[CBI] An email from Rabbi Paul Resnick.........

Wed Sep 4 15:07:37 EDT 2019

REFLECTIONS

Thank you for opening your doors, hearts and minds to me during this first
month of being your interim rabbi. I feel great about my month here at CBI.
I have met some wonderful people. I have learned a lot about the fabric of
life of the CBI community. You have engaged with me over Meet & Greets or at
Shabbat Services or at the JCC!  We have met at the BBQ on August 1st - or
at the Board Meeting, morning minyan or at a shiva house.

I want to share some reflections with you. In addition to providing rabbinic
support and leadership for all CBI members, part of my job here, as
described by your leadership to me, is to provide stability and comfort for
the CBI community.   

I am working daily to fulfill both roles. And, as always, if we have not
met,  I welcome an opportunity to meet with you in my office, take a walk,
have a cup of tea, or a drink! If you are interested in a conversation,
please contact Susan at  <mailto:clegyoffice at cbi-nj.org>
clergyoffice at cbi-nj.org

-----------------------------

Many of you are eager to write the next chapter of the life of CBI,
Millburn. Whether this is easy or challenging for you, I am here to help and
to enable you to reconnect or for you to stay connected to CBI.

Experts in institutional growth and development will often say that
institutions have different chapters of their stories. Building on a great
past, it seems now is the time to begin to write the next great chapter of
CBI's life.

I hope that some of my reflections can help you - no matter where you are in
your current relationship with CBI - to achieve this. 

Here goes

*	CBI has good people. I have met so many people who are genuine,
friendly, engagging folks.
*	CBI is a welcoming, warm community. People are able to engage with
others. There is a desire to meet new people, even if folks have been here
for many years.  There is a desire to welcome new faces to the community.  
*	CBI is a caring community. This is a BIGGIE. This means being there
for a shiva minyan, or welcoming a new baby into the community.
*	CBI is a learning community for adults and children.  The lifelong
learning team has a great past and is planning a productive and engaging
year. Please see the brochure when it comes out shortly.    
*	CBI believes in diversity. No, the shul today is not where we aspire
to be.  It is growing to be there. You are open to meeting people from
different backgrounds than your own and making them a part of this
community. 
*	CBI is committed to daily tefillah - prayer.  There is a daily
morning and evening minyan organized my very committed people. There is a
true sense of kavanah - spiritual engagement, at each of the minyanim. 
*	CBI throws a great kiddish. And we are always looking at ways to
enhance it.  It is great because some of you come to services and some JFK -
just for kiddish - stay and hangout and engage with each other. There is a
real sense of camaraderie. 
*	CBI is committed to Shabbat engagement with different types of
Friday night service and meals. From Musical Shabbat to Shir Shabbat to
sponsored dinners, there is positive engagement with Shabbat!
*	CBI has great positive volunteer leadership. I do not know where
they find the time to volunteer so many countless hours for the betterment
of CBI, but they do!
*	CBI has a great professional team. I get to work with competent,
creative and caring folks everyday!  

I want to share a story with you that is the highlight for me so far and
aptly describes what CBI is all about. Last Shabbat, after Kiddish, folks
gathered to discuss an issue of the day. [We had received an email on
Wednesday evening two weeks ago from the CEO and president of Federation. In
it, there were some strong words about President Trump's comments about Jews
and  People with different views.] After kiddish there were  some people who
did not know each other and yet they spent time together. Many folks were at
services; some just came for this session. We sat for 45 minutes and
listened to, and learned from each other.   

I share this story with you because it is my role to think of new ways to
engage with you, to share some Torah, to grow and to thrive!  This event JFL
- Just for Learning - demonstrates that you want to engage, learn and grow.
Let's do that. 

CBI is a good place because of each one of you.  Thank you for welcoming me.

Please let me know what you think of this letter -
<mailto:rabbiresnick at cbi-nj.org> rabbiresnick at cbi-nj.org  - and I look
forward to seeing you in shul and at MEGA SHABBAT on Friday, September 13th
or at one of my workshops to prepare for our time in shul together.

Rabbi Paul F. Resnick

  160 Millburn Avenue

  Millburn, NJ  07041

  Phn:   (973) 379-3811 

  Fax:    (973) 379-1941

   <http://www.cbi-nj.org/> www.cbi-nj.org

Be remembered forever by making a gift to the Congregation Bnai Israel
Legacy Circle

in your will, trust, life insurance policy or retirement plan.

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