Modern Mishkan at CBI
Step into an astonishing experience…
Modern Mishkan at CBI
Thursday, May 14 to Thursday, May 28
Modern Mishkan, an immersive experience of Judaic art, is coming to CBI! In this installation, trees of silk flow and weave together, creating an inviting, tent-like space that incorporates the 613 commandments from the Torah. We invite you to step into this creation, the decades-long work of fiber artist Diane Fredgant.
The installation goes up in Lipman Foyer on Thursday, May 14, creating an ephemeral space for peace, prayer, and connection on our campus. In the two weeks that we host the Modern Mishkan we invite the CBI community to gather and be moved, whether at one of our structured events and artist talks, or for private moments of quiet contemplation.
Please read on for our scheduled moments in the Mishkan, or reach out to sechedule a personal experience.
WRJ/Beth Israel Sisterhood Moment in the Modern Mishkan
Thursday, May 14, 6:00 PM
As CBI welcomes the Modern Mishkan to our campus and community, Sisterhood members are invited to gather beneath its flowing canopy of silk for an evening of reflection and conversation. Prior to their May Board Meeting, participants will hear from artist Diane Fredgant about the decades-long creative journey behind this remarkable installation.
Please note that this month’s board meeting will be in person ONLY.
Graduation Shabbat Moment in the Modern Mishkan
Friday, May 15, 7:00 PM
Following our celebration of CBI’s Class of 5786, the community is invited to gather and reflect in the Modern Mishkan. Immersed in color and history, let’s pause to appreciate the moments of growth that brought us to this milestone, and to look ahead toward all that yet to come.
Modern Mishkan Tot Shabbat
Saturday, May 16, 9:00 AM
Babies in the Modern Mishkan! Join us for a Tot Shabbat filled with music, movement, color, and wonder as our youngest community members (and their grownups) enjoy a Shabbat morning celebration that unites story, art, and play.
Religious School Moments in the Modern Mishkan
Sunday, May 17, 9:30 AM
During Religious School, students, families, and teachers will have the opportunity to experience the Modern Mishkan together. Across ages and grades, this special installation offers new ways to engage with Jewish story, art, community, and imagination within the rhythms of a Sunday morning at CBI.
Additional details and schedule information will be shared soon.
Teen Dinner at Modern Mishkan
Sunday, May 17, 6:00 PM
As the school year winds down and calendars begin to overflow, CBI teens are invited to pause together for an evening of art, conversation, and community in the Modern Mishkan. Open to all high school students (whether enrolled in Religious School or not) this final teen/clergy dinner of the year begins with a conversation and artist talkback with creator Diane Fredgant, followed by dinner and time to simply be together in this remarkable space.
Because we know our teens are incredibly busy, there will be no High School classes on the day of our dinner.
And because we know this time of year is particularly frenetic (finals…oy!) we are happy to open the installation early for teens who would like a moment to decompress, reset, get a little studying done, or simply spend some quiet time in the space before dinner begins. .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) if you are interested!
Shavuot Moment in the Modern Mishkan
Friday, May 22, 7:00 PM
As our Shavuot Storytelling Shabbat draws to a close, the community is invited into the Modern Mishkan for an evening of story, celebration, and connection. Together, surrounded by this luminous work of textile art, we honor the Jewish tradition of passing wisdom, memory, and imagination from one generation to the next.
Keshet Kin Moment in the Modern Miskan
from Keshet Kin: a CBI Circle
Tuesday, May 26, 7:00 PM
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Loved ones of kids (of any age!) who are trans, queer, non-binary, gender-fluid, or exploring gender identity are invited to gather in the Modern Mishkan for an evening of conversation, reflection, and community. Wherever your family is on this journey, Keshet Kin offers a space of support, allyship, and connection: a reminder that no one walks this path alone.
Together in this immersive work of art, participants will hear from artist Diane Fredgant and reflect on the ways Jewish community can hold complexity, growth, creativity, and belonging.
YOUR Moment in the Modern Mishkan
Thursday, May 14 - Thursday, May 28
Throughout the two weeks of the Modern Mishkan installation, members of our community are warmly invited to create their own Moment in the Modern Mishkan.
These gatherings can take many forms — a quiet solo visit, a family reflection, a small group conversation with friends, or a shared experience with colleagues, classmates, or connections across CBI and the greater Portland community. However you choose to enter the space, the Mishkan is here to hold moments of meaning in ways that are personal to you.
If you are interested in scheduling a private or semi-private moment in the installation, .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) so we can help find a time that works.