Almost seven years ago I went searching for a meaningful professional opportunity and a place to belong. During these years I’ve had the privilege of working alongside wonderful colleagues and lay leaders, each having a significant impact in my life. I have been a partner, teammate and supporter. Each congregant, young and old alike, allowed [...]
Rachel Segalman: On Being the first B'Mitzvah Family at Trinity Lutheran When I was a child, my family belonged to Congregation Beth Torah in Richardson, Texas. At the time, Beth Torah was still raising a building fund. My earliest fond memories of this very inclusive, family-focused community were in the sanctuary that they shared [...]
PHOTO ABOVE: Lindsay and Todd Pellegrino with their younger son, Reece, at the BHY Consecration. Not pictured: older son Maxon. The Althea Stroum & Pat Glazer Memorial Family Camp Weekend is made possible by philanthropic support that offsets the cost of attendance for families with financial need. If you’d like to learn [...]
A Note: I’ll be starting my maternity leave at the end of this week, on November 4th. I'm currently 38 weeks' pregnant, but started writing this essay a bit before my 20th week of pregnancy. In my 20s, the “do not get pregnant” advice translated in my mind like a neon sign screaming at [...]
Recently, we asked longtime CBB member Marilyn Weixel to reflect on her recent travels to Israel, and the connection that keeps her returning. Below is her response. “When a Jew visits Jerusalem for the first time, it is not the first time; it is a homecoming.” Elie Wiesel People often ask me, when they hear [...]
Monica Steiner Hooray!: Abraham the Woman Would Have Stayed Monica has served as a lay leader at CBB for 11 years and on our professional staff for the past 5+, most recently as Director of Donor Relations. This month, CBB wished Monica and her family farewell as they move across country so Monica can begin [...]
Charles during his mikveh immersion at Goleta Beach. Photo by Phoebe Light Charles Perkins: Public Affirmation Speech Author's note: With much gentle nudging and calm reassurance, our own Rabbi Daniel Brenner convinced me that my public affirmation ceremony would benefit from a few short words about my conversion process -- my "journey home" [...]
Elizabeth Mason: Thanksgivikuh Our Hebrew calendar found us segueing from Thanksgiving to Hanukkah within a matter of days this year. As such, the gestalt of Thanksgiving evoked a background for gratitude, light and dedication of the soul. Within the microcosm of the Mason family, there emerged a small-scale miracle around this period of time, its [...]
Liam Avolio: Reflections From My Bar Mitzvah The day had finally come. I suppose I knew that it was happening, but it always seemed so far away. But years became months, and months became weeks, and weeks became days. And now, here I was, catching up with family, outside the temple where my Bar Mitzvah [...]
Judy Karin: In the Fall We Build a Fort In the fall, we build a fort. I have a childhood memory: we’re stuck in traffic, on the way to visit my grandparents in Queens. I glance out the window and see a field of - I don’t know, it looks like giant ferns. It’s [...]