B'nai Israel Congregation

$36/members; $50/nonmembers (The registration fee includes the cost of the textbook for this class.) This is a beginner’s course to help you learn to read Hebrew, with a focus on the Hebrew of the siddur, or prayer book. The course will also explore aspects of Israeli history and culture.

An opportunity for parents to meet with Rabbi Cheryl Stone to discuss parenting joy and frustration, concerns and aspirations all within a Jewish context. Open to all parents regardless of their child(ren)’s school enrollment.

Homes Not Borders is to provide refugees and other forced migrants in the D.C. area with what they need to thrive and feel at home in the United States. Homes Not Borders provides furnishings and household items and other special touches that help make a house a home. They offer a way for those that have an artisan skill (or are willing to learn!) to earn supplemental income. Their storytelling program gives newcomers a voice and platform to tell their personal stories. A collection for Homes Not Borders will be part of the congregational Mitzvah Day on December 15. Co-sponsored by the Refugee and Immigrant Aid and Social Action Committees and the Men’s Club.

Hanukkah Palooza Featuring Jason Mesches Children's Music Writer and Performer...all the way from LA! Kids' PJ Dance Party Hanukkah Treats Shopping Please join us at 3:30 PM for shopping with Paperpie Books (formerly Usborne), Pixielanestacy Pick-Up, Back to Basics Kids, and Life Love Creations The concert will begin at 4:00 PM and Hanukkah snacks will be served. A quiet sensory-safe place will also be available. $5 BISNS children and children of B’nai members $10 for community/nonmember children All are welcome! Purchase tickets below.

Join Gesher for an evening trip at the zoo to enjoy the beautiful light display. Transportation is included.

The Archives of Historical and Ethnographic Yiddish Memories project conducted some 400 Yiddish-language interviews with elderly Jews in Ukraine. Drawing from these memories, Professor Jeffrey Veidlinger describes Jewish life in the Soviet shtetl, survival during the Holocaust, and experiences living as Jews under Communism. Despite Stalinist repressions, the Holocaust and official antisemitism, these Ukrainian Jews preserved their Jewish customs. These interviews are infused with memories of family life, religious observance, education and work. They testify to the survival of Jewish lives in Ukraine. Co-sponsored by The Haberman Institute. This program is made possible by the generosity of the Edith Black Endowment for Yiddish and Jewish Culture.

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

Herschel Greenbaum is a struggling but upbeat laborer determined to build a bright future for his beloved, growing family. One day, while working at his factory job, Herschel falls into a vat of pickles where he’s trapped for 100 years. Luckily, the brine preserves him perfectly. When he emerges in present-day Brooklyn, he finds that he hasn’t aged a day. When Herschel connects with his only surviving relative, his great-grandson Ben, the pair’s attempts to bridge their 100-year gap lead them to reconsider the true meaning of family. (1 hour, 28 minutes; English)

Jewish women have made many great contributions to science. Though a few have been given recognition, many have barely been acknowledged. We will discuss a number of these women, putting into context the historical times in which they lived and what their discoveries meant to the world at the time and now. Co-sponsored by the Blumberg-Zalis Family Library.

Come together with other like-minded individuals for a morning of crafting and schmoozing. Bring whatever project you are currently working on (knitting, crocheting, needlepointing, drawing, scrapbooking, origami, or other creative technique). We meet in the library, which has comfy chairs and ample table space, on the second Thursday of the month. For more information and to RSVP, contact Melissa Menschik (mblochmen@gmail.com).

Learn from the Jewish Relief Network Ukraine’s CEO Judi Garrett about its work in Ukraine over the past couple of years. Lifesaving support has been provided to tens of thousands of Ukrainians, including those who have been displaced from their homes. Judi will also share a history of the Jewish communities of Ukraine, what has happened over the past couple of years, and what we are planning for the future.

For all ladies! Catch up with old friends and connect with new ones.

In the modern world Jews have a respected place both within the insular, tribal community and the larger, universal society. We celebrate the freedoms associated with citizenship and acceptance in a global society, even as we are challenged by the consequences of going beyond the safety of Jewish community boundaries. The existence of a strong Jewish State alongside a largely successful diaspora Jewish community brings the question of tribalism vs. universalism into greater focus. The confluence of war in Israel and rising antisemitism in America makes the question even more complicated. Through a series of compelling presentations, Rabbi Tucker explores the enduring and evolving meaning of two prophecies from Isaiah: “The Torah shall come forth from Zion” (2:3), and “My house shall be called a house of prayer for all people” (56:7). Friday, December 13 6:15 PM Kabbalat Shabbat 7:00 PM Shabbat Dinner 8:00 PM Learning Session – Torah: For everyone or just for Jews? For whom is Torah intended? Is the audience Israelite/Jewish alone? Is there a hope that the whole world will embrace this way of life? We will look at rabbinic texts that attempt to work through this issue and consider the implications for today. Saturday, December 14 9:00 AM Shabbat Morning Services with Sermon by Rabbi Ethan Tucker 12:30 PM Lunch and Learn – Israel: Covenant, Land, Power, Responsibility An authentic Zionism embraces the deep responsibility for all who live in the land of Israel. In this session, we re-examine the roots of religious Zionism, the purpose of Israel, and why we should remain committed even when the going gets rough. 5:30 PM Havdalah and Learning Session – Should Jews Proselytize? It is a generally unexamined assumption that Jews should not proselytize, i.e., seek to convert others. We will explore the roots of this concept, along with alternative branches of our tradition that think very differently. This year’s Scholar-in-Residence weekend is generously sponsored by the M.B. Lewis Charitable Foundation.

In the modern world Jews have a respected place both within the insular, tribal community and the larger, universal society. We celebrate the freedoms associated with citizenship and acceptance in a global society, even as we are challenged by the consequences of going beyond the safety of Jewish community boundaries. The existence of a strong Jewish State alongside a largely successful diaspora Jewish community brings the question of tribalism vs. universalism into greater focus. The confluence of war in Israel and rising antisemitism in America makes the question even more complicated. Through a series of compelling presentations, Rabbi Tucker explores the enduring and evolving meaning of two prophecies from Isaiah: “The Torah shall come forth from Zion” (2:3), and “My house shall be called a house of prayer for all people” (56:7). Friday, December 13 6:15 PM Kabbalat Shabbat 7:00 PM Shabbat Dinner 8:00 PM Learning Session – Torah: For everyone or just for Jews? For whom is Torah intended? Is the audience Israelite/Jewish alone? Is there a hope that the whole world will embrace this way of life? We will look at rabbinic texts that attempt to work through this issue and consider the implications for today. Saturday, December 14 9:00 AM Shabbat Morning Services with Sermon by Rabbi Ethan Tucker 12:30 PM Lunch and Learn – Israel: Covenant, Land, Power, Responsibility An authentic Zionism embraces the deep responsibility for all who live in the land of Israel. In this session, we re-examine the roots of religious Zionism, the purpose of Israel, and why we should remain committed even when the going gets rough. 5:30 PM Havdalah and Learning Session – Should Jews Proselytize? It is a generally unexamined assumption that Jews should not proselytize, i.e., seek to convert others. We will explore the roots of this concept, along with alternative branches of our tradition that think very differently. This year’s Scholar-in-Residence weekend is generously sponsored by the M.B. Lewis Charitable Foundation.

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.

In the modern world Jews have a respected place both within the insular, tribal community and the larger, universal society. We celebrate the freedoms associated with citizenship and acceptance in a global society, even as we are challenged by the consequences of going beyond the safety of Jewish community boundaries. The existence of a strong Jewish State alongside a largely successful diaspora Jewish community brings the question of tribalism vs. universalism into greater focus. The confluence of war in Israel and rising antisemitism in America makes the question even more complicated. Through a series of compelling presentations, Rabbi Tucker explores the enduring and evolving meaning of two prophecies from Isaiah: “The Torah shall come forth from Zion” (2:3), and “My house shall be called a house of prayer for all people” (56:7). Friday, December 13 6:15 PM Kabbalat Shabbat 7:00 PM Shabbat Dinner 8:00 PM Learning Session – Torah: For everyone or just for Jews? For whom is Torah intended? Is the audience Israelite/Jewish alone? Is there a hope that the whole world will embrace this way of life? We will look at rabbinic texts that attempt to work through this issue and consider the implications for today. Saturday, December 14 9:00 AM Shabbat Morning Services with Sermon by Rabbi Ethan Tucker 12:30 PM Lunch and Learn – Israel: Covenant, Land, Power, Responsibility An authentic Zionism embraces the deep responsibility for all who live in the land of Israel. In this session, we re-examine the roots of religious Zionism, the purpose of Israel, and why we should remain committed even when the going gets rough. 5:30 PM Havdalah and Learning Session – Should Jews Proselytize? It is a generally unexamined assumption that Jews should not proselytize, i.e., seek to convert others. We will explore the roots of this concept, along with alternative branches of our tradition that think very differently. This year’s Scholar-in-Residence weekend is generously sponsored by the M.B. Lewis Charitable Foundation.

Join us for our annual teen Hanukkah party at B’nai Israel. There will be sufganiyot, latkes, dreidels, and more!