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
Visitor Policy for Congregation Beth Israel
Visitors are always welcome at our services. To help us serve you better, we hope you will let us know in advance of your arrival and provide some basic information.
With today’s growing security concerns, we want both our congregants and guests to gather for prayer and celebration with peace of mind. By completing our Visitor Information Card online before your visit, you will also save time at the door by not having to fill out a card upon arrival.
Please CLICK HERE to share your information, or call our temple office Monday through Thursday, 9:00 am-4:00 pm and on Friday 9:00 am-3:00 pm.
Office Hours
Monday-Thursday: 9:00 am - 4:00 pm
Friday: 9:00 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
Each year, as the High Holy Days approach, I find myself reflecting on the year that has passed. The weeks leading up to Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur invite us to take an honest accounting of our lives, seek forgiveness from those we have harmed, and consider how we want to grow in the year ahead.
It is easy to focus on the hardships and regrets of the past year. This year, though, I am trying to approach this season through the lenses of gratitude and curiosity.
First, gratitude. I am thankful for the many moments of joy this year, from officiating weddings and baby namings to bucket-list travel, to the simple gifts of sharing a meal with loved ones or reading a good book. In the Amidah, we recite Modim, the Prayer of Thanksgiving, reminding us to pause regularly and recognize the blessings in our lives, both extraordinary and ordinary.
As we enter the month of Elul on August 13, I invite you to reflect not only on the moments that call for repentance, but also on the moments that fill your heart with gratitude.
Then, curiosity. During the High Holy Days we sing, B'Rosh Hashanah yikateivun, u'v'Yom Tzom Kippur yichateimun, "On Rosh Hashanah it is written, and on Yom Kippur it is sealed." We are reminded that none of us knows what the coming year will bring. Rather than meeting that uncertainty with fear or anxiety, I hope to meet it with curiosity, wondering what blessings, challenges, and opportunities await.
May this season be one of meaningful reflection, deep gratitude, and hopeful curiosity. I look forward to welcoming you for services and throughout the High Holy Day season. Wishing you and your loved ones a shanah tovah u'metukah, a sweet and good new year.
Rabbi Cohn
Sue Williams, Congregation Beth Israel President
I was looking at my calendar the other day and realized that June and July seem to have disappeared somewhere! They say time flies when you're having fun. I suspect it also flies when you're attending meetings, writing grants, balancing budgets, and trying to keep up with everything happening at CBI!
Despite the summer heat, we've accomplished a great deal. We welcomed Joseph Pendelton, Carol Kins, Belinda Ladabaum, and Hana Bartlett to the Board of Trustees; completed the first year of our new Religious School curriculum thanks to the outstanding leadership of Rabbi Gabi Cohn, Diane Prewitt, and our wonderful team of teachers; continued making security improvements through our FEMA grant while refining plans for our next grant application; and kept working to strengthen CBI's financial future. None of these accomplishments would have been possible without the incredible volunteers who generously give their time, talents, and hearts to our congregation.
Sadly, we also said goodbye to four longtime members of our CBI family: Leigh Sheinberg z"l, L.A. Train z"l, Richard Schaffer z"l, and Eva Brown z"l. May their memories continue to be a blessing to all who knew them.
Now our attention turns to what promises to be a remarkably busy fall. Religious School will soon be back in session; committees are gearing up for another productive year; and before we know it the High Holy Days will be upon us. We are grateful to Rabbi Cohn and Cantor Monica O'Desky, who are already hard at work preparing meaningful services as we welcome the New Year together.
Our Rabbi Search Committee, chaired by David Krams, has embarked on its important work, and I am grateful to the many members who have stepped forward to help prepare CBI for the future. We have a great deal of work ahead, but I have every confidence that, working together, we will meet the challenge.
On a personal note, I am excited to be attending a retreat for presidents of small congregations sponsored by the Jewish Community Legacy Project in Atlanta from August 16–18 (thanks to a grant, so it won't cost CBI a penny!). Afterward, I'll finally be taking a few days to play tourist in Washington, D.C., my first real vacation in more than twelve years! I'm looking forward to visiting the Holocaust Museum, the Military Women's Memorial, and perhaps even the new Spy Museum. After all, every president deserves a little R&R... although I suspect I'll still be checking my email!
Thank you for everything you do to make Congregation Beth Israel the warm, welcoming family that it is. I look forward to seeing you in services as we begin another exciting season together.
L'Shalom, Sue Williams, President
2025-2026
CBI Officers
and Trustees
OFFICERS
President
Sue Williams
1st Vice-President
David Prewitt
2nd Vice-President
Robert Schmitchel
Secretary
Leslie Levy
Treasurer
David Loeb
Past President
David Krams
Sisterhood Co-President
Fifi Kieschnick
TRUSTEES
Gary Blum
Carol Kins
Belinda Ladabaum
Joseph Pendleton
Venita Crow
Joe Gazin
Josh Mintz
Elizabeth Susser
Suzy Hilliard
Chris Adler
Phyllis Roseman
Hana Bartlett
Sisterhood Organization
Sisterhood offers an opportunity for women to find spiritual, educational and friendship bonds within the congregation. For Sisterhood membership form, 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.