Welcome to
Congregation Beth Israel
Corpus Christi
Congregation Beth Israel is a A Union of Temple Beth El & B'nai Israel Synagogue. We are a Reform and Conservative Synagogue located in Corpus Christi, Texas.
Shabbat Service Schedule
Fridays: 6:30 pm
Saturdays: 9:00 am
Visitor Policy for Congregation Beth Israel
Visitors are always welcome at our services. To help us serve you better, we hope you will let us know in advance of your arrival and provide some basic information.
With today’s growing security concerns, we want both our congregants and guests to gather for prayer and celebration with peace of mind. By completing our Visitor Information Card online before your visit, you will also save time at the door by not having to fill out a card upon arrival.
Please CLICK HERE to share your information, or call our temple office Monday through Thursday, 9:00 am-4:00 pm and on Friday 9:00 am-3:00 pm.
Office Hours
Monday-Thursday: 9:00 am - 4:00 pm
Friday: 9:00 am - 3:00 pm
Saturday and Sunday: Closed
Past, Present, and Future - South Texas has committed itself to continuing a strong sense of Jewish pride and a dedication to upholding the Jewish faith and cultural traditions. We offer a variety of enrichment classes, social outreach programs and mitzvah opportunities. Generations of families and friends have helped make the Jewish community in Corpus Christi and its surrounding areas the stronghold it is today. Today's families enthusiastically welcome tomorrow's new members.
Rabbi Gabrielle Cohn
As we move through the months of April and May, our Jewish calendar invites us into a season of profound memory and meaning. We gather around our Passover tables to retell the story of liberation, and only weeks later, we stand again at Sinai on Shavuot, recalling the moment we received Torah and entered into sacred covenant. These are not only ancient stories; they are living frameworks that help us navigate the present.
This year, many in our community and in the broader Jewish world are carrying a heightened sense of vulnerability. The rise in antisemitism has not only appeared in headlines around the world; it has been felt in quieter, more personal ways: in conversations, in concerns about safety, in questions about belonging. Even when unspoken, that fear can weigh heavily.
Our tradition does not ignore fear. In fact, it names it directly. As the Israelites stand at the edge of the Sea of Reeds in the Passover story, with the unknown ahead and danger behind, they cry out. And in response, Moses says: “אַל־תִּירָאוּ, Al-tira’u. Do not be afraid. Stand firm, and witness…” (Exodus 14:13). This is not a dismissal of fear, but a reframing of it. Fear may be present, but it does not get the final word.
There is a powerful teaching in the Talmud: “Kol Yisrael arevim zeh bazeh”—all of Israel is responsible for one another (Shevuot 39a). In moments like these, this teaching becomes more than an idea; it becomes a call to action. We check in on one another. We show up. We create spaces where people feel seen, safe, and supported. Community itself becomes a form of spiritual resistance.
Passover reminds us that oppression is not the end of the story. Shavuot reminds us that our response to liberation is not isolation, but covenant, standing together, committing ourselves to a shared set of values rooted in justice, dignity, and sacred responsibility.
We are not the first generation to live through moments of uncertainty, nor the first to wrestle with what it means to be visibly and proudly Jewish in the world. And yet, we are also heirs to a tradition of resilience, wisdom, and deep connection.
In the weeks ahead, may we draw strength from one another and from the rituals that ground us. May our seders be filled not only with remembrance, but with renewed courage. And when we arrive at Sinai once more, may we hear the call of Torah as an invitation to stand together with clarity, with compassion, and with hope.
If you are feeling unsettled or alone in this moment, please know that you are not alone. Our community is here for conversation, for support, and for connection. If you wish to meet with me around this or anything else, please do not hesitate to reach out by calling the office or emailing me.
Wishing you a meaningful Passover, a joyful journey toward Shavuot, and days ahead filled with strength and peace,
L’shalom,
Rabbi Cohn
rabbigabriellecohn@bethisraelcc.com
Sue Williams, Congregation Beth Israel President
February and March have been full and meaningful months at Congregation Beth Israel. We celebrated Purim together, enjoyed a beautiful Shabbat Shirah weekend with Cantor O’Desky and Eliza Williams, observed Sisterhood Shabbat, and were grateful to see several members participate in lay-led services. I hope others will feel encouraged to step forward as well—this is one of the ways we continue to grow stronger as a congregation.
Rabbi Cohn and I also had the honor of attending the Blessing of the Wings for LTJG Skyler Schork at NAS Corpus Christi, who has been worshipping with us during her training. At the same time, we mourned the loss of our dear members, Richard Holliday z”l and Annette Klein z”l. May their memory be a blessing.
Behind the scenes, we are nearing completion of the security upgrades from our first FEMA grant and preparing for the next phase under our second grant application. These efforts reflect the reality that Jewish communities must remain vigilant while continuing to move forward with strength and purpose.
As we look ahead to Passover, Yom HaShoah, our annual blood drive, and end-of-school-year activities, I remind you that the new fiscal year begins in June. Sustaining our programs and maintaining our facilities will depend on your thoughtful, timely, and reliable financial support. I note that many dues pledges have remained unchanged over time, even as expenses (particularly for security, utilities, and maintenance) have continued to rise. This gap between increasing costs and declining revenue has required us to begin drawing on savings and endowment interest in recent years. This is not sustainable long term.
While fundraisers such as Sisterhood’s highly successful Jewish Food Festival each year and your many volunteer hours are important and appreciated, they cannot carry the full weight of our operating needs. A budget committee is now planning for the coming year based on anticipated revenue so the Dues Committee will be reaching out soon. I encourage each of you to take a fresh look at your annual dues pledge. If you are not currently a member in good standing, or if you are a frequent visitor who enjoys our services and activities, you will always be welcome. However please consider providing financial support to the community that is here to support you, so we can be here when you need us.
L’Shalom,
Sue
2025-2026
CBI Officers
and Trustees
OFFICERS
President
Sue Williams
1st Vice-President
David Prewitt
2nd Vice-President
Dr. Gary Blum
Secretary
Jerri Osberg
Treasurer
David Loeb
Past President
David Krams
Sisterhood Co-Presidents
Leslie Levy & Fifi Kieschnick
TRUSTEES
Venita Crow
Joe Gazin
Josh Mintz
Elizabeth Susser
Jordan Hans
Fifi Kieschnick
Robert Schmitchel
Dr. Bryan Stone
Robert Schmitchel
Chris Adler
Leslie Levy
Suzy Hilliard
Phyllis Roseman
Sisterhood Organization
Sisterhood offers an opportunity for women to find spiritual, educational and friendship bonds within the congregation. For Sisterhood membership form, click here.
A tradition for over 30 years, the Sisterhood Organization's Annual Fundraiser serves delicious meals of Jewish Delicacies plus a sweet shop. This event usually takes place second weekend of November. CLICK HERE for more information.