GROUPS
Have you ever wondered how to get more involved in the congregation? Besides worship services and educational programs,
our synagogue offers a number of groups that are designed just for meeting other people. Here are the ones that are ongoing:
BOOK DISCUSSION
The Book Discussion Group meets approximately every 6 weeks to discuss a selected novel
or non-fiction book with Jewish content.
12 NOON – Bring your own lunch, coffee and tea here.
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2007
THE ATTACK
By Yasmina Khadra
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2007
DISOBEDIENCE
By Naomi Alderman
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 2007
NOT ME
By Michael Lavigne
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 2, 2008
PEONY
By Pearl Buck
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2008
POLISH WOMAN
By Eva Mekler
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BROTHERHOOD OF MEN AND WOMEN
The Brotherhood coordinates educational and social opportunities throughout the year. As a
service auxiliary of CMI, the mission is threefold: 1. Provide programs which
encourage congregant involvement in CMI (e.g., coffee shop and breakfasts); 2.
Support the congregation by providing volunteers for CMI events run by committees
other than Brotherhood (e.g., cooking & serving food at the MITYOR Purim
Carnival); and 3. Provide financial support (e.g,. fund a driver for the van
that brings seniors to Friday night services, provide campership &
scholarship money).
The CMI Brotherhood sponsors a “coffeehouse” in the Library each Sunday during the School
year. The Sunday morning Coffee Shop gives parents a place to gather while
their children are in Sunday School. The coffeehouse is in operation from 9:00
until 12:00 noon, except on days when the Brotherhood is sponsoring a breakfast
program. A sign under the portico announces when the coffeehouse is in
operation. The coffeehouse features coffee, tea, bagels, donuts and pastries.
Visitors to the coffeehouse can read copies of the Sunday papers and chat with
other visitors.
The Brotherhood sponsors breakfast programs several times throughout the year, which always provide
interesting speakers and food for thought. The Brotherhood joins with the
Social Action Committee to collaborate on our annual legislative breakfast in
October. Breakfasts are free; we encourage everyone to come.
The Brotherhood of Men and Women held its first annual Deli Nite in April, featuring typical New York Style
Deli foods - corned beef, pastrami, and turkey, on rye, of course, with
pickles and cream soda, and salads. Given the enormous success of the evening,
we will plan to make this an ongoing annual tradition.
Each year, the Mishkan Israel Brotherhood hosts an annual dinner and service at which it presents the
Brotherhood Award of Merit for outstanding service to the Temple. The
award dinner is followed by a Shabbat service at which the new Brotherhood
Board is installed.
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CARING COMMUNITY
The Caring Community plans and coordinates activities to assist members of the synagogue.
Typical activities include: providing rides to doctors’ appointments and services, making
friendly visits and calls, cooking meals, doing grocery shopping, leading shiva and other
services outside the synagogue.
We want to be part of the healing process. If you know someone in the hospital, who needs
a pastoral visit, or other form of assistance, we’re just a phone call away.
The Caring Community is not just for those who are in need of assistance. Our tradition
teaches us to live our lives through mitzvot…good deeds in order to repair ourselves and
in turn repair the world (tikkun olam). To keep our Community strong, we are always looking
for volunteers interested in performing mitzvot.
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SENIORS
CMI Seniors gather together the first Wednesday of the month at noon. The program begins with a
current events discussion presented by a local attorney, which traditionally is
followed by a musical program.
Upcoming sessions are scheduled for: September 5, October 3, November 7 and December 5. December is our annual
Chanukah luncheon at Maple Woods. Reservations are required.
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YOUNG PROFESSIONALS
The Young Professionals Group is geared for those in their mid-30s and younger. The YGP provides opportunities
for young adults to get together individually and as families to socialize, network and building meaningful relationships
with other CMI members. Events are held at the synagogue, members' homes, and locations around town. Examples of activities
might include: Shabbat dinners, Wine & Chocolate on Valentine's Day, Passover seder or end of Pesah pizza celebration,
Purim party, Torah and Tacos on Cinco de Mayo, July 4th party, Pizza in the Hut (sukkah), Chanukah party, movies and
theater outings, sporting events, social action projects, dinner on the town, and other social activities.
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YOUTH GROUPS
MIFSY is our newest youth group. Geared for 5th & 6th graders, MIFSY is designed to
promote Jewish learning through a variety of fun and exciting programs. The
group will meet once a month on Sundays during the School year, from 12:00 -
2:00 p.m. We'll begin the year with ice-breakers and team building activities.
Later programs will engage the entire family and celebrate the holidays with
food and song and creative work together. We'll also talk about Israel and
famous Jewish personalities. Our closing program will be an old-fashioned field
day and barbecue!
JYMI is our youth group for 7th and 8th graders. Each month, the group has a different event that
is planned. It is a great opportunity to meet and stay in touch with
"Jewish" peers. A typical schedule of events includes: Back-to-School
Bowling & Dinner; Shul-ins at CMI, Lunch & Prime Climb Trip; Afternoon
at the Movies; Laser Tag & Lunch; MITYOR Purim Carnival; Picnic at the
Park, and an End of Year Trip.
MITYOR is our youth group for those in grades 9 through 12. MITYOR is involved in social action projects,
educational, social and spiritual programs. Members have the opportunity to
attend conclavettes and shul-ins with other NFTY (Northeast Federation of
Temple Youth) groups. MITYOR's biggest and most fun project each year is
hosting the annual Purim Carnival. Our annual Iron Chef competition also is a
big hit.
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For more information, call the synagogue office at (203) 288-3877 or e-mail congregation@snet.net.