This past Sunday, March 3, over 100 congregants welcomed Rabbi Daniel Schaefer home to CMI! Rabbi Schaefer addressed the Special Congregational Meeting before they voted to affirm the Board's decision to hire him - and the vote was unanimous!
Read MoreOn behalf of the Board of Trustees of Congregation Mishkan IsraeI, I am delighted to share with you that Rabbi Daniel Schaefer has accepted our offer to be the next spiritual leader of CMI starting July 1.
Read MoreThe CMI Chesed Team is a group of congregants working with Rabbi Ross to help individuals and families in our congregation.
Read MoreWe are pleased to announce that CMI has hired a wonderful new director for the Mishkan Israel Nursery School and Daycare. Please join us in welcoming Jennifer Verrier to lead the MINS team
Read MorePaul Bass of the New Haven Independent spoke with Rabbi Immerman about the events in Colleyville, Tex. and what synagogues need to be thinking about in today’s climate.
Read MoreWith over 15 years of experience as an effective leader, mentor and partner to the board, clergy, staff, and congregation, Steve will be an outstanding addition to our CMI professional team.
We are grateful that yesterday's horrific incident at Congregation Beth Israel concluded with no physical harm to those involved and we continue to pray for r'fuah shleima, complete healing of mind, body and spirit, for everyone affected. Please know that Rabbi Immerman is always available for pastoral counseling.
These situations invite us to reflect on our own safety and security. At CMI, we are fortunate to have established strong working relationships with our local and national law enforcement leaders. The security of our synagogue building is a priority and both the Hamden Police and FBI regularly evaluate our procedures and building. In December, CMI was the first local Jewish congregation to invite the new Secure Community Network’s regional security advisor to the Jewish Federation of Greater New Haven, Michael Shanbrom, to visit our facilities.
With a heavy heart we are watching the unfolding hostage situation at Congregation Beth Israel, in Colleyville TX. Their Shabbat morning worship today was interrupted by an individual who has taken four people hostage, including Rabbi Charlie Cytron-Walker. Fortunately one of those hostages was recently released.
We pray for the safety of the rabbi and those held hostage, the first responders, and entire community of Congregation Beth Israel.
While we will always pray for miracles, such as oil lasting longer than it should, the lesson from Chanukah is that we don’t need to wait for a miracle to occur, we can create miracles for ourselves and others. If we work hard, our collective light will last forever. May we all find courage, comfort, health and hope on our journey together.
Read MoreThis year, as with all other Jewish festivals, Hanukkah appears early on our secular calendar. Just as we conclude the Thanksgiving holiday weekend, we begin to kindle the first Hanukkah lights. Although the winter solstice is nearly a month away, the shortened periods of daylight have already descended. The radiance of glowing candles in the menorah offers a welcome break from the shadows of evening that have come to shorten our day too soon.
Read More
