Welcome to
Congregation Beth Israel
Corpus Christi
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.
Office Hours
Monday-Thursday: 10:00 am - 4:00 pm
Friday: 10:00 am - 3:00 pm
Saturday and Sunday: Closed
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 CBI Family,
As we come to the close of the 2024/2025 fiscal year here at CBI and near the end of my first year as your rabbi, I want to thank you all for everything you have done in the past year to help our community thrive. I want to especially thank David and Amy Krams for their time as Congregational and Sisterhood Presidents respectively and for all that they have done the past two years in these roles.
As part of my work at CBI, I have been participating in Makom, a Fellowship for Small Town Jewish Life, supporting and teaching leaders of communities around the country that are new in the field. One of the aspects we have been learning about is values and virtues. As such, I have been thinking a lot about the virtues we live by here at CBI. As I have gotten to know the community more and more this past year, I have noticed a focus on community mindedness, kindness, inclusion, and wisdom. These virtues help put the rubber to the road and help us to continue to be a family of families, living up to our mission.
As we enter into the new fiscal year and the summer here in Corpus, may we continue from strength to strength, staying cool along the way. As violence towards Jews and antisemitism continues to be on the rise, I pray that we may soon find peace both here, in Israel, and around the world, that we can all learn to work together to better the world we live in. May we continue to support each other in the good times and the bad, and may the coming year be a good one for us all. Kein yehi ratzon, may this be God’s will.
Rabbi Gabrielle Cohn
David Krams, Congregation Beth Israel President
CBI Friends,
As I write my final newsletter article as president of our congregation, I am filled with gratitude, pride, and hope. Serving as CBI’s president over the past two years has truly been a fulfilling honor. And, to do so, while my wife, Amy, served as CBI’s Sisterhood President, made it even more rewarding. As a congregation, we have navigated challenges, celebrated holidays, welcomed a new rabbi and new members, said goodbye to too many of our friends and family, and strengthened the bonds between us that makes our Family of Families so special.
I thank each of you for the trust you placed in me and the support you have shown throughout my time as president. Whether it was through your participation or leading of our services, your volunteer efforts for events, celebrations, and board meetings, or simply your presence at activities, you have been and what it takes to make this congregation thrive.
As we look ahead to the new board and leadership, I do so with confidence and optimism that our congregation is in good hands. The new board will bring a combination of board experience, various talents, and those that will be dedicated in their new roles and responsibilities. I encourage you to extend to them the same trust and support you provided to me. And may the new board bring fresh perspectives and ideas but still have a deep commitment to ensure that our congregation continues to thrive.
While we celebrate the new fiscal year and board leadership, we cannot ignore the challenges we face as a Jewish community. The recent tragic killings of the two Israeli embassy staff in Washington, D.C., the nearly 60 hostages that remain captive in Gaza, and the rise in antisemitism across the world and our country weigh heavily on all of us. May we all pray for those impacted. These events remind us of the importance of vigilance, unity, and resilience. And as a congregation, we will continue as a priority to provide and enhance our security measures.
In just a few days, please join us on Wednesday, June 4, for our Annual Congregation Meeting. Besides electing our new Officers and Trustees, we will be receiving Committee reports about the past year, honor the recipient of Congregation’s Exemplary Service Award, and we have the 2025-26 Budget to consider for action. Remember to arrive early and enjoy our Wine and Cheese reception. We need you to please make plans and attend, since we need to ensure a quorum to take the actions needed at the meeting.
Thank you again for your support over the past two years, and your commitment to our congregation.
Be safe and Shalom,
David Krams
CBI President 2023-25
2025-2026
CBI Officers
and Trustees
OFFICERS
President
Sue Williams
1st Vice-President
David Prewitt
2nd Vice-President
Dr. Gary Blum
Secretary
Jerri Osberg
Treasurer
David Loeb
Past President
David Krams
Sisterhood President
Diane Prewitt
TRUSTEES
Venita Crow
Joe Gazin
Josh Mintz
Elizabeth Susser
Jordan Hans
Fifi Kieschnick
Robert Schmitchel
Dr. Bryan Stone
Robert Schmitchel
Chris Adler
Leslie Levy
Suzy Hilliard
Phyllis Roseman
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.
