B'nai Israel Congregation

Celebrate Sukkot with your friends, pizza and the ever-popular candy sukkah! Hosted by the Talmud Torah Committee.

*Every Monday when B’nai Israel offices are open.

In the months following October 7th, the Hebrew University found itself with over 35% of its 28,000-member campus community sent to the reserves, housing thousands of displaced people, and providing emergency services to students, faculty, their families and more. The Hebrew University now finds itself faced with another challenge, academic boycotts and intellectual isolation, as the boycott, divestment, and sanctions movement (BDS) has gained strength across the globe. Please join us for lunch/dessert in the sukkah with Rector Tamir Sheafer of the Hebrew University, where he will share updates on the Hebrew University since October 7th, the evolution of academic boycotts and intellectual isolation on Israeli universities, and how the Hebrew University is meeting these challenges as it approaches its centennial year in 2025. Lunch will be served and is generously sponsored by Sheryl and Brad Schwartz.

Reserve a time slot for your immediate family to spend some time dining in our Sukkah Village in the Meditation Garden or drop by the Fanaroff Family Sukkah on October 21 without prior registration.

To learn more about the B'nai Israel Adult March of the Living Mission, please join Rabbi Michael Safra for an information session.

Join us as we continue our study of 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.

Reserve a time slot for your immediate family to spend some time dining in our Sukkah Village in the Meditation Garden or drop by the Fanaroff Family Sukkah on October 21 without prior registration.

We spend so much time gearing up for the High Holidays, but think very little about how to decompress when they have ended. Take time to reflect on your personal journey through the High Holidays: What did you learn? What surprised you? What are you carrying with you into the new year?

We look forward to seeing you. For the complete Shemini Atzeret/Simhat Torah schedule of services and programs, please click here.

Yizkor is at approximately 10:45 AM If you are not able to attend in-person, click here for virtual access.

Meet in the B'nai Israel lobby at 10:45 AM and walk over to the Cohen-Rosen House together. Tots must be accompanied by a parent.

We celebrate completing the Torah once again with a delicious barbeque-style dinner before the onset of Simhat Torah.

We look forward to seeing you. For the complete Shemini Atzeret/Simhat Torah schedule of services and programs, please click here.

We look forward to seeing you. For the complete Shemini Atzeret/Simhat Torah schedule of services and programs, please click here.

We look forward to seeing you. For the complete Shemini Atzeret/Simhat Torah schedule of services and programs, please click here.

Simhat Torah is one of the most fun days of the Jewish year. We celebrate the completion of our annual cycle of reading the entire Torah in synagogue. Join us for a special Tots Simhat Torah Experience with a short program followed by snacks and, of course, dancing with Torahs! We will also be celebrating Fonda Lowe, our former VP of Education, who is being honored that morning as Kallat Breishit.

We look forward to seeing you. For the complete Shemini Atzeret/Simhat Torah schedule of services and programs, please click here.

Join us on selected Saturday mornings at 9:00 AM for discussions about the weekly Torah parsha. Interested in leading a session? Contact Wendy Fanaroff. September 9 – Nitzavim/Vayeilech with Eric Luftman September 23 – Ha'azinu with Wendy Fanaroff October 14 – Breshit with Alan Siegel October 28 – Lech Lecha with Fonda Lowe November 4 – Vayera with Matt Lowe November 11 – Chaye Sarah with Adrienne Rulnick December 2 – Vayishlach with Rabbi Stone December 16 – Miketz with Judy Saks January 6 – Shemot with Rabbi Safra January 20 – Bo with Larry Kravitz

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. One in 40 Ashkenazi Jews carries a BRCA gene mutation. This is more than 10 times the rate of the general population. Breast cancer survivor, Amy Albalah will discuss how breast cancer affects the Jewish community, what you should know about genetics and the support available for Jewish families dealing with breast cancer, including information about Sharsheret, a non-profit Jewish breast cancer support organization. Amy grew up in Old Bridge, NJ and graduated from Rutgers College of Engineering as an Industrial Engineer. Soon after her breast cancer diagnosis in 2009, she began volunteering and raising money and awareness for Sharsheret.

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. Click here for more Gold Kippah information including the Gold Kippah Siddur and audio files.

Family Minyan includes spirited prayer, an engaging Torah reading, and lively conversation about the weekly Torah portion. There is no better way to prepare your child for their bar or bat mitzvah and build community connections than regular Shabbat attendance. This service is led by clergy and staff, including Rabbi Mitchell Berkowitz and Rabbi Cheryl Stone.

Designed for the youngest members of our congregational family, Tot Shabbat meets weekly to sing, learn, and pray together with Tot Shabbat leaders, Morah Juliann Goldman and Lily Pollack. Beginning July 1, this service is followed by a Family Kiddush.

Enjoy an evening of movies, milkshakes, and more at B’nai Israel!