Beyond CBI - Jewish Charlottesville

Students with an Orthodox background can find a Jewish home away from home at the UVA Chabad. In addition, Charlottesville is home to a small and active Jewish Renewal community; P’nai Yisrael Chavurah. The United Jewish Fund For Charlottesville funds and supports Jewish programming and institutions in our area. Congregation Beth Israel maintains friendly ties to all of these organizations, sometimes collaborates with them, and many CBI members are engaged and active in Jewish life beyond the synagogue.

While Charlottesville has a truly excellent restaurant, vineyard, brewery, and bakery scene, there are also some limitations that come with the cities comparatively smaller size. There is no kosher butcher or deli, but local grocery stores (especially the local Wegmans) carry a decent kosher selection. Challah is available at several places, including the locally beloved Albemarle Baking company, which is where CBI purchases Challah every week. For smaller Jewish ritual items (Yahrzeit candles, Havdalah candles, menorahs, Seder plates, other Judaica) we encourage you to visit the CBI gift shop.

Congregation Beth Israel serves a diverse, multi-faceted Jewish community in Charlottesville and its surrounding counties. While much of Jewish life is centered around the synagogue, there are also several Jewish institutions and organizations in our area that offer programming, educational events, and opportunities for the larger Jewish community. The UVA Jewish Studies Department is the home of renowned scholars and lecturers. The local Hadassah chapter organizes frequent gatherings and educational programs. Charlottesville’s Jewish student population can join the dynamic UVA Hillel for services, Shabbat dinners, and other activities.