B'nai Israel Congregation

$36 for members; $50 for nonmembers Learn the art and logic of chanting Haftarah! This is a practical skills-focused class that will culminate with an opportunity to chant Haftarah at shul on a Shabbat morning. Open to students at all levels.

Exact Time TBD

You are sure to learn a lot from Rabbi Simon's fascinating discussions, filled with historical references, side-notes, and interesting anecdotes.

Help us provide lunch for the residents of the Interfaith Works Women’s Shelter in Rockville. Items can be purchased or prepared in your home. Cosponsored by Men’s Club and Sisterhood.

Dr. Gail Hornstein will speak about Dr. Frieda Fromm-Reichmann, a Jewish psychiatrist who escaped from Germany to Palestine and then immigrated to the United States. She practiced at the Chestnut Lodge Sanitorium in Rockville (on Route 28 near Rockville Town Center) until her death in 1957. Dr. From-Reichmann was the inspiration for I Never Promised You a Rose Garden. Peerless Rockville Historic Preservation, Ltd. purchased the Frieda Fromm-Reichmann Cottage, and on January 13, 2021, the U.S. Secretary of the Interior designated Frieda’s Cottage as a National Historic Landmark. Frieda’s Cottage is the first Landmark in Rockville. Presented in partnership with Congregation Har Shalom Sisterhood. Dr. Hornstein, a Professor of Psychology at Mount Holyoke College in South Hadley, MA, is the author of To Redeem One Person is to Redeem the World: The Life of Frieda Fromm-Reichmann.

Our annual Sports Night, a dinner speaker event, this year featuring Fred Frommer, author of You Gotta Have Heart: A History of Washington Baseball from Walter Johnson to the 2019 World Champion Washington Nationals. Fred is head of sports PR at the Dewey Square Group and will talk about all things Washington baseball. He will have copies of his book available for purchase.

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.

A new year and a new tractate of Talmud! Join us to study Tractate Berakhot which includes a comprehensive discussion of the Shema and Amidah, the essential components of the prayer service. Newcomers are more than welcome to join us. No prior knowledge is necessary.

The Rabbi’s Wife, The Bishop’s Wife by David Jacobson and Chayuta Deutsch Spain, 1391—Based on a true story of Joana Halevi, one brave woman who was willing to give up the most precious things in her life to maintain her faith. Her story is brought to life in Jerusalem, 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic by a woman suffering by loneliness and isolation and her new online friend.

with Paul Flesher, Professor of Religious Studies, University of Wyoming In the first six centuries CE, Galilee was a vibrant center for the religious and demographic growth of Judaism. It thus provides a prime laboratory for studying the architectural development of the early synagogue, especially as it became Judaism’s primary religious structure after the Jerusalem Temple’s destruction in 70 CE. Archaeological excavations have unearthed four different architectural styles of synagogues common during this time, from the early, open-center layout of Jesus’ time to the basilica styles widespread later in this period. It turns out that as synagogue architecture developed away from the early, open-center plan, each new style enhanced the ability of the audience to hear the reading of Scripture—a primary ritual activity. This presentation will show how the synagogue increasing became a building custom-designed for hearing the Scripture reading. How to Access the BASONOVA Zoom Lecture Series If you wish to subscribe to the lecture series, please access the BASONOVA PayPal portal and use a credit card for an annual subscription ($35 per family). Go to: http://www.basonova.org/ membership-form.html It is also possible to access the series one lecture at a time, for $7 per lecture. To reserve your single-lecture Zoom spot for this event, go to: http://www.basonova.org/ next-lecture-reservation.html Questions: info@basonova.org

Author Chris Palmer will give an entertaining talk on how to get the most out of life and live with more joy, success, and fulfillment. He will discuss what’s important, how to find purpose and meaning, and how to live fully, especially as we grow older. His talk is about actively designing our lives rather than drifting forward, reacting to what happens to us, and how to behave in ways that are true to our most honorable, generous, and best selves.

Join us at Lakewood Country Club for a mens-only program featuring nosh, drinks, and topical discussion led by Rabbi Mark Raphael who will be discussing ethical wills.

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

What does it take to be a hero? Just a little bit of your gevurah (strength). You can be strong of body, strong of mind, strong of spirit, or strong in many other ways. Who are the heroes of Jewish history? Who are the heroes in your life? Join us for a celebration of heroes as we approach Hannukah, which celebrates the heroic efforts of our ancestors.

Share melodies and words of Torah as we gather to say farewell to Shabbat. Bring your favorite niggun (wordless melody), your favorite brief teaching, or just bring yourselves.