CBSRZ is a multigenerational Jewish community rooted in learning, connection, and shared responsibility.
OUR MISSION
We are the Jewish soul of the Connecticut River Valley: a welcoming, multigenerational community rooted in sacred tradition and nourished by friendship, learning, and shared purpose.
Together, we celebrate, question, and create—strengthening Jewish life through spirited worship, joyful connection, Torah study, lifelong education, and a deep commitment to justice and belonging for all.
Our Core Values
These principles flow through all of our activities, from worship to communal gatherings. “How good and pleasant it is to dwell together” (Psalms 133:1) beautifully captures the deep value we place on relationships and the powerful sense of belonging that binds us together as one community. Above all, we believe each of us is made b’tzelem Eloheim-in the sacred image of G-d (Genesis 1:27), and at CBSRZ, there is a place for everyone.
Kehilah – The CBSRZ Community
Welcome the Stranger (Exodus 22:21)
“You shall not oppress a stranger, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt.”
- We open our doors and hearts to guests, newcomers, and interfaith families.
- We encourage and maintain a sense of belonging for everyone.
- We actively cultivate an inclusive environment where a diverse community feels at home.
- Everyone can find their place here in our congregation.
Ruchaniyut – Spirituality & Meaning
Seek Learning (Talmud, b. Kid. 40b) “Great is study, for it leads to action.”
- We dedicate ourselves to Jewish study—learning that propels us to do good in the world.
- Judaism is the foundation of all we do.
- We find meaning through learning, prayer, and daily living.
- We are Yisrael—“God wrestlers”—and we all connect in our own way.
Ahavah v’Oneg – Love & Joy
Show Kindness (Pirke Avot 1:2) “The world is sustained by compassionate deeds.”
- We practice loving-kindness—on the bimah, at community events, and in everyday life.
- We find joy in our experience of Judaism.
- We enthusiastically try new ideas and are willing to learn from missteps.
- We aim to help everyone find what they love in our community.
Klal Yisrael – Part of the Worldwide Jewish Family
Honor Memory (Deuteronomy 32:7)
“Remember the days of old; consider the generations long past.” We carry forward the wisdom of previous generations and keep alive the stories that shaped us.
- We are not alone—we are connected to the Reform Jewish world.
- We are part of the global Jewish family spanning thousands of years.
- We respect each person’s choices of how they express their Judaism.
Tikkun Olam – Repairing the World
Pursue Justice (Leviticus 19:16) “You shall not stand idly by while your neighbor bleeds.”
- Our commitment to social action and righteousness is woven into every program and initiative.
- We are “Pursuers of Justice” and hear the call of the prophets.
- We weave social action and social justice into all we do.
- “You shall not remain indifferent.” (Deut. 22:3)
Rooted in History. Built by Community.
Our synagogue began as two distinct entities on either side of the Connecticut River: Rodfe Zedek, established in Moodus in 1915, and Jewish Community Center of Lower Middlesex County in Deep River, the precursor to Beth Shalom, founded in the 1930s.
The two synagogues merged in 1998 and later moved to our present home in Chester, Connecticut.
Our Sanctuary
The CBSRZ building is notable for its design by conceptual artist Sol LeWitt, in collaboration with architect Stephen Lloyd. Completed in 2001, it stands as LeWitt’s sole architectural project.
The structure draws inspiration from traditional Eastern European wooden synagogues, featuring a clapboard exterior and an octagonal-shaped sanctuary. A prominent six-pointed star, formed by exposed wooden beams, adorns the ceiling above the sanctuary. The Ark, housing the Torah scrolls, is distinguished by a colorful six-pointed star on its exterior, marking LeWitt’s first use of the vibrant broken bands later prevalent in his artwork.
It is known in the international art world as the only public building ever designed by 20th-century conceptual artist Sol LeWitt, a member of the congregation until his death in 2007. LeWitt’s distinctive geometric forms and bold color palettes invigorate the synagogue’s atmosphere, inviting both personal reflection and communal celebration. By seamlessly blending contemporary style with religious motifs, LeWitt’s contributions highlight the unity of art, faith, and shared identity.
About Sol LeWitt
Sol LeWitt (1928–2007) was a pioneering American artist known for changing the way we think about art. A leading figure in Minimalism and Conceptual Art, LeWitt believed that the idea behind the art was just as important — if not more so — than the finished piece. He once said, “The idea becomes a machine that makes the art.”
Early in his career, LeWitt worked in graphic design and as a draftsman for an architect, which influenced his love of clean lines, structure, and geometric forms. In 1967, he wrote an important essay in which he argued that an artwork could begin with a concept—and that concept could stand on its own.
He’s well known for creating detailed instructions for wall drawings, which others would carry out. In this way, LeWitt turned the traditional idea of the artist on its head — shifting the focus from the maker to the meaning.
LeWitt’s approach helped open up the world of conceptual and process-based art, inviting future artists to explore new ways of creating. His work reminds us that ideas have power — and that creativity can take many forms.
