B'nai Israel Congregation

Beginning on Monday, July 27, from 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM, and continuing on Mondays through August 17, the clergy and staff will work with all rising seventh graders, male and female, to practice putting on tefillin. These workshops will focus on imparting meaning to the mitzvah, as well as the practical aspects of how to properly wear them. Sets of tefillin will be made available to all rising 7th grade students at a highly subsidized price thanks to the generosity of the Dollye and I. Wolford Berman Educational Initiative Grant. I am excited to announce a special opportunity to acquire a pair of tefillin (regularly priced at $200) for only $50, thanks to the generosity of the Dollye and I. Wolford Berman Educational Initiative Grant. This special price is available to all B'nai Israel sixth graders. You can place your order by clicking here. Parents who would like to purchase their own sets can also receive steep discounts through the Sisterhood Gift Shop. Your clergy at B'nai Israel are passionate about making sure that all of our students, both males and females, have their own pair of tefillin, and that they all feel comfortable wearing them as part of weekday morning services. We want them all to understand the importance of this mitzvah, and feel that they are empowered to fulfill it as soon-to-be b'nai mitzvah. We hope that this generously funded program will make this possible. The special sale and training sessions are open to all B'nai Israel rising 7th grade students

Three years ago this August, neo-Nazis and white supremacists descended on Charlottesville, VA for a weekend of violence. This violence was no accident – rather, it was the result of months of planning. And it served as a harbinger of the cycle of white supremacist violence that has followed. Integrity First for America (IFA), in partnership with a world-class legal team, is uniquely taking on the neo-Nazis, white supremacists, and hate groups at the center of this violent movement, holding them accountable in federal court for the violence they brought to Charlottesville in 2017. IFA’s lawsuit — scheduled to go to trial this October — details how these extremists conspired online to orchestrate a weekend of violence, which resulted in Heather Heyer’s death and extensive injuries. It provides a tangible way to take action against the white supremacy and extremism that’s poisoning this country and has the potential to bankrupt and dismantle the leaders and hate groups at the center of this movement — which is key, given their disturbing connections to the broader cycle of white supremacist violence. Taking on, and taking down, these violent extremists is all the more critical as we see them try to exploit recent protests to spread disinformation, hate, fear, and violence. The urgency of this case is even more clear as our country faces a much-needed public reckoning on racism and other forms of bigotry. Join IFA Executive Director Amy Spitalnick and attorneys Roberta Kaplan and Karen Dunn for an overview of this landmark case and the fight against white supremacy, anti-Semitism, racism, and other forms of hate. Register at bit.ly/IFAEvent810 This event is co-sponsored by ADL Washington, JCRC of Greater Washington, and B'nai Israel.

This is the first session of the year about “Women in Judaism.” Join our Shlicha, Netta Asner-Minster, for a discussion about women and their representation in the Bible. This session will follow the known and daring stories of women, alongside those who have remained nameless, to discuss how women are represented throughout the Bible.

This program is especially great for families with pre-school-aged children, whether or not they are enrolled in Schilit Nursery School. This program will continue every week for as long as our building is closed.

In accordance with Montgomery County Phase Two guidelines, we are excited to bring our community together for an outdoor Friday Evening service on August 14 at 7:00 PM in the B’nai Israel parking lot. We will be led by Rabbi Berkowitz and Cantor Josh and look forward to joining our voices for the melodies of Kabbalat Shabbat in a safe, socially distant environment. Please BYOC (Bring Your Own Chair) – this service is not drive-in style. There will not be assigned spots, but the parking lot will be clearly labeled with directions where to park and where to gather to safely social distance. RSVPs required. If you’d like to attend this outdoor service, please contact Allison Karasik (allison@bnaiisraelcong.org) with the names of everyone in your party. Paper copies of the service will be provided, but please feel free to bring your own siddur. If there is rain in the forecast, we will make a determination about whether to hold the service by 4:30 PM on that day. (This service will not be available via Zoom. Our 6:15 PM service will be broadcast from Dweck Sanctuary via Zoom as on all other weeks.)