September: It was great having the Days of Awe in our own building, “in the round,” as our own members and band joined me in leading services.

and October: Thanks to a grant from the Jewish Federation of the Greater Sacramento Region and to the work of CBI volunteers, many families built their own sukkot.

November & onward , new this year: Two adult B’nai Torah! Plus our newsletter, website, and congregational emails all get stylish updates. Meditation at many Shabbat morning services and with Sisterhood. And the PJ Library—free Jewish books for kids!

December: Silent Auction…Singer Cindy Paley was our STAR “Head, Heart & Hand” guest for a fantastic Shabbat and lively congregational Hanukkah party for all ages!

January: Baby naming and family Torah service. Sisterhood Shabbat, always special.

February: The sanctuary was packed for our Tu Bishvat Seder and Shabbat Shirah. Consul Ishmael Khaldi spoke another night, one of several interesting “Shabbat Scholars.” We received another Community Development Grant from the Jewish Federation to “Turn Friday Night Into Shabbat,” and had a family education program.

March: Our catered Shabbat Dinner, subsidized by our grant, was a “surprising” success J. Purim was a blast! Religious School kids led a great family Torah service.

April: Our community Seder was particularly well attended and engaging for all ages. Yom Hashoah featured the son of Partisans and a moving tribute to rescuer Bert Schapelhouman. CBI Relgious School honored by the Mayor for Pennies for Peace.”

May: Natan Sharansky spoke at Chico State! Plus: Bagel Brunch, a Bat Mitzvah, and our fourth Confirmation service on Shavuot. Finally, Grammy-winning cantor Doug Cotler gave a fabulous concert, with our band, sponsored by the new Hilton Fund.

June: I began STAR’s “Good to Great” professional development program. We welcome our newest Jews-by-Choice. Wow! Sacramento businessman D. Bruce Fite and wife Darlyne made a generous $50,000 contribution to the CBI building fund as a matching grant to help us in the purchase of land for a future new congregational home.

On a personal note…This year I learned the power of community as all of you helped me through the loss of my dear Mother, and cheered me on through my Doctoral Defense and getting my Ph.D. Thank you for all of your support and kindness.

Rabbi Julie Hilton Danan