Community Life at Temple Beth Israel

Much of TBI’s community life is organized by lay members of the congregation, who form committees and chavurot with a variety of focuses. They raise funds for students through the Sisterhood, teach and take part in community education classes, and work as volunteers in a number of different areas. Whatever your interests, there's a place for you to connect. Can't find a group? Contact our office at 541.485.7218.

The links on the left will take you to different pages with opportunities to get involved with TBI’s community life.

Are you interested in building community at TBI? Get in touch with the Community Connections Committee. We are members just like you who are excited about planning new opportunities for welcoming visitors, helping members get to know each other, and improving volunteer experiences at TBI.

Our latest big project was the Sukkot Cook-Out, organized in cooperation with the New Building Committee, the Interfaith Chavurah, the Friends and Family Chavurah, the TBI Board, and the rabbis. Click here to see pictures from the Sukkot Cookout.

Get Involved!

Below are suggestions for a few of the areas where current TBI members have found meaningful community involvement.

Education
Take a class from our Community Education offerings to expand your horizons, improve your Hebrew, or learn a new skill.

Committee Work
Have a passionate commitment to caring for the sick, honoring nature, or helping TBI create a beautiful new home? These are some of the projects in which TBI committees are currently involved. Check out the Committees page to read more details and contact committee members.

Chavurot
Are you looking for a small group of people with similar spiritual inclinations or family situations, with whom you can study, worship, and shmooze? Check out the Chavurot page, or contact the TBI Office to float ideas for forming new chavurot through an announcement…

Volunteering
Want to get a taste of different aspects of TBI? Every month brings new opportunities for volunteers in our community, many of which are short-term or one-time needs. Volunteering can be a great way to meet new members of the congregation while participating in important work that helps the TBI and Eugene-area communities. Call Shirley Shiffman, Volunteer Coordinator, in the TBI office at 541.485.7218.

TBI Sisterhood
Are you looking for connections with other TBI women? The Sisterhood meets once a month to chat, organize fundraisers, learn new skills together, and create community resources such as the Sisterhood cookbook.

Special Skills?
Do you have a special skill or knowledge which you would like to share to help TBI or our community members? If you don’t tell us, we won’t know! Call Nina in the TBI Office at 541.485.7218, to find out how your unique abilities are needed, or could be part of future TBI projects.

Big Events

While TBI offers a number of small events: classes, movies, volunteer opportunities, and more for different interests, we do love a big party! Every year we look forward to the Purim Shpiel - and this year's looks to be at least as silly as last year's.

Our Chanukah Fair is another great time to get together, sing songs, and share the magic of the Chanukah story.

Children and parents enjoying the music at the Chanukah Party.

Sisterhood in the News
On Wednesday, January 25th, the Sisterhood cookbook was featured in the Register Guard's "Entree" section. The secret is out! We make beautiful brunches. The link above will take you to the full article, including recipes for Michelle Saul's Chili Egg Puff Souffle, Diane Pergamit's Spinach, Pear, Walnut and Blue Cheese Salad With Raspberry Vinaigrette, and Ellen Maddex's Chocolate Filled Babka. Yummy!

Letter From Israel
The Chanukah Journey to Israel group had a great time! Catch up their travels by reading the letter they sent back...