B'nai Israel Congregation

Our Men's Club Annual Health Awareness Month ends with this interactive Zoom experience for the entire B’nai Israel family. The title of our program is “Don’t Sleep on It: Deal with Sleep Isues before They Deal with You.” Sleep affects everyone, both young and old, so this program will be a real wake up call. Our speakers are nationally recognized experts on the topic of sleep: Dr. Helene A. Emsellem and Dr. Sylvan Mintz, both members of B’nai Israel. Dr. Emsellem is Director of The Center for Sleep & Wake Disorders in Chevy Chase and a Clinical Professor of Neurology at George Washington University. She is interested in all aspects of sleep medicine including diagnosis and treatment of sleep disorders, research into new agents and devices, and public education/advocacy. One-on-one she enjoys delving into the complexities of individual patient’s sleep-wake complaints, using the power of a detailed history to enhance diagnostic accuracy and successful treatment. She is author of the book, Snooze… or Lose! Ten No-War Ways to Improve Your Teen’s Sleep Habits, a book written to help teens understand the importance of sleep, and to empower them to own and improve their sleep-wake habits. She is coauthor of Neuro-Logic: A Primer on Localization, a foundational text about localization in the nervous system - the fundamental skill of clinical neurology. She served on the Board of Directors of the National Sleep Foundation for 8 years and is a frequently quoted media resource. Dr. Mintz has published the largest clinical study on managing sleep apnea in adults with oral devices as well as an article on temporomandibular joint disorder in children. He has begun a pilot study on oral devices for children with obstructive sleep apnea. After attending the University of Maryland dental school, Dr. Mintz earned a Masters in pediatric dentistry and certificates in anesthesia, TMJ, and orofacial pain. During a year in Vietnam as an Army dentist, he organized and ran a clinic for Vietnamese orphans for which he was awarded the Army Commendation medal. After growing a solo pediatric dental practice to a multispecialty group with 12 dentists and almost 60 staff, he downsized to focus on TMJ dysfunction, facial pain, and dental sleep medicine. After many years serving on staff, he still volunteers at Children’s National Medical Center. Also, he has been a regular consultant to the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center’s Clinics on Sleep and on Orofacial Pain. We look forward to you joining us on Zoom for this informative program.

For many years, our Lunch and Learn group has explored the text of the Torah verse-by verse, chapter-by-chapter, book-by-book. We “unpack” not only the more obvious meaning of the words and ideas but how they interface with contemporary issues and our own personal concerns and challenges. This season will be especially meaningful as we complete our study of the Book of Deuteronomy, the last section of the Torah. We will then continue with excerpts from the Book of Joshua, the next text in the biblical sequence. Comments Elie Wiesel: “(Joshua) is the narrative of a stunning adventure, the echoes of which reverberate in our consciousness—and in our newspapers—to this day: a nation still exuberant and young, still homeless, is about to take possession of a territory, still inhabited by other tribes and other entities, in the name of an ancient promise, on the authority of a higher inscrutable will.” As the “regulars” will attest, our conversations are lively, and we are not a “closed club.” Newcomers are always warmly welcomed, as together we discover anew the power of the Bible.

For many years, our Lunch and Learn group has explored the text of the Torah verse-by verse, chapter-by-chapter, book-by-book. We “unpack” not only the more obvious meaning of the words and ideas but how they interface with contemporary issues and our own personal concerns and challenges. This season will be especially meaningful as we complete our study of the Book of Deuteronomy, the last section of the Torah. We will then continue with excerpts from the Book of Joshua, the next text in the biblical sequence. Comments Elie Wiesel: “(Joshua) is the narrative of a stunning adventure, the echoes of which reverberate in our consciousness—and in our newspapers—to this day: a nation still exuberant and young, still homeless, is about to take possession of a territory, still inhabited by other tribes and other entities, in the name of an ancient promise, on the authority of a higher inscrutable will.” As the “regulars” will attest, our conversations are lively, and we are not a “closed club.” Newcomers are always warmly welcomed, as together we discover anew the power of the Bible.

In large measure, the Bible describes how one people emerged from among all the others to become God’s chosen people. And yet the prophet Malachi asks, “Did not one God create us all?!” (Malachi 2:10). We are commanded to be holy and observe unique rituals and laws. God promises to rout our enemies, redeem us from exile, and bless us as “a nation that dwells apart” (Numbers 23:9). At the same time, the Torah commands that we love the stranger. The Bible commands that we rout Amalek and warns against the influences of non-Israelite cultures, while also lionizing such righteous gentiles as Noah, Yitro, Ruth, and Job. Ezra and Nehemiah rail against the evils of intermarriage, while the authors of Ruth, Esther, and Isaiah propose an alternative view. This course uses the biblical text to explore ancient views of non-Israelite peoples and religions. We will examine of the Torah’s attitudes towards assimilation, intermarriage, and the place of non-Jews to reflect on the appropriate balance between Judaism’s tribalist and universalist tendencies. All texts will be provided, but participants who own their own Tanakh are encouraged to bring it to class. This course is appropriate for students of all skill levels; no previous experience with Bible study is necessary.

To attend this service, please contact Allison to reserve your space.

The Men’s Club is bringing delicious kosher deli from New York to Rockville! Order anything you want from their a la carte or takeout menus. Place your order by sending an email to kosher2gocatering@gmail.com. Orders must be placed by 4:00 PM on Friday, October 29. Pick-up at B’nai Israel on Thursday, November 4, from 3:00–6:00 PM. 5% of sales go to the Men’s Club. View the menus online at www.bnaiisraelcong.org/event/kosherfoodtruck

Hang out. Do homework. Catch up with friends. And enjoy some snacks and drinks, of course. Open to all teens in Grades 9-12, regardless of where you go to school.

The Answers to Your Questions and Then a Whole New Set of Questions A multi-denominational journey into the heart of Judaism taught by seven Metro DC-area rabbis representing the Reform, Conservative and Orthodox movements. No matter your background, the Miller Intro to Judaism Program, developed by American Jewish University, is here to guide you on your Jewish journey. Whether you’re soul-searching or seeking your community, the Intro Program will walk you through Judaism’s big ideas and the nuts and bolts of daily Jewish living. We know you have questions—so do we—and we can’t wait to discuss them all with you. Join us in person or participate online!

The Jewish people are no strangers to exile. This course will explore key moments in the history of the Jewish diaspora, beginning with the Jews of Sepharad in 1492. This class will take you on a journey into the lives of Jewish communities and families in the various cosmopolitan societies of the diaspora. What brought the Jews to situate themselves in these particular regions? What were the circumstances that led to our storied past as a people who flourished and struggled in the diaspora? Participants will receive a copy of Allen Levine’s Scattered Among the Peoples, which will be the “textbook” for the course. To enrich each class and ensure a lively discussion, participants are asked to read one chapter each week. Questions for discussion and reflection will be sent in advance of each class. Fred Jacobs is Professor Emeritus of Education at American University where he was a faculty member and administrator for over thirty years, serving as University Dean of Faculties, Dean of the School of Education, and Director of the Doctoral Program.in Education. Previously, he taught at Denison University, the Harvard Graduate School of Education, and the City University of New York. He has a B.A. from Dickinson College, and M.A. and Ph.D. from the University of Pennsylvania, and was a Postdoctoral Fellow at Harvard University. In 2007, he was a Fulbright Scholar in Romania where he had an opportunity to explore his maternal ancestry in the Carpathian Mountains of Romania. He and his family are long-time members of Congregation Bnai Tzedek. Ira Lieberman Ph.D., who has been President and Chief Executive Officer of LIPAM International, Inc., since October 2004. In this capacity he has advised governments, not-for-profit institutions, and private companies. Much of his advisory work has been focused on the microfinance sector. Ira worked for the World Bank in Washington DC from 1993-2004 and from 1985–1987 in several positions. Ira has a BA from Lehigh University an MBA from Columbia University and a Ph.D. (D.Phil.) from Oxford University.

Celebrate each month’s birthdays at the end of Youth & Family services with songs and treats!

Join us on selected Saturday mornings for discussions about the weekly Torah parsha. Interested in leading a session? Contact Wendy Fanaroff (wfanaroff@gmail.com).

A chance for parents with day school students of all ages to mix and mingle in a casual, children-free setting. Hosted this year by Barbara and Stewart Bushman at their home after Shabbat ends. As in past years, all participants are asked to sign up to bring one item. This event will take place after Shabbat.