Congregation B’nai Israel (CBI) is an egalitarian, Conservative synagogue serving the needs of the diverse, Jewish community of Pinellas County with the distinction of offering the only twice-daily Conservative minyan on Florida’s west coast. The story of Congregation B’nai Israel (CBI) began in 1923 when twelve Jewish families met for services in a rented store in St Petersburg, Florida with Hyman Jacobs serving as first congregation president. Since that time, CBI has grown to over 300 family units spanning four generations. CBI provides the opportunity to experience Jewish life to its fullest through dedication to community, lifelong learning and maintaining an engaging schedule of year-round activities and events.
CBI Mitzvah Men’s Club President Cary S. Reich has a full calendar of Mitzvah Men’s Clubs programs and events planned during 2025, beginning on January 19, 2025 when the Mitzvah Men’s Club hosted a special Steak and Scotch program. A splendid time was had by one and all in attendance. On Superbowl Sunday February 9, 2025 the Congregation B’nai Israel Mitzvah Men’s Club took part in the FJMC World Wide Wrap, an international, coordinated minyan encouraging Jewish men and women to learn about and participate in one of the basic commandments in the Torah: the wrapping of tefillin. There is a saying that March comes in like a lion and out like a lamb. On March 2, 2025 the CBI Mitzvah Men’s Club hosted a delicious paid-up membership breakfast.
Looking ahead, on Tuesday, March 11, 2025 at 7:15 pm, the Congregation B’nai Israel Brotherhood and the Congregation Beth Shalom Brotherhood will jointly present “Brotherhood Brewery Night” on Tuesday, March 11, 7:15 pm at the Rapp Brewing Company in Seminole Florida. CBI Brotherhood President Cary S. Reich and CBS Brotherhood President David Sadowsky invite all Brotherhood members for evening of cold beer, hot pizza and engaging stories from Brotherhood members who have recently visited Israel. Donations to cover the costs of food are always welcome. Register for CBS & CBI Brotherhood Brewery Night at: https://www.cbsclearwater.org/event/brewerymarch11.
Save the dates to set sail on a four night Western Caribbean Cruise sailing from Tampa, Florida to Cozumel, Mexico on the Enchantment of the Seas, March 20 to 24, 2025. Join us for Shabbat at Sea. Enjoy a tropical vacation with your CBI family. Invite your relatives to join us during Pinellas County for Spring Break. Friday night we will gather for Kabbalat Shabbat and a joyful dinner. Saturday morning we will offer Shabbat morning services. We hope all will join us Friday night, but this is your vacation! Chart your own course or hang out with our crew. Enjoy the magic of Shabbat AND Royal Caribbean! Prices start at $489/pp inside or $528/pp ocean view with Junior Suites from $977pp. For more information please call Congregation B’nai Israel at (727) 381-4900.
During April 2025 the Mitzvah Men’s Club will host its annual Mitzvah Men’s Club Shabbat and congregational Mitzvah Men’s Club Passover BBQ; more information coming soon.
As time marches forward, it is our task to remember and teach about the Shoah. Each year, the B’nai Israel Mitzvah Men’s Club distributes FJMC Shoah Yellow Candles™ to our B’nai Israel family members. On the night of Yom HaShoah, the candles are lit to shine a light of memory, a light of education, and a light that we will never forget. By participating in this program, you are helping to keep the memory of the Shoah alive and to remember what could happen if we don’t stand up for ourselves. Yom HaShoah begins at sundown Wednesday April 23, 2025 / 27 Nisan 5785. Please join us in a moment of solidarity for our six million brothers and sisters that were lost in the Shoah.
Looking ahead, save the dates: Thursday July 3 to Sunday July 6, 2025 to be part of the B’nai Israel Mitzvah Men’s Club / Florida Region FJMC delegation to attend the 2025 FJMC International Biennial Convention in Chicago !! For more information about 2025 FJMC International Convention and to register, visit: https://convention.fjmc.org/2025-chicago/.
The CBI Mitzvah Men’s Club Board meets monthly – be a Mensch and email incoming 5785 Mitzvah Men’s Club President Cary S. Reich at carysreich@gmail.com to say that you want to become part of the future of the Mitzvah Men’s Club of St. Petersburg, Florida.
Incoming 5785 Mitzvah Men’s Club President Cary S. Reich and immediate past president Eric Pastman invite you to learn about the CBI Mitzvah Men’s Club of St. Petersburg at https://www.cbistpete.org/home/programming/mitzvah-mens-club/ and on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/cbicommunications. For more information about the Mitzvah Men’s Club, please email Cary S. Reich at carysreich@gmail.com or info@cbistpete.org with the subject line MITZVAH MEN’S CLUB INQUIRY.
The Congregation B’nai Israel Mitzvah Men’s Club of St. Petersburg, Florida is a proud member of the Florida Region of the Federation of Jewish Men’s Clubs (FJMC). We serve the needs of affiliated Men’s Clubs and Brotherhoods throughout the State of Florida. Learn more about the FJMC Florida Region and our growing network of Jewish Men’s Clubs and Brotherhoods at: www.floridaregionfjmc.org and please visit & LIKE our Facebook Group at: www.facebook.com/FloridaRegionFJMC.
The FJMC is a confederation of over 200 Jewish Men’s Clubs and Brotherhoods representing over 20,000 members across the United States, Canada, Latin America, and beyond. Learn how YOUR Jewish Men’s Club or Brotherhood can affiliate with the FJMC at: https://fjmc.org/for-clubs/affiliating-with-the-fjmc/.
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