B'nai Israel Congregation

The music may be old, but the artists are new! Come here these new renditions of classic Jewish music, collected by the Milken Archive and presented by Cantor Josh. A musical adventure of historic scope and proportion, the Milken Archive was founded in 1990 to document, preserve, and disseminate the vast body of music that pertains to the American Jewish experience. In the time since, the Milken Archive has become the largest collection of American Jewish music ever assembled—roughly 600 recorded works, more than 500 of them world premieres.

Come celebrate the last night of Hanukkah DRIVE-IN STYLE! Bundle up to get cozy and join the fun with other BISNS families as we light the 8th candle and watch TOY STORY in the B'nai Israel parking lot. The cost is $20 per car and snack baggies are included! Please RSVP by December 1st so we can plan accordingly. Limited space is available!

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.

For an ancient text intended to set boundaries and impart values, the Torah contains many narratives which include episodes of, let us say, less than exemplary behaviors. During this class we will explore family narratives and relationships in the Book of Bereshit. We’re pretty sure your religious school didn’t focus your attention on these stories. Please bring a copy of the Torah with an English translation.

David Becker is the founder and executive director of the Center for Election Innovation and Research. He has appeared on CBS and CNN. Our very own Jonathan Salant, co-president of the Men’s Club, is a veteran award-winning political reporter, and past president of the National Press Club. They will look back at 2021 and ahead to the 2022 midterms. Cosponsored by Sisterhood.

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

The Faberge Secret by Charles Belfoure New York Times bestselling author Charles Belfoure takes readers on a breathless journey from the gilded ballrooms of Imperial Russia to the grim violence of the pogroms in St Petersburg, 1903. Prince Dimitri Markhov counts himself lucky to be a close friend of the tsar, but when confronted by the death and destruction wrought by a pogrom, he is taken aback. He grows determined to make a stand, whatever the cost.

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!

Join our Shlicha, Netta Asner-Minster, and Talia Garber, the Shlicha at Congregation B’nai Tzedek who also has a film degree from Israel, virtually for this series focusing on Israeli TV shows. Once a month, September through December, we will be showing an episode from a different Israeli TV show. This will be followed with a discussion about cinematography, Israeli society and history, sharing the variety of Israeli TV and the meaning behind it.

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.

Now offered almost every week, Family Minyan includes spirited prayer, an engaging Torah reading, and lively conversation about the weekly Torah portion. This service is organized by our shlicha, Netta Asner-Minster, who leads it alongside Rabbi Mitchell Berkowitz, and Moshe Ben-Lev, Educational Director.