B'nai Israel Congregation

Zoom link: https://zoom.us/j/788352437 Password: 6301

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.

Wednesday, February 5 (continuing 14 more weeks, concluding May 28) 7:00–8:30 PM at Ohr Kodesh Congregation $150/person (includes textbook) Whether you want to learn more about your heritage, are considering converting, or are eager to incorporate more Judaism into your life, this course is for you. Throughout this 15-week course, students of all ages and backgrounds explore significant topics: rituals, holidays, Torah and values. Each cohort is guided by a multi-denominational team of rabbis who bring the past, present, and future together—including B’nai Israel’s own Rabbi Michael Safra, Rabbi Mitchell Berkowitz, and Rabbi Cheryl Stone. Presented by The Haberman Institute for Jewish Studies.

Join 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).

$36/member; $50/nonmember Did you know that Pharaoh later becomes the King of Nineveh in Jonah? Or that Abraham’s later wife, Keturah, is actually Hagar? The ancient rabbis loved to identify these time travelers of the text. Explore some of these fascinating characters of the text, and see why our sages tell us that two characters, sometimes separated by time and space, are really one and the same.

6:15 PM Kabbalat Shabbat Service 7:00 PM Shabbat Dinner Welcome Shabbat with your friends from the Day School community. We will start the evening with a Kabbalat Shabbat service. After the service we will share a Shabbat dinner.

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

During the Shabbat Morning Service Meredith Polsky co-founded Matan in 2000 and currently serves as Matan’s Senior Director of Programs and Partnerships. A 2017 Covenant Award winner, Meredith is a nationally sought-after speaker on Jewish Disability Inclusion and is often called upon as an expert voice in the field. She is co-author of the award-winning I Have a Question children’s book series (Jessica Kingsley Publishers), helping children with disabilities (and all children!) grapple with difficult topics. Meredith is a licensed clinical social worker and has a masters degree in special education. She lives in Gaithersburg with her husband and three children.

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.

These services are for the post-b’nai mitzvah teens of B’nai Israel. Our teens help to organize the service and lead it, often including tefillah and discussion, with support from staff and clergy.

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.

All B’nai Israel 4th Grade families are invited to celebrate Havdalah Under the Stars. With student-created Havdalah sets, we wish farewell to Shabbat and greet the week ahead with song, stars and community.

$30/person What kind of things happen at B’nai after hours? Join your friends for a night of fun and games while we “campout” at B’nai!