B'nai Israel Congregation

The Men's Club invites you to participate in a walking tour of African-American history in Downtown Rockville. The walking tour documents the people and places in the core of downtown Rockville that played significant roles in African-American history through 19th and 20th centuries. The tour touches on the historic themes common to the African American experience such as slavery, education, emancipation, religion, commerce and civil rights. Participants must preregister to Steve Goldberg (smgold999@gmail.com) by November 6th in order to receive detailed information about this self-guided walk and tour.

Sunday, October 18 (and continuing for 7 more sessions) 11:30 AM–12:15 PM Learn to lead weekday services and/or to chant Torah. These practical skills-focused classes are set up as units; participants may sign up for one unit or for both. Unit 1: Intro to Chanting Torah with Cantor Bolts October 18, 25, and November 8, 15 Unit 2: Intro to Leading Weekday Services with Cantor Josh November 22, and December 6, 13, 20

Get ready to say “bingo” during this fun afternoon program.

Make some sweet treats with all of your Bonim friends.

Monday, October 19 (continuing for 5 more sessions) 7:30–8:45 PM “Portnoy” is the Russian word for “tailor,” but the late writer Philip Roth changed its meaning forever when he published the best-selling book Portnoy’s Complaint in 1969. This 6-week class will focus on the life and works of Roth. Our study will highlight the different stages of his life and writings beginning with Goodbye Columbus (1959) and continuing until Nemesis (2010). Themes will include: Jews in America, families, mortality, sex and love, and politics, as well as his views of women, his love of baseball, and his attachment to Newark. We will also discuss some of the reactions to his award-winning work, especially in the Jewish community. The reading of Goodbye Columbus or Portnoy’s Complaint before the first session is recommended but not required.

Wednesday, October 7 (continuing six more Wednesday mornings, concluding November 18) 9:30–11:00 AM $80 Friends of the Haberman Institute or B’nai Israel Members $95 General Public Travel back to the sources and study selections from the books of Maccabees I & II as we explore the story of the war against the Assyrians and the formation of the last independent Jewish government for 2000 years. As obtaining these texts can be difficult, a reader will be provided for all students. Zoom information will be provided once registration is received. Presented by the Haberman Institute for Jewish Studies.

These monthly sessions will explore Israel’s most daring operations. Each session will delve into the specifics of events such as the raid at Entebbe, the trial of Eichmann, and the work of Eli Cohen. The sessions will be supplemented with adaptations of these operations from movies and shows. Sessions continue on October 21, November 11, December 3, and January 28.

Our artist-in-residence, Eliana Light, will join us virtually to prepare for Shabbat and lead a Havdalah concert.

(Thursday, October 15 (continuing for 11 more sessions, skipping November 26, December 24 & 31, concluding on January 21) 9:30–11:00 AM $75 for B’nai Israel members or Friends of Haberman Institute $90 for general public History thinks of the prophets as superheroes: people who can see the future, speak with God, and communicate inspiring messages. But how is the prophetic message received? Nobody wants to hear that society is doomed unless people make changes they are not prepared to make. With all their eccentricities, it is easy to dismiss the prophets. This was as true in ancient times as it is today. Through text study, our diverse group of rabbis explores the role of the prophet in ancient times to understand the implications of the prophetic message for today. Presented by the Haberman Institute for Jewish Studies.

Join us for a conversation with Qes Efraim Lawi, the Rabbi of Karmiel Beit Yisrael community.

Prepare for Shabbat with the words and sounds of our Friday evening prayers.

The Men's Club invites you to join us on for this Zoom event on the African - American History or Downtown Rockville. We will hear from Ms. Miriam Bunow representing Peerless Rockville, who will be speaking about the rich African=American History in Rockville. She will provide important details of the many African - American sites located in Downtown Rockville. Since Rockville’s formation as the county seat of Montgomery County, African Americans have figured prominently in the history of this city. This talk is a follow-on to the Men's Club Tour of Downtown Rockville held on November 8th. It is not necessary that you participated on the Walking Tour in order to hear this presentation from Ms. Bunow. Peerless Rockville is an award-winning nonprofit, community-based organization founded in 1974 to preserve buildings, objects, and information important to Rockville’s heritage. Peerless Rockville advances its goals through education, example, advocacy, and community involvement.

Thursdays, October 8-November 12 8:00 PM This unique case of curated Israeli wines has been assembled by wine educator Steve Kerbel. Each week Steve will hold a 45 minute Zoom wine tasting, when we will choose a white wine and a red wine to enjoy together and taste. We will learn about the wines, winemakers and wineries, about the wine growing regions of Israel and about the growing wine culture of Israel, built on ancient practices of wine making in the Land of Israel. Once the case from Kosherwine.com has been purchased, you will receive the Zoom invitation and tasting and food pairing notes. Click here to purchase.

Our artist-in-residence, Eliana Light, will join us virtually to prepare for Shabbat and lead a Havdalah concert.

Join Eliana Light to sing, celebrate, and get ready for Shabbat together! All preschool age kids and their grownups are welcome.

Pause for a few moments before the onset of Shabbat to frame the approaching day with mindfulness and clarity.

Our artist-in-residence, Eliana Light, will join us virtually to prepare for Shabbat and lead a Havdalah concert.

Wish farewell to Shabbat and greet the week ahead with song.