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
First, I want to thank everyone who helped make our High Holy Days so meaningful, and each and every one of you who joined us for services throughout the month of September. It was wonderful to see so many of you throughout the holiday season, and I felt truly blessed to lead our community in prayer during such a sacred time.
As we enter the month of Cheshvan, the only month on the Jewish calendar without a holiday, you might think things would slow down at CBI. But there is certainly no slowing down here! As you all know, our Jewish Food Fest will be here before we know it, along with all of the other programs, services, and opportunities that make our community vibrant.
As fall approaches, the light begins to change, and the seasons slowly shift. In our Amidah, we move from our summer insertion, morid ha-tal, “You cause the dew to fall,” to our winter prayer, mashiv ha-ruach u’morid ha-gashem, “You cause the wind to shift and the rain to fall.” While we are grateful that Corpus is experiencing a lower level of water crisis these days, we continue to pray for rain and for the seasons to unfold in their proper time.
This season also invites us into gratitude. Gratitude for all the beauty and blessings in our lives—from a small smile that brightens our day to a major life change that transforms our world. When we take the time to notice, we can find reasons for gratitude every single day.
Over the past several months, I have continued to think about the themes of curiosity and gratitude that I wrote about in my last bulletin message. I encourage you to continue approaching life with curiosity. When we are angry, we can be curious about that anger. When we are happy, we can be curious about what brings us joy. And when we encounter someone whose perspective or experience is different from our own, we can approach them with curiosity rather than assumption.
We never fully know what another person is carrying or what their experience of a situation might be. Curiosity gives us the opportunity to pause, listen, and make space for one another. And perhaps, in doing so, we discover something new—not only about the people around us, but about ourselves.
May the coming months bring you good health, happiness, gratitude, and many opportunities for curiosity and connection. I look forward to seeing you throughout CBI—from Jewish Food Fest, to Shabbat services, to our Joint Thanksgiving Service, and all the moments in between.
L’shalom,
Rabbi Gabrielle Cohn
Sue Williams, Congregation Beth Israel President
As we move into fall, I am happy to report that Congregation Beth Israel enjoyed a wonderful and highly successful High Holy Day season. It was especially meaningful to see so many familiar faces—and some new ones—filling our sanctuary as we welcomed 5787 together.
My thanks to Rabbi Cohn, Cantor O’Desky, Cantor Soloist Angie Friedman, and accompanist Eliza Williams, and our staff, volunteers, and security team who worked behind the scenes to make these days so special.
We also celebrated our first Sukkot in our new portable Sukkah! Thank you to Joseph Pendelton who led the effort and to Diego Garcia who provided his crew for tackling the assembly. I understand they even read the instructions first—a remarkable act of faith in itself!
If you have not yet contributed to our High Holy Day Appeal, there is still time. This year’s Appeal supports roof repairs, an emergency lock box giving police and fire personnel after-hours access when necessary, and the growing cost of uniformed CCPD officers at special events. Every contribution helps us maintain a safe and welcoming home for Jewish life in the Coastal Bend, and we would love to reach 100% congregational participation.
I am also delighted to report that we have successfully completed our first FEMA Security Grant. Over the past 13 months, it has funded substantial improvements to the physical security of our building and grounds. It was quite an undertaking, but we finally crossed the finish line! We have requested a 2nd FEMA grant and are hopeful we will make the final list of approved projects.
And now, because apparently CBI does not believe in resting after the High Holy Days, it is time for our 41st Annual Jewish Food Festival! This is one of our most important fundraisers and one of our best opportunities to welcome the wider community through our doors. Please volunteer, bake, cook, sell, organize, clean up -- or just show up, ready to help. There truly is a job for everyone!
We have much to celebrate and much to look forward to. Thank you for continuing to make CBI the warm, active, and welcoming congregation we all cherish.
L’Shalom,
Sue Williams, President
2026-2027
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 40 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.