B'nai Israel Congregation

$50 for members; $60 for nonmembers Sharpen your Hebrew reading skills and develop your Hebrew vocabulary. Basic knowledge of the Hebrew alphabet is recommended, but all are welcome to participate in this class

Machar will get a crash course in being an IDF soldier from someone who’s already done it! Join us for an interactive Israeli experience.

Men’s Club will pick-up half the cost of the tickets to the game against the Pittsburgh Pirates, which will include a food and beverage credit.

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.

When we mourn the death of a family member or friend, we might remember the wonderful memories that we made with them, the lessons that they taught us, and the shared experiences of our relationship with them. As we manage grief, how can we remember them in such a way that honors them? Join Rabbi Mitchell Berkowitz and Roberta Drucker, our JSSA Synagogue Liaison, for a conversation about grief, memory, and growth. The program will begin with dinner, then move into this conversation, and will conclude with the evening minyan at 8:00 PM. All are welcome to attend, regardless of whether you have recently experienced loss. This program is generously sponsored by the Dr. Wayne I. Bernstein Minyan and Healing Endowment, which is dedicated to creating initiatives and enhancing opportunities for healing and support services, including but not limited in focus to bereaved families in their time of need. The program is free of charge, and you are invited to make an optional donation to the Bernstein Endowment to support future programs and initiatives. We recommend an $18 donation, but feel free to donate what you think is meaningful and appropriate.

This class will cover the skills that our gabbaim use every Shabbat: how they make members and guests feel welcome, facilitate the flow of a service, and the basics of correcting Torah reading. Members of our gabbai corps will join the class to share some of the expertise they have gained in their years of being gabbaim for the congregation. Please note that while graduates of this class will have acquired some new skills, they do not become gabbaim upon graduating, since gabbaim are appointed by the president of the congregation. Prerequisites for this class are ability to chant Torah, competence in Hebrew reading, and general familiarity with the flow of a Shabbat morning service. If interested, please contact Cantor Bolts to discuss eligibility.

Told in dual points of view, this memoir is a clear-eyed look at the reality of life in the Soviet Union during the Cold War, giving us an insider’s perspective on the roots of contemporary Russia. It is also a coming-of-age story, heartfelt and funny, a testament to the unbreakable bond between mothers and daughters, and the healing power of art.

Join Sisterhood for a day of bridge, canasta, mah jongg, and other table games. Come solo or bring your own teammates, games, and supplies. Cost is $36 per person, which includes a dairy lunch. To register, email to Sue Edwards at suzied25@gmail.com or Beverly Markowitz at bstubev@verizon.net. All are welcome to join, even if you are not yet a Sisterhood member!

$36 for members; $50 for nonmembers Begin this class weekly with the evening minyan (8:00–8:15 PM), followed by a class with Cantor Josh where you will learn the meaning of the prayers, the mechanics of the service, and the way to chant the prayers on a weekday evening.

3rd Graders will be receiving their Siddurim at this Service, followed by a family Shabbat Dinner. This program is for all Day School and Lessans Talmud Torah 3rd grade families.

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

Morning Torah Study returns to its original time on Saturday mornings at 9:00 AM! Join us on selected Saturday mornings for discussions about the weekly Torah parsha. Interested in leading a session? Contact Wendy Fanaroff. September 10 – Ki Teitzei September 17 – Ki Tavo October 1 – Vayeilech October 22 – Breshit November 12 – Vayarah November 19 – Chaya Sarah

Experience a different approach to Shabbat morning prayers. With a mixture of song, meditation, and discussion, we will explore an intentional path to enhance your prayer practice. Mindfulness Meditation helps us to connect to our Jewish values, creating greater perception in our minds for a connection to the Divine.