B'nai Israel Congregation

More than a third of Jewish college students felt uncomfortable or unsafe at a campus event, avoided wearing items that identified them as Jewish, or had trouble taking time off for Jewish holidays, according to a recent American Jewish Committee survey. Todd Silberglied from the Israel on Campus Coalition and Micah Gritz, a B'nai Israel congregant attending Tufts University, will discuss the rise in antisemitism on college campuses, and what is being done to address the issue. RSVP to gailrav@yahoo.com.

B’nai Israel will be providing dinner for the residents of the Taft Court Interfaith Women's Shelter. We need your help in supplying various parts of the meal. The items can be purchased or prepared in your home. They should serve 6 to 8 people and be in disposable pans. There will be various opportunities for drop off of your items.

Noar B'Yachad program for Lessans Talmud Torah teens in grades 7 and up.

Adult Education Youth Men’s Club Tour of American History Museum Monday, October 16 10:30 AM Museum docent and B’nai Israel member Sylvia Rosenthal will lead a tour of the museum through a Jewish lens, highlighting Jewish connections to the museum’s collection. Out of the Ruins: Jewish Wisdom on Resilience with Rabbi Mitchell Berkowitz Tuesday, October 17 (continuing for 3 more weeks: 10/24, 10/31, 11/7) Throughout Jewish history, the Jewish people faced a number of situations that demanded resilience in the face of great difficulty. From our beginnings as a people enslaved in Egypt to years spent wandering in the wilderness, from the destruction of not only one but two of our spiritual homes, to exile after exile under foreign rule, much of Jewish history has required the ability to persevere in the face of uncertainty and loss. In our four sessions together, we’re going to focus on four specific moments in Jewish history that demanded resilience. This course, designed by Rabbi Avi Strausberg, is presented by Hadar’s Project Zug, with which B’nai Israel is a partner group.

Classes are in-person only at Temple Beth Ami $150 (Registration fee includes a hard copy of the textbook and a class Shabbat dinner at Temple Beth Ami) Back by popular demand! This is an excellent course for those interested in converting to Judaism, non-Jewish family members wanting to learn more to support their Jewish loved ones, and Jewish adults interested in learning (or relearning!) the basics. A multi-denominational journey into the heart of Judaism taught by Metro DC-area rabbis representing a variety of Jewish affiliations. No matter your background, this course is here to guide you on your Jewish journey. Whether you’re soul-searching or seeking your community, the program will walk you through Judaism’s big ideas and the nuts and bolts of daily Jewish living. Presented by The Haberman Institute for Jewish Studies.

Through 4 sessions, participants will go on a journey covering modern day challenges faced by the State of Israel. In this session, we will explore the current landscape of security threats and the innovative solutions that pave the way for Israel’s resilience. This event is the first of four in the series, Israel: Challenges and Breakthroughs.

Friday, October 20 6:15 PM – Kabbalat Shabbat Services 7:15 PM – Shabbat Dinner 8:15 PM – Learning Session, The Future of Shabbat Shabbat is a day on which one is not supposed to do work, but work and the way we relate to it are constantly changing. The boundaries between work and recreation are blurrier than ever, and we often use the same technologies, like smartphones, for both. This session will explore how our understanding of Shabbat has evolved over time and how we might expect it to evolve in the future. This program is made possible by the Dollye and I. Wolford Berman Educational Initiative Grant.

Saturday, October 21 9:00 AM – Shabbat Morning Services with Sermon by Dr. David Zvi Kalman, The Potential for Jewish Creativity 12:30 PM – Lunch and Learn, Artificial Intelligence and Jewish Thought Artificial intelligence has reached a critical breakthrough both in its abilities and its availability to the public. As the world grapples with this new technology, we will consider what Jewish thought has to offer the AI conversation and how AI will influence Jewish thought and practice in turn. Saturday Evening Learning Session, Jews and Cannabis The laws and culture around cannabis have changed rapidly over the last decade. As of this year, 75% of American Jews live in states where it is fully legal, and 95% live in states where it is legal for medical purposes. While many Jews use cannabis, the Jewish conversation around the substance has not caught up with this new reality. This session will examine what a Jewish perspective on cannabis might look like. This program is made possible by the Dollye and I. Wolford Berman Educational Initiative Grant.

B’nai Israel’s Gold Kippah Honor Society recognizes students for their proficiency in various prayers. New this year: Pre-b’nai mitzvah students will be “buddied” up with a post-b’nai mitzvah student. Older students will mentor younger students to build stronger tefillah skills while fostering friendships across grades, role modeling, and building an integrated community.

Saturday Evening Learning Session, Jews and Cannabis The laws and culture around cannabis have changed rapidly over the last decade. As of this year, 75% of American Jews live in states where it is fully legal, and 95% live in states where it is legal for medical purposes. While many Jews use cannabis, the Jewish conversation around the substance has not caught up with this new reality. This session will examine what a Jewish perspective on cannabis might look like. This program is made possible by the Dollye and I. Wolford Berman Educational Initiative Grant.