time.
As we approach Hanukkah and the winter months I invite you to give this practice a try, find just 18 minutes to do something that brings you joy and then take a couple minutes to write about what you did and compile your joyful moments to allow for something to look back on when you are having a particularly dark day.
Rabbi Cohn
David Krams, Congregation Beth Israel President
CBI Friends,
I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving Holiday and are looking forward to the possibility of some comfortable or cool weather arriving here soon in South Texas.
Thank you to all who welcomed and joined our friends from the Church of Good Shepherd as we celebrated the 90-year tradition of our Joint Thanksgiving Service together. We had another great turnout from both congregations. We thank Rev. Milton Black for his Thanksgiving message of peace and tolerance, as we continue to face antisemitism across our country and remember the horrific October 7 attack last year on Israel. Let us continue to pray and stand for Israel, the IDF, and for peace in the region, as we appreciate the longstanding support from our friends from the Church of Good Shepherd.
And, just a few weeks ago, the support from Corpus Christi community at-large was again displayed at this year’s Jewish Food Fest. Thank you to Sisterhood for coordinating and pulling off such an amazing event, and thank you to those from within our Congregation that volunteered, supported, and participated this year.
Though we have been busy the past two months with the High Holy Days and our November traditions, we look forward to the many upcoming programs and events. Please make plans to attend our Family Channukah Celebration/Dinner on December 20, the Rabbi’s Installation on January 17, and participate in some or all of the Adult Education opportunities being planned. If you have any ideas for programs or activities, please contact Venita Crow, Adult Education Committee Chairperson.
As we approach the end of the calendar year, please make sure you are up to date on your annual dues commitment. And if you have not contributed to this year’s High Holy Day Appeal, please make a donation. The appeal ends December 31st, and we have yet to make our congregant participation or financial goals to provide needed improvements to address the health, safety, and security of CBI’s facility. Your membership dues and additional contributions are needed and greatly appreciated.
And remember, if you have any CBI questions or have an issue or concern throughout the year, please feel free to contact me or another board member. In the meantime, we hope you participate in the upcoming CBI Shabbat services and events, and Amy and I wish you all a Happy Channukah and Happy New Year.
Be safe and Shalom,
David Krams
CBI President
2024-2025
CBI Officers
and Trustees
OFFICERS
President
David Krams
1st Vice-President
Dr. Gary Blum
2nd Vice-President
Phyllis Roseman
Secretary
Leslie Levy
Treasurer
David Beck
Past President
Mike Trimyer
Sisterhood President
Amy Krams
TRUSTEES
Chris Adler
Roslyn Ferrell
Jordan Hans
Michael Hiatt
Fifi Kieschnick
Carol Kins
David Loeb
Robert Schmitchel
Dr. Bryan Stone
Jeffrey Pollack
Sue Williams,
Maury Wolfson
Sisterhood Organization
Sisterhood offers an opportunity for women to find spiritual, educational and friendship bonds within the congregation. For Sisterhood membership form, click here. For 2024-2025 Sisterhood Calendar, click here.
A tradition for over 30 years, the Sisterhood Organization's Annual Fundraiser serves delicious meals of Jewish Delicacies plus a sweet shop. This event usually takes place second weekend of November. CLICK HERE for more information.
