Congregation B’Nai Israel’s 23rd Annual Lori Sklar Mitzvah Day
Congregation B’nai Israel (CBI) Boca Raton’s 23rd annual Lori Sklar Mitzvah Day, held on February 28, included an action-packed schedule filled with opportunities for hundreds of Congregation members to perform good deeds. New this year was a “feed the hungry” barbeque at Ebenezer Missionary Baptist Church, which was sponsored by B’nai Israel’s Kantor Family Center for Justice and Ebenezer Missionary Baptist Church.
“I am so excited about the turnout and the variety of social action events that CBI accomplished last Sunday” said Steve Allen, Executive Director of CBI. “Between the Embrace race where we won the award for largest delegation, Gleaning in Boynton Beach, and the BBQ where we fed hundreds of people at Ebenezer Missionary Baptist Church, we truly made a difference in the community. We can’t wait until next year as the “congregation with a conscience” continues to make its mark in the community.”
Barbecue sponsors included VIP Caterers, Subway, the Sidewalk Chef, Boca’s Best BBQ Smokehouse, Publix, and Singin’ With Susan.
This was the 32nd year that CBI has partnered with Ebenezer Baptist Church. The two congregations join together annually for Martin Luther King Day, when the two congregation’s choirs sing together during a joint worship service. CBI and Ebenezer partner at Thanksgiving as well, to feed several thousand hungry people.
Other Mitzvah Day opportunities included participating in the Stand Among Friends emb(race) Our Differences. The sixth annual emb(race), which was held at FAU, brought together people with and without disabilities for a morning of racing, walking and fun. CBI had 120 congregants register and won the award for the second year in a row for the largest team.
In addition, B’nai Israel congregants gleaned with CROS Ministries, picking produce from local farm fields that had been left behind after commercial harvesting, which was then distributed to local food agencies that feed the hungry.
CBI also collected 1,000 pounds of clothing, food, toiletries, and pet supplies for local food banks and shelters.
Congregation B’nai Israel will continue to offer opportunities for their congregants to perform acts of human kindness each month as part of their new Lori Sklar Monthly Mitzvah Project, with activities scheduled on April 3rd and May 1st. For more information, visit cbiboca.org (website) or call 561-241-8118.
