B'nai Israel Congregation

$36 for members; $50 for nonmembers Why do we chant our sacred texts with a melody, instead of just reading them? Where does trope come from and how does it work? This class will explore the history and theory of trope, the system(s) for chanting biblical texts. Open to students at all levels; no previous knowledge of trope is necessary. This class was also offered in the fall of 2022, and is back by popular demand.

Our next Afternoon With Abba program is scheduled for Sunday, March 5, with laser tag at Shadowland in Gaithersburg. The event will run from 2-4 p.m. Shadowland, 624 Quince Orchard Rd., Gaithersburg, is located in the shopping center at the intersection of Quince Orchard and Clopper roads. The Men's Club will pick up the tab and provide chips and drinks, We will play two games, with a snack break in between. Attendance is limited 40 players ages 6 and up, so if more than 40 people sign up, fathers will be asked to wait outside so the kids can play. If more than 40 want to play, we'll put together a waiting list in case of cancellations. If interested, please sign up with Stewart Bushman at stoobush@gmail.com.

The Purim Spiel will be “Beauty and the (Purim) Feast” and will be a spin on Beauty and the Beast. The music and story are recognizable, upbeat and fun, and the show has great comedic characters.

Each year, our Lunch and Learn group explores a compelling Biblical text—not only unpacking the more obvious meaning of the words and ideas but also how they interface with our own personal concerns and challenges. During 2022–2023, we will study excerpts from the Book of Samuel. How did our ancestors move from being a loose federation of tribes—the hallmark of the period of Joshua and the Judges—to a monarchy? What was the role of Samuel, the first prophet after Moses, in that process? How did Saul emerge as the first king of Israel? What caused the line of the monarchy to shift from Saul to David? The Book of Samuel is a treasure-trove of family intrigue, politics, religion and national hopes and tensions. It is a significant backdrop to the development of a people in its land—an ever-timeless text that speaks to our own era and reflects a gamut of human emotions and experiences. As our Lunch and Learn regulars will attest, our class is participatory and our conversations are lively. Newcomers are always welcome, as together we discover once again the power of the Bible.

Everyone in the congregation is invited to hear the story of Purim as our members read Megillat Esther! Cheer for Esther and Mordechai. Boo for Haman. Celebrate the miracle of Purim.

Celebrate Purim with dinner, followed by the second performance of our Purim Spiel. Co-hosted by B’nai Israel Sisterhood.

The Purim Spiel will be “Beauty and the (Purim) Feast” and will be a spin on Beauty and the Beast. The music and story are recognizable, upbeat and fun, and the show has great comedic characters.

12:00 PM BYO Dairy Lunch 12:30–1:30 PM Program Turks go to the polls in June, with its long-time ruler, the Islamist-oriented Recep Tayyip Erdogan, possibly vulnerable for the first time. Erdogan has frequently been a thorn in the sides of the U.S., NATO, and Israel. Makovsky will discuss the outlook for strategically-located Turkey and its impact on its neighborhood and on the Western Alliance.

Cafe Roma 12193 Darnestown Road Gaithersburg, MD Please RSVP to Marc Berlin - berlin.potomac@gamail.com - by Sunday, March 5.

All 5th and 6th graders are invited to join B’nai Israel clergy and staff at Pearlstone Retreat Center for a weekend of fun and games! Celebrate Shabbat and get to know new friends on this special weekend away.

All 5th and 6th graders are invited to join B’nai Israel clergy and staff at Pearlstone Retreat Center for a weekend of fun and games! Celebrate Shabbat and get to know new friends on this special weekend away.