Welcome to Congregation Beth Israel
Beneath our dome is a spiritual home, a place of community and friendship, a place to be inspired through prayer, a place for lifelong learning, and a place where every person makes a difference.
Summer at CBI
With a beautiful summer on the horizon, we are looking forward to:
- Cantor Ida Rae Cahana’s Farewell Shabbat and retirement celebration on Friday, June 27
- Shabbat on the Plaza on Friday, July 18, Friday, August 8, Friday, August 22, and Friday, September 5
- Tot Shabbat celebrations in parks and splash pads throughout the city
- and our new Spotlight Shabbat series, bringing experts from within our community to deliver guest sermons on Saturday mornings.
Teen Travel in 5786
5786 will see trips focused on service, community, and fun open to members in eighth through twelfth grade. Registration is open, and scholarships available (email to inquire) for:
Shabbaton at the Coast
for 8th Grade
Friday, October 10 – Saturday, October 11
$180; click to register
Join CBI staff for a coastal Shabbaton! Rain or shine (or both… within the same half hour… this is the Oregon coast after all), students will enjoy games, treks, and build community at a beautiful house by the sea. This weekend away from it all will give students a chance to solidify friendships beyond our campus and be a fun sneak peek at all the excitement and adventure that CBI travel can offer in their high school years.
Social Justice in Los Angeles
for 9th Grade
Friday, December 5 – Sunday, December 7
$1,800; click to register
Ninth graders join Tzedek America for an immersive exploration of Los Angeles that weaves together vibrant Jewish life, iconic city landmarks, and a deep dive into the social issues shaping the city today. They’ll connect with local changemakers—from community organizers to small business owners—and see firsthand how people are building resilience and creating change. Along the way, they’ll enjoy the energy of places like Venice Beach and Hollywood while exploring what justice, identity, and community look like in real life.
L’Taken in Washington, D.C
for 10th Grade
Friday, January 23 – Monday, January 26
$1,800; registration link coming shortly
CBI sophomores put their values into action at this decades-old retreat in our nation’s capital. This trip goes beyond the tourist sites (though we hit those too), empowering teens advocate for the issues that truly matter to them, including Israel, the environment, reproductive rights, LGBTQ civil rights, church/state separation, international relations and more. This is an integral part of the Confirmation class and experience for all 10th graders.
Environmental Justice in the Bay Area
For 11th and 12th Grades
Friday, February 6- Sunday, February 8
$1,800; click to register
A three-day journey through Northern California explores where environmental justice, Indigenous land stewardship, and sustainable food systems converge. Students engage directly with the land—restoring habitats, supporting wildlife conservation, and learning from Indigenous leaders reclaiming and protecting ancestral territory. Guided hikes, farm-based learning, and community conversations reveal how environmental policy intersects with systemic inequality, and how food justice fuels cultural survival. Rooted in Jewish values and a shared commitment to justice, this immersive experience deepens understanding of the ties between people, land, and sustainability—and sparks action toward a more equitable future.
5786 Religious School Early Bird Registration
Open Through June 30
As we roll out our school registration for the upcoming school year, I’m filled with gratitude to everyone who was part of making this year so special.
I want to invite you now to reflect on a moment, event , or experience for you and/or your student this past year that felt particularly meaningful and fun. Was it a Hebrew word of the day skit at Mishpacha minyan? Or watching your child try an aerial move at JaJa PDX during our Purim celebration? Was your child called to Torah this year as a B’nei Mitzvah?
Did a Jewish ritual object that your child made in art class this year find its way to your Shabbat table at home? Did your teen return from a social justice changed and engaged to help repair our world? Did you meet another family at a family program and spark a new friendship?
Thank you for being our partner in the Jewish education for your student and family at this time in your lives. May the new year ahead find our students living and learning in a more peaceful world, and may our students and families experience joyful Jewish learning which enriches their lives and strengthens the greater community.
L’Shalom,
Ben Sandler
Education Director
