The CMI Bulletin
More than a place - We’re a community
SERIES 110 No. 5
JANUARY 2026
JANUARY FEBRUARY
Isidor E. Offenbach Musical Service Friday, January 9 5:30 - 6:30 p.m. - Niggun Circle (communal, spiritual gathering where people sing nigunim - wordless, soulful melodies) 6:30 - 7:00 p.m. - Oneg 7:00 p.m. - Shabbat Services
We are excited to welcome Rabbi Deborah Sacks Mintz to lead this year's special musical Shabbat service in memory of Isidor E. Offenbach. Rabbi Sacks Mintz supports those who seek a deepened practice of empowered prayer and song. A celebrated composer, vocalist, and multi-instrumentalist, Deborah has collaborated on over two dozen albums with a diverse array of voices in the Jewish soundscape, including her own records of original spiritual music: The Narrow and the Expanse (2020) Yetzira (2023) and her forthcoming third album Songs from the Beit Midrash - due for release in February 2026.
Annual Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Interfaith Service Friday, January 16 7:00 - Service 8:00 p.m. - Special dessert oneg
Everyone from the Greater New Haven faith community is invited for our Annual Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Interfaith Service in person and online Faith leaders from the Jewish, Christian, Muslim, Hindu, Bahai, and Unitarian traditions will join Rabbi Schaefer and Cantor Fox to lead our engergizing and inspiring service honoring Dr. King’s legacy.
Guest Performers: Yale Gospel Choir
Founded in 1973 under the Afro-American Cultural Center, the Yale Gospel Choir is a student run ministry dedicated to engaging in worship through song. With 40 members this year, including indergraduate and graduate students, YGC performs across campus, in local places of worship, community spaces and abroad on their annual Spring Tour.
To view a list of all worship services for January & February, please click the button.
MAZEL TOV TO OUR JANUARY B’NEI MITZVAH
Bar Mitzvah of Jonah Alderman Saturday, January 24 at 10:30 a.m.
In person & livestream
Mazel Tov to Jonah and his family as we celebrate him becoming a Bar Mitzvah!
Services are open to all in the community.
Jonah will be reading from Parashat Bo.
JANUARY CLOSINGS Thursday, January 1 - CMI office is closed
Hebrew School and Religious School are on winter break. Religious School will NOT meet again until Sunday, January 11.
Hebrew School will NOT meet again until Tuesday, January 13.
CMI EVENTS - JANUARY
Women’s Shabbaton
Saturday, January 10, from 10:00 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. Hosted by the CMI Rosh Chodesh Circle
Channeling Your Inner Midwife: Courage, Poetry, and Spiritual Growth
In three sessions facilitated by poet and Rabbi Pamela Wax*, we will use the metaphor of “midwife” to reflect on our lives through the lenses of courage, creativity, and spiritual growth.
The day will include:
· Torah study with Rabbi Schaefer (optional before Shabbaton begins)
· Light breakfast and introductions starting at 10:00 AM
· Text Study with Rabbi Wax
· Lunch (vegetarian; our kitchen is not Kosher certified)
· Poetry and gentle moving meditation with Rabbi Wax
· Discussion of transitions and lifecycles in relation to our own lives
· Song Session with Cantor Fox
· Havdallah service
WE ASK THAT YOU PLAN TO STAY FOR THE ENTIRE DAY!
*Rabbi Pamela Wax is the author of two poetry collections Walking the Labyrinth (Main Street Rag, 2022), Starter Mothers (Finishing Line Press, 2023), and the forthcoming Every Single Beast of My Heart (Sheila-Na-Gig, 2026). Her poems, published in over 60 literary journals, have received three Best of the Net nominations and several awards. Ordained by Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion in 1994, Pam works as the Director of Adult Education and Programming at Congregation Knesset Israel in Pittsfield, MA. She has previously served as a pulpit rabbi, a hospital chaplain, the assistant director of adult education for the Reform movement, and for 19 years as the staff rabbi at a social service agency in White Plains, NY where she offered pastoral counseling and ran a spiritual healing center. She travels widely to teach spirituality and poetry workshops, in addition to online offerings. She lives in North Adams, Massachusetts with her husband Chaim Bronstein.
Click here for more detailed workshop descriptions and a full bio for Rabbi Wax
This event is supported in part by a grant from the Jewish Foundation of Greater New Haven “Women of Vision” Society & the CMI Adult Education Fund.
We ask for your donation to help us to continue to offer programming yearlong
Suggested donation of $18 (includes light breakfast, lunch, snacks)____
Additional donation (above $18) in any amount (helps support others who cannot pay and/or future programming) _____
I cannot pay $18, but can offer (any amount is fine, but we ask that you contribute something) ________
**NOTE THAT CAPACITY IS LIMITED TO JUST 40 PARTICIPANTS FOR THIS INTIMATE GATHERING. REGISTER SOON TO ENSURE A PLACE IN THE CIRCLE.**
Shabbat Schmooze SORRY - WE HAD TO CANCEL
Join us on the second Saturday of each month for a potluck oneg with games, arts & crafts, and of course plenty of space to schmooze. This event is for all ages and life stages. So, whether your game of choice is Candy Land or Mahjong, we hope to see you there!
The Meeting the Moment Series returns for 2026. The CMI Brotherhood of Men and Women is pleased to announce that the 2026 series is made possible through the collaboration of CMI, Congregation B'nai Jacob, the Jewish Historical Society, Congregation Or Shalom, and Temple Beth Sholom. The topics for the sessions were selected by a focus group of participants in last year's program.
Join us for Meeting the Moment 2026, a four-part lecture and conversation series that explores American Jewish history, storytelling, and lived experience to help the community grapple with identity, polarization, antisemitism, Israel, and belonging during a challenging moment in Jewish life.
Light refreshments will be available | Sessions start at 9:30 a.m.
Full Series: $36 | Individual Sessions: $18
Covers admission for up to 2 household members
You can read more about these and the two additional sessions scheduled in March by visiting the CMI website calendar.
Chevra Hands (Quilting group) Sunday, January 11 at 10:00 a.m.
Join a group of fun-loving congregants who enjoy each other’s company each month as we create together. Chevra Hands lovingly makes baby quilts and lap blankets that are given to members with new babies or to those in need of comfort. We meet just once a month and no prior skills are necessary. Of course, sense of humor is an asset. For more information, please contact Susan Millen or Lina Lawall. We meet in the lounge and we hope to see you there.
CMI Book Club Wednesday, January 14 at 12:00 p.m.
This month, we will discuss the novel “Songs for the Brokenhearted” by Yemeni-Israeli Ayelet Tsabari. A young Yemeni Israeli woman learns of her mother’s secret romance in a dramatic journey through lost family stories, revealing the unbreakable bond between a mother and a daughter—the debut novel of an award-winning literary voice.
“A gorgeous, gripping novel filled with unforgettable characters.”—Elizabeth Graver, author of Kantika
WINNER OF THE NATIONAL JEWISH BOOK AWARD’S JJ GREENBERG MEMORIAL AWARD
THE BROTHERHOOD OF MEN & WOMEN INVITES YOU TO AN AFTERNOON AT THE MOVIES!!!
SUNDAY, JANUARY 25 AT 2:00 PM
The Brotherhood of Men and Women invite you to go to the movies! The first movie will be the fabulous, YENTL starring Barbara Streisand who also directed the movie. Also starring in Yentl are the talented Mandy Patinkin and Amy Irving. The premise of the movie involves a Jewish girl who disguises herself as a boy to enter religious training. However, complications ensue. Winner of six Oscars, including best supporting actress for Amy Irving and for best music as well as a Golden Globe for directing to Barbara Streisand, this is a must see! Doors open at 1:30. There will be coffee and cookies and there is no charge! For security purposes, please RSVP.
Tot Shabbat - In person only
Friday, January 30, at 5:30 p.m. (No Oneg)
Bring your little ones to our special Tot Shabbat service which focuses on music and movement through fun songs and prayers. Parents and tots will dance, sing, and have special moments together.
We also invite you to stay for a family dinner at 6:00 p.m. Please RSVP so we can provide enough dinner for all to enjoy!
Shabbat Community Dinner & Service (No Oneg)
Friday, January 30 Dinner at 6:00 p.m. Service follows immediately after dinner
Join us as we celebrate Shabbat together! We will begin the evening with a lovely Family dinner followed by our Family Shabbat Service with the 7th & 8th Grades participating.
Enjoy a tasty Shabbat dinner with your family at CMI courtesy of our members and prepared in our congregational kitchen. The dinner will follow Tot Shabbat and precede the Famly Service. Please RSVP by Friday, January 23 so we can plan for the right number of people.
There is no charge, but there is a suggested donation of $18 per family, or you can consider being a dinner sponsor at $90, $180, or $360 to help cover the cost of the meal. Sponsorship donors will be acknowledged from the bimah.
The Ritual Committee is organizing this member-prepared meal.
FEBRUARY CLOSING
Religious School will NOT meet on Sunday, February 15.
CMI EVENTS - FEBRUARY
Chevra Hands (Quilting group) Sunday, February 1 at 10:00 a.m.
Join a group of fun-loving congregants who enjoy each other’s company each month as we create together. Chevra Hands lovingly makes baby quilts and lap blankets that are given to members with new babies or to those in need of comfort. We meet just once a month and no prior skills are necessary. Of course, sense of humor is an asset. For more information, please contact Susan Millen or Lina Lawall. We meet in the lounge and we hope to see you there.
Refugee Shabbat Service Friday, February 6 at 6:00 p.m., oneg at 7:00 p.m.
Please join us for the Refugee Shabbat. We will hear words from several of the families that JCARR has sponsored, as well as important information about how our organization is continuing its work of supporting the stranger in a challenging era. Music and readings will inspire us and the oneg will feature sweet and savory items from several refugee chefs.
Rosh Chodesh - Adar Wednesday, February 18 at 7:00 p.m.
Rosh Chodesh, Hebrew for “head of the month” is the monthly holiday that celebrates the arrival of the new moon, marking the start of a new month in the Jewish calendar. In biblical times, Rosh Chodesh was a day of festive meals and refraining from doing business. Later, it became a special holiday for women.
CMI’s intergenerational group provides for female identifying and non-binary individuals thirteen and older a place to meet, form bonds, find meaningful ways to worship and contribute to our community through discussion, song, poetry, storytelling, art, dance, and even food. Programs are themed, based on the interests of group members.
Stay tuned to the weekly E-News and come back to check here for details on the February gathering.
Tot Shabbat Friday, February 20 at 5:30 p.m.( No oneg)
Bring your little ones to our special Tot Shabbat service which focuses on music and movement through fun songs and prayers. Parents and tots will dance, sing, and have special moments together.
We also invite you to stay for a family dinner at 6:00 p.m. Please RSVP so we can provide enough dinner for all to enjoy!
Shabbat Community Dinner & Service (No Oneg)
Friday, February 20 Dinner at 6:00 p.m. Service follows immediately after dinner
Join us as we celebrate Shabbat together! We will begin the evening with a lovely Family dinner followed by our Family Shabbat Service with the Junior Choir & Klezmer musicians participating.
Enjoy a tasty Shabbat dinner with your family at CMI courtesy of Across Our Table catering. The dinner will follow Tot Shabbat and precede the Famly Service. Please RSVP by Friday, February 13 so we can plan for the right number of people.
Consider being a dinner sponsor at $90, $180, or $360 to help cover the cost of the meal. Sponsorship donors will be acknowledged from the bimah.
Torah Study - In Person or on Zoom (no password needed) Saturdays at 9:00 a.m. January 3, 10, 17, 24, 31 February 7, 14, 21, 28
Judaism: New Interpretations of Old Ideas Led by Rabbi Steinberg Sundays (when Religious School meets) at 11:00 a.m. January 11, 25 February 1, 8, 22
MESSAGE FROM RABBI SCHAEFER
Happy New Year from the Holy Land! I am celebrating the transition into 2026 on a trip to Israel with a group of early career Reform Rabbis through the Amplify Israel Rabbinic Fellowship. January 1st will be the third day of our trip meeting with members of Knesset, non-profit leaders, and touring kibbutzim and other sites devastated on October 7th and during the war.
CLICK HERE TO READ THE COMPLETE MESSAGE FROM RABBI SCHAEFER.
MESSAGE FROM ALAN STURTZ
Happy New Year! 2025 has ended and we are looking forward to a wonderful 2026. As of December 15, membership stands at 408—easily within reach of the 415 goal I set in my Rosh Hashanah message. We have had an extremely eventful first six months and we are looking forward to an exciting second half.
CLICK HERE TO READ THE COMPLETE MESSAGE FROM PRESIDENT, ALAN STURTZ.
MESSAGE FROM JODY DIETCH
A Busy Six Months!
Time flies as they say and my first six months here at CMI have been busy and flew by in what seems like no time at all!
It has been great getting to know everyone and learning all about CMI. Fun fact about me. My dad, Noel Barstein, was a member here as a child and had his Bar Mitzvah here in 1947. His confirmation class photo hangs on the wall just outside my office. This is especially meaningful since he passed away two years ago.
CLICK HERE TO READ THE COMPLETE MESSAGE FROM EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, JODY DIETCH.
EASY NEW WAYS TO SUPPORT CMI
We have an incredible new opportunity to support CMI without spending a single extra dollar. It's called RaiseRight, and it's a game-changer for passive fundraising!
What is RaiseRight?
RaiseRight is a program that lets you earn money for our synagogue just by buying gift cards for the things you're already purchasing—like groceries, gas, clothing, gifts, dining out, and even travel.
CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE FULL EXPLANATION OF THIS PROGRAM AND HOW YOU CAN PURCHASE YOUR CARDS
SUPERBOWL POOL - WIN BIG!!!
A new fundraiser for Brotherhood of Men & Women that’s SUPER FUN! It’s a Super Bowl Pool! The pot is $2000 with Brotherhood raising $1000 and those pledging sharing the other $1000. Payouts are listed on the grid.
What is it? A Super Bowl squares pool is a simple game of chance using a 10x10 grid where participants can win if their square matches the final digit of each team's score at designated times during the game.
CLICK HERE TO GET ALL THE DETAILS AND YOU COULD WIN THE BIG PAYOUT!!!!!!!
FEATURED GROUPS
CHEVRA HANDS
Chevra Hands is now in our 13th year of creating quilts for the newborn members of our congregation and those who would enjoy comfort from our community. Many babies have enjoyed their quilts almost as much as we have enjoyed making them. Chevra Hands meets monthly to work on the quilts. Members can choose what they would like to do…cut, design, sew, iron, pin or just join in with laughter and companionship. No special skills are necessary except a sense of humor and a willingness to join in. Working together, creating with our hands, and knowing we are sharing with our community has been rewarding. The group has been a good way for new members to get to know others in a small warm group. We invite you to stop by on a Sunday morning when we are meeting. Check the CMI calendar for future meeting dates.
For more information, contact Sue Millen at smillen179@sbcglobal.net or Lina Lawall at lalawall250@gmail.com.
BROTHERHOOD OF MEN & WOMEN
Grab your popcorn! The Brotherhood of Men and Women of Congregation Mishkan Israel is planning a movie series for the coming Winter and Spring. We are hoping to have one Jewish themed movie on Sunday afternoons per month. Movies under consideration include well-known films such as “Hester Street” (about assimilation in early 20th century) and “Crossing Delancy” (a classic rom-com) as well as more modern ones such as “Where Life Begins” (2023) about resolving the conflicting needs of self-interest and obligations to family and tradition. We are still in the planning phases, so stay tuned. One option we are considering is having a concurrent film for children so that parents can stay after religious school. Please let me know your thoughts.
Meanwhile, we encourage you to visit our coffee shop on Sunday mornings during religious school. Proceeds go to the religious school. Planning is also ongoing for further events in the Meeting the Moment series, as well as future outside speakers.
We are also always open to any volunteers to help with set up and clean up on Sunday mornings or at any of our scheduled events. If you would like to help, please email me at brotherhood@cmihamden.org.
I hope to see you soon!
Rob Homer
President, Brotherhood of Men & Women
RITUAL COMMITTEE
On November 21, the CMI Ritual Committee hosted its most successful Congregational Shabbat dinner to date, with over 130 members and guests enjoying a delicious Shabbat dinner together! The Committee would especially like to thank those members who volunteered their time to prepare, cook, and clean up.
Rebecca Van Tassel, Josh Groffman & family, Amy Brin, Sarah Miller, Stephen Harris, Michael Dimenstein, Hedda Rubenstein, Jonathan Zabin, Patricia Vener-Saavedra and Lead Volunteer/Organizer, Allison Glassman & family.
Our next Ritual Committee Congregational Shabbat Dinner will be on January 30, which you can register for now.
We will be looking for volunteers once again and hope to see many of you at the dinner!
2025-2026 DONATIONS
CHAI HOLY DAY CAMPAIGN
To view the list of Chai Holy Day Donors, please click the button below.
RECENT DONATIONS
To view the list of recent donations please click the button below.
YAHRZEITS
January Yahrzeit Lists
To view the lists of January Yahrzeits, click the button.
February Yahrzeit Lists
To view the lists of February Yahrzeits, click the button.
IN SYMPATHY
Bob Frank (Raffaella) on the loss of his mother, Wilma Frank.
January Shabbat & B’Mitzvah Services
Join your CMI community for Shabbat Services each Friday evening and Saturday mornings when we have a B’Mitzvah to celebrate!
To view the full schedule of services, please click HERE.
TODAH RABAH
Ivey Cooley, Michael Dimenstein, Sarah Greenblatt, Phil Jacobs, Karen Kimball, Dave Rodnick, Hedda Rubenstein and Richard & Marie Shaw
JANUARY GREETERS
FEBRUARY GREETERS
Sarah Greenblatt, Karen Kimball, Richard & Marie Shaw and Cliff & True Wolff
Thank you to our advertisers for their support
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Contact Us
THE CONGREGATION MISHKAN ISRAEL BULLETIN
January-February 2026 Series 110 No. 5
THE CONGREGATION MISHKAN ISRAEL
785 Ridge Road, Hamden, CT 06517
Phone: (203) 288-3877 Fax: (203) 248-2148
http://cmihamden.org
Rabbi Daniel Schaefer x236 dschaefer@cmihamden.org
Rabbi Emeritus Herbert N. Brockman, Ph.D. D.D. x238 cmirabbi@cmihamden.org
Cantor Sierra Fox x244 sfox@cmihamden.org
Jody Dietch, Executive Director x241 jdietch@cmihamden.org
Michelle Goldstein, Religious School Director x237 mgoldstein@cmihamden.org
Jennifer Verrier, Early Learning Director x246 jverrier@cmihamden.org
Alan Sturtz, President president@cmihamden.org