B'nai Israel Congregation

Manny Thorne will present It Will Yet Be Told, by his late father, Leon Thorne, with a forward by Isaac Bashevis Singer.

Grab your bowl, spoon, and favorite flavor to enjoy a sweet treat and a fun afternoon of crafts.

Each year, the JCRC brings together thousands of participants, representing over 100 synagogues, churches, interfaith partners, diplomats, and elected officials to ensure that the legacy of the Holocaust is preserved. It is perhaps the JCRC of Greater Washington’s most sacred obligation to host our local community’s annual Yom Ha’Shoah Commemoration in honor of the six million Jews killed during the Holocaust and of the survivors and liberators among us. This year join us at our community-wide commemoration online at 1 PM on Sunday, April 11, 2021. We are honored to welcome Elisha Wiesel, son of Elie Wiesel, as our keynote speaker. As years pass and our survivors age, the events of the Shoah become more distant. With anti-Semitism on the rise, the JCRC’s commemoration, along with our year-round Holocaust education efforts, are more important than ever. Click here to register, and to receive updates and information about this year's program as it becomes available.

Bake and have fun with all your friends.

Join Randy Sager, Fine Arts Chair, in a “taste of art” virtual tour of select pieces of art throughout B’nai Israel Congregation. Randy will focus on the artists’ biographies, subject matter, methods and more. The tour includes lithographs, photos, sculpture, and pieces from the museum case collection. Presented by the Arts Task Force of the Adult Education Committee.

On the eve of Yom HaZikaron (Israel Memorial Day), we will commemorate IDF soldiers and victims of terror at the largest international virtual ceremony for the Jewish world. Our English-speaking ceremony is a chance for Jews from around the world to participate in a meaningful ceremony from a personal, communal and national perspective. This year, the theme of the ceremony is “In Their Footsteps,” in recognition of the determination exhibited by new immigrant soldiers who left everything behind and made Aliyah in order to enlist in the IDF.

In 1656, Spinoza’s synagogue issued against him a writ of herem, expulsion from the community, for his “abominable heresies.” Join us for a dramatic reading of New Jerusalem, David Ives’ play which depicts this ordeal, and which will lead us to deeper investigation of Spinoza’s thought. Class participants will receive a copy of the play and will take turns playing the characters during each of the sessions. The weekly reading and conversation about Spinoza will be facilitated by Daniel Spiro, local author and founder of the Washington D.C. Spinoza Society.

$75 Friends of the Haberman Institute or B’nai Israel Members $90 General Public A scan of the Books of Israelite Prophets seems to indicate that Jonah, despite his reluctance, was one of the most successful of Hebrew Prophets. It is a shame that most Jews only encounter his narrative on Yom Kippur afternoon, at the end of a day of fasting, when perhaps attentiveness is not at its best. We will take our time to unpack the Book of Jonah and give it the attention Jonah didn’t want. Please have a Tanakh (Hebrew Bible, English translation is fine) for this course. Presented by the Haberman Institute for Jewish Studies.

Join our shlicha, Netta Asner-Minster, for a short ceremony bridging Yom Hazikaron, Israel’s Memorial Day with Yom HaAtzmaut, Israel’s Independence Day. During this ceremony Netta will be sharing how to use the Zikaron packets that were distributed, as well as demonstrate the difficult and unique transition from grief to celebration.

Celebrate Yom HaAtzmaut and mark Israel's Memorial Day along with our Shlicha, Netta Asner-Minster. In honor of these two days, families as well as adults will be able to pick-up a box with booklets, activities, and items, bringing Israel to your home and for the entire family. The adult boxes will include a Zikaron packet, which is a biography of a fallen soldier along with lyrics to a song written by or about the individual. Families will be able to opt-in to receive this packet. Sign-up and pick-up information, as well as location or link will be shared closer to the event.

Bring your 'Israel in a box' and specifically your shot glass and favorite drink as we raise a toast for Israel, and mark Israel's 73rd birthday. This event will take place right before the 'Defending Israel' panel and is a special community event for B'nai Israel members in honor of Yom HaAtzmaut.

Join our shlicha, Netta Asner-Minster, for a special IDF panel in honor of Israel’s Independence Day. The panel will include former soldiers who are currently in the DMV area and have served in different IDF positions. They will share their unique experiences and challenges while defending Israel.

Weather permitting, this service will take place in the B'nai Israel parking lot. Space is limited. Please register below with the number of people in your family who will be attending. *In the event of rain, this service will take place virtually.