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Who we are

Mission

Our mission is to provide our members with opportunities to experience Jewish life to the fullest through meaningful worship, study, life-cycle events, acts of caring, and connections to the wider Jewish Community and Israel. We are committed to passing on the ideals of Conservative Judaism to future generations.

Mission

Are You New Here? Welcome to CBI!

Philip

Meet Our Rabbi

Philip Weintraub

Delighted to meet in person, talk over the phone at 727.381.4900, or touch base via email.

Rabbi Weintraub enjoys getting to know each person – ideally in an informal setting.

For more about Rabbi Weintraub, click here.

Rabbi Weintraub brings a very diverse skill set to our Kehillah. He is a Summa Cum Laude graduate of Brandeis University with a Bachelor’s degree in Near Eastern and Judaic Studies. He received his rabbinic ordination and Masters degree from the Jewish Theological Seminary (JTS) in 2011 with a concentration in pastoral care. After graduating from Brandeis he served three years as Mashgiach at the JTS, supervising cafeteria in the observance of Kashrut.
Recently having achieved board certification as a Chaplain, of Neshama: Association of Jewish Chaplains, he prides himself on his relationships working across generations. Weintraub’s professional summary states he “inspires communities to greater participation, to create deep connections, and discover the holiness in life.”
He says, “…I believe the Jewish world is best served one on one. Inspiration comes not just from the pulpit, but from speaking truth, being a Mensch, and recognizing the Divine Spark, the holiness in each one of us.”
Rabbi Weintraub is married to Rebecca, and they have two daughters, Hannah and Eliana.
Rabbi Weintraub

Shalom Y'all Means All

“Side by Side at CBI” is more than a saying – it’s a way of life in our congregation.  Our inclusive and egalitarian community offers the opportunity for all people to fully participate in our worship services, educational programs, and social events. An inclusive community is a stronger community.

Prayer Transliteration Booklets are available for your convenience in the book boxes on the seats.

Large print prayer books are available upon request.

Curious about our building and our congregation? Join us for a upcoming service or schedule a tour.

Shalom Y'all Means All​
Welcoming

Welcoming Children to Worship

Congregation B’nai Israel of St. Petersburg strives to be an open and welcoming environment for everyone, no one more so than our children.

Children learn about worship and belonging to a spiritual community by participating in services and religious programs. Children learn about being a synagogue family member by being with their synagogue family. At CBI, we believe it is a joy, privilege, and responsibility of every person in our community to guide and nurture our children in the Jewish faith.

Our History

Our History

Congregation B’nai Israel of St. Petersburg continues its award-winning record of achievement supporting the diversity of Conservative Jewish life in Pinellas County. Our goal is to provide the opportunity for our members and friends to experience Jewish life to its fullest.

HISTORICAL HIGHLIGHTS

As we celebrate the vibrant history of Conservative Jewish life in St. Petersburg, we grow Side by Side, from strength to strength, and from generation to generation.

1923

THE EARLY YEARS

In St. Petersburg, Florida, twelve Jewish families meet for services in Charlie Davis’s store on Central Avenue. Congregation B’nai Israel is born. Its first home is a rented store on 13th Street North and 2nd Avenue North. Hyman Jacobs is the first congregation president.

1926

The congregation moves to a larger building, a former church, on 9th Street North and 9th Avenue North, later to become a radiator shop and restaurant. Traveling rabbis serve CBI and the congregation starts a religious school.

1935

New building opens at 1039 Arlington Avenue. Samuel Gilbert serves as lay cantor before assuming the board presidency and the congregation hires Rabbi A.S. Kleinfeld as spiritual leader. Many members cannot afford to pay yearly dues. Jewish businesses are nearby, and one congregant walks from store to store, collecting quarters to support the synagogue.

1947

Congregation hires Rabbi Morris B. Chapman.

1949

25 YEARS

CBI affiliates with United Synagogue of America and establishes a chapter of USY, United Synagogue Youth.

1950

Congregation doubles the size of the building to include a social hall, classroom, and library. Rabbi Chapman initiates the Institute of Adult Studies.

1957

Board president Dr. Harold Rivkind kicks off a rally to raise $250,000 for a new building.

1958

New building opens at 301 – 59th Street North.

1960’s

Congregation adds permanent seats in the sanctuary, interior decoration, and landscaping. The Sisterhood, USY, and educational programs receive national recognition. In 1969, the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism awards the national Solomon Schechter Award to CBI for its Adult Education Program.

1970

The congregation builds subsidized senior housing, Menorah Center, now Philip Benjamin Tower, and Menorah Gardens, a Jewish cemetery. CBI’s library receives the first citation from the Jewish Book Council of America.

1973

50 YEARS
Congregation celebrates its 50th anniversary. Rabbi Louis Lederman succeeds Rabbi Chapman. The congregation honors charter members Ethel Rothblatt and Leon Haliczer.

1977

Rabbi Jacob Luski takes the pulpit. CBI hosts music festivals featuring Hazzan Farid Dardashti and Cantor Joseph Schroeder.

1980

Pinellas County Jewish Day School opens at CBI with 27 students in kindergarten, first grade and second grade.

1981

Adele Morris is elected first woman president of the Congregation. Cantor Irving Zummer joins the Synagogue family.

1985

CBI sells property next to its building to help develop Menorah Manor, a Jewish nursing home. The stained glass “Windows of Wonder” is installed in the main sanctuary. The artist is Victor Berthelsdorf of Kalaidescope Glass Works in Lutz, Florida.

1992

United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism presents CBI the Synagogue of Excellence Award for outstanding programming. The congregation receives recognition again in the next seven biennial meetings of the USCJ: 1994, 1996, 1998, 2000, 2002, 2004, and 2006.

1993

Cantor Shimon Gewirtz joins the staff. The synagogue celebrates its 70th anniversary and starts planning for a new building.

1998

75 YEARS

Groundbreaking begins in October. Construction on the new building proceeds while the old building remains in continuous operation. “Windows of Wonder” is moved from the old building to the new. The Jewish Federation of Pinellas County presents CBI the Yitzhak Rabin Award for Program of Distinction for its “Hanukka Fest ’97.”

2000

In April, the congregation moves to the new building at 300 – 58th Street North; it is officially dedicated December 17.

2002

On Yom Hashoa, April 8, CBI dedicates Holocaust Torah Scroll #1128 in memory of Maurice Goldblatt. Upon Shimon Gewirtz’s retirement in May, Hazzan David Sislen joins the synagogue family in August. The Jewish Federation of Pinellas County confers the Yitzhak Rabin Award for CBI’s “Mitzvah Day 2002” program.

2003

Congregation B’nai Israel marks its 80th Anniversary. Rabbi Jacob Luski receives an honorary Doctorate of Divinity from the Jewish Theological Seminary of America. The annual Hanukka Fest expands to become the “Gift and Craft Show” open to the entire community.

2005

CBI receives the national Solomon Schechter Award for its Advocacy For Israel Committee, the “A-Team”, from United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism.

2006

The Jewish Federation of Pinellas County confers the Yitzhak Rabin Award for CBI’s “Mitzvah Men’s Club Shabbat at Menorah Manor” program.

2007

Congregation receives the national Solomon Schechter Award for its B’nai Israel Review monthly publication from United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism.

2008

On March 16, the Tom and Shevy Silverberg family donate a new Torah to Congregation B’nai Israel in honor of their parents, designed and scribed by Shevy’s brother in Israel, Shmuel Charif. Paul Goldstein follows David Sislen to become the new Hazzan in September.

2011

Cantor Jonathan Schultz joins the synagogue family in October.

2013

Congregation B’nai Israel of St. Petersburg celebrates 90 years of Jewish life in St. Petersburg.

2015

The inaugural “Chase the Dreidel” 5K Run attracts runners from across Tampa Bay to chase a giant dreidel down the streets of St. Petersburg and the Pinellas Trail on a police-secured professionally-timed course.

2016

Congregation B’nai Israel celebrates diversity by hosting the Southeast’s first synagogue-affiliated LGBTQ event – PRIDE Shabbat – and joins the St. Pete PRIDE Street Festival.

2018

95 YEARS
Rabbi Jacob Luski becomes Rabbi Emeritus and retires after 41 years on the pulpit of Congregation B’nai Israel. Rabbi Philip Weintraub becomes the 5th pulpit rabbi of Congregation B’nai Israel of St. Petersburg.

2019

CBI becomes the national leader in the JNF Affiliate Program as it works towards a fifth JNF Parkland. Weiss Family Heart Memorial Dedicate in Silverberg Courtyard in memory of Dr. Mitchell and Dr. Leslie Weiss and their children Hannah and Ari. The Weiss family perished on New Year’s Eve when a small plane they were aboard crashed while they were on vacation in Costa Rica. Tampa Bay artist Donald Gialanella’s “Love Heart” stands 6½ feet tall and 6½ wide and is made of marine-grade stainless steel (impervious to weathering and discoloration). Love Heart is made up of many layers of stainless bands welded together to form a heart shape in the central negative space.