Jewish Holidays at CBI
Worship at CBI is inspirational, dynamic, and in keeping with the ever-changing face of Reform Judaism. All are welcome to our historic campus and vibrant community for weekly Shabbat Evening and Morning Services and for our holiday observances throughout the year.
You may find our full schedule of holiday observances on our events calendar.
Rosh Hashanah
CBI welcomes each sweet new year at Rosh Hashanah with a schedule of services for members and guests of all ages, from our welcoming babies to the bimah at our Tot Service to gathering for our Traditional Service. Highlights include multiple services—for families with young children, for tweens, for teens, and for adults—coming together as one for a final Shofar blast, and gathering for Tashlich at riverfront locations across the Portland area.
Click to Revisit our 5786 Erev Rosh Hashanah Service
Rabbi Rachel Joseph’s Sermon Begins at 1:07:20
Click here for details on our 5786 High Holidays observances.
Yom Kippur
The CBI community approaches Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, with a full schedule that invites each of us to reflect on the meaning of our lives, our capacity for gratitude, and our relationships with the divine. In addition to services for all ages, we offer opportunities for study with the CBI clergy and guest scholars, and musical, meditative moments in our historic Sanctuary.
Click here for details on our 5786 High Holidays observances.
Sukkot
Our Sukkot celebrations make the most of autumn, with a community Sukkah raising on the CBI Plaza, a chance for our Religious School students to decorate the Sukkah (and have class sessions in it!) as well as community-wide chances for study and socializing.
CBI members are also invited to an annual Open House at the home of Rabbi Cahana.
Simchat Torah
Simchat Torah marks the start of our first grade students’ Jewish learning with an intimate, joyful Consecration Service during our Religious School day.
For our adult community members, the holiday presents a chance to connect and learn, at as we unroll our Sifrei Torah and begin a new cycle of reading together.
Chanukah
Chanukah at CBI offers lively, light filled fun for all ages. Highlights include a Chanukah Family Shabbat (complete with latkes, sufganiyot, stories, and songs), a light show (complete with blow ups), concerts, celebrations, and social action efforts to share the light (often in the form of a cooking oil drive for community partners) with the world at large.
Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Shabbat
A particularly beautiful CBI tradition is our annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Shabbat Service where leaders of the Civil Rights Movement speak and our choir joins with the NW Freedom singers to honor Dr. King’s enduring legacy.
Previous speakers include Congressman John Lewis, activist Bryan Stevenson, and activist and journalist Myrlie Evers-Williams
Purim
Expect to laugh—a lot—when you celebrate Purim at CBI. Our talented clergy, staff, and congregant volunteers perform Purim Schpiels like no one else—check out our archive of past productions!
We also bring some serious silliness to our Religious School with a day dedicated to circus arts!
Passover
CBI’s annual Women’s Seder in the leadup to the holiday brings our community together for rest, reflection, and hands-on creativity prior to the holiday. Each year, we also partner with Jewish Family and Child Service and our own WRJ/Beth Israel Sisterhood to host a Community Seder for JFCS clientele, including Holocaust Survivors. Opportunities to celebrate continue throughout the holidays and have included Young Adult Seders, Chocolate Seders for our Mini Mensches, and more!
Shabbat on the Plaza
Our beautiful Portland summers see our community coming together for one of CBI’s most cherished ongoing traditions: Shabbat on the Plaza. Families and friends gather (often with picnic suppers!) on the Temple Lawn for a festive, musical, outdoor Shabbat Service.