Accessibility, Health, and Safety
Accessibility at CBI
We are committed to fostering an inclusive, accessible experience that enables all individuals, including individuals with disabilities, to engage fully.
Consult our calendar for information about the accessibility and available support for events both on and off the CBI campus.
If there are specific ways in which we can support your full participation, .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).
Please read on for a detailed outline of available support, or consult this chart for quick visual breakdown.
Wheelchair Access
Our buildings are wheelchair accessible.
For events located in our Main Sanctuary, there is ramp access from our carriage entrance (semicircular drive) on NW Flanders Street. Please note: The floor of the Main Sanctuary has a downward slope and the bimah (raised pulpit) is only accessible by stairs.
For events located in Pollin Chapel and Goodman Hall in the Schnitzer Family Center, a member of our staff will direct guests to the accessible entrance, which is on NW Flanders Street through the wood double doors (pictured here) west of the glass entry.
For events located in the Sherman Education Building, CBI staff can assist you with the wheelchair lift at our NW Flanders Street entrance. The entrance to The Jennifer Barnum Luria Early Childhood Center (“The Jennie”) on NW 20th Ave is also wheelchair accessible. Blumauer Auditorium is accessible via ramp on The Jennie side of the building.
For events located on the CBI Plaza, there is ramp access via the carriage entrance (semicircular drive) on NW Flanders St. Wheelchair-accessible restrooms are most readily available in the Main Sanctuary for outdoor events at CBI; a staff member can unlock the building for you.
The Beth Israel Cemetery and Landau Chapel are wheelchair accessible, though landscape and grading on the grounds can present challenges, and the bathrooms in Landau Chapel are not fully wheelchair accessible. If you are planning a visit to our cemetery and would like additional mobility support, please.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).
Restrooms
Fully wheelchair accessible bathrooms are available in our Main Sanctuary, Schnitzer Family Center, and Sherman Education Building; the bathroom at Landau Chapel (at the Beth Israel Cemetery) is navigable via wheelchair but does not have a grab bar.
Non-gendered bathrooms are available in our Schnitzer Family Center, Sherman Education Building, and Landau Chapel. You are welcome to use the bathroom that best aligns with your gender identity on any location on our campus.
Assistive Listening Support
Congregation Beth Israel has installed a Telecoil hearing loop system to support those with hearing aids for events in our Main Sanctuary.
The system is designed to work with hearing aids that have a Telecoil (alternatively: T-Coil, T-switch) built into the device by sending an audio signal directly to the hearing aid. (Please note that this is not a Bluetooth system, and your hearing aid will not need to be connected to your phone to use Telecoil).
To use the system, your hearing aid must be equipped with Telecoil capabilities and it must be switched into Telecoil mode. Please contact your audiologist for instructions on how to work with our system. We are unable to assist in adjusting hearing aid settings before or during services.
Our greeters are happy to guide you to a seat where the sound system is at its best.
Large Print Prayer Books
Large print prayer books are available and are located in the “accommodation stations” adjacent to the entrance to the Main Sanctuary and Pollin Chapel.
Following services, printed copies of clergy sermons are available upon request. Please .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) if you would like a copy.
Livestream
Our worship services and many of our programs are available via livestream on our website and YouTube channel.
Closed Captioning
Closed captions are available for those who join our services via YouTube; click here for instructions.
Please note that YouTube’s captions are automatically generated and not optimal for the Hebrew and musical portions of our services.
Dietary Needs
Gluten-free, dairy-free, and vegan options are available at most events. Please .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or note your dietary requests on the registration form for specific programs.
Please note that the CBI campus is a pork- and shellfish- free location.
CBI Website
This CBI website has been re-designed for ready use by and access for all, including people who employ screen readers, keyboard navigation, or other assistive tools. We have prioritized clear headings, readable text, and accessible forms are built in from the start. Our goal is to meet or exceed national accessibility standards, making the site welcoming and usable for all. You can read more about the specific features by clicking here.
This is an ongoing venture; if there are ways in which we can do better, .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address),
Campus Security
CBI’s on-site facilities staff are very familiar with, and responsive to, our neighborhood. Beyond those listed below, there are additional security measures in place across campus that may not be visible or obvious to you.
Except when scheduled services and programs are in session, all doors on the CBI campus are locked and monitored, which means that visitors will need to ring the bell and be buzzed in for access to any of our buildings.
Remember that our campus is in an urban environment and we encourage you to practice situational awareness by keeping track of who is around you and avoiding distractions to your attention such as phone or earbud use. While in transit to CBI, be aware of potential urban hazards, such as broken glass, refuse, or drug paraphernalia, and alert CBI staff if something seems suspicious or unsafe.
Please be sure to secure all valuables when you leave your vehicle.
For the safety and comfort of our community, large backpacks, bags, purses and/or packages ARE NOT ALLOWED on campus during services. Please make an effort to leave such items at home. Should you bring them with you, our greeters may request to inspect these items and ask that you secure them elsewhere.
Health and Safety
As has been the case since the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic, we have been in close communication with the Oregon Health Authority, other Faith Institutions nationally and locally, and health care professionals in our community. Following the lead of these authorities, masks are optional–but certainly welcome–for all who join us.
We continue to strongly encourage members of our community, and of the greater Portland community, to be fully vaccinated.
Thank You
Our deep appreciation to WRJ/Beth Israel Sisterhood and the WRJ/Beth Israel Sisterhood Service for the Blind Fund for their generous financial support of our large print prayer books, website, and other accessibility resources.