B'nai Israel Congregation

$50/person (transportation included) Come join your friends for a full day of chocolatey fun at Hershey Park! This event is open to all students in grades 6–12.

B’nai Israel clergy teach our 6th grade students about the mitzvah of tefillin, including how to properly wear them. Tefillin will be available for purchase at a generous discount thanks to the generosity of the Dollye and I. Wolford Berman Educational Initiative Grant. These workshops are open to all B’nai Israel 6th graders.

Wolf Loew, the last of his family, survived the Holocaust, first at Auschwitz then at the Flossenburg concentration camp. After liberation he made his way to the United States and eventually started a meadery in Mt. Airy, Maryland. His family started wine mead (also known as honey wine) production in 1870. We honor his life today with a visit to the meadery.

There was a housefire in 2011. The contents of a box that survived became the catalyst for a quest whose seeds were planted in 1983—the day Linda Ambrus Broenniman learned that her Catholic father was Jewish and what little family history she knew was a lie. Searching for truth, Linda pieces together the astonishing story of her Jewish ancestors—the Politzer family—their remarkable lives lost to her father’s secrets. Finding her roots brings Linda a new sense of who she is and a peace that now she can honor the memories of her family. Illuminating the destructive power of hatred, dehumanization, and injustice, this powerful story encompasses issues that still echo today. LINDA AMBRUS BROENNIMAN grew up in Buffalo, New York as the middle of seven children. Her parents were Hungarian physicians who survived World War II. A graduate of Swarthmore College, Linda went on to earn an MBA from Carnegie Mellon. She left mainstream corporate America to follow her own path as an entrepreneur, letting her passion for uncovering hidden potential in unexpected places guide her. It was this passion that fueled her search for her hidden family following an untimely incident that led to a stunning revelation. Linda lives in Great Falls, Virginia with Ed, her husband of 28 years, and their dog, Juno.

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

The Debt (I hr. 54 min.; English) Ex-Mossad agent Rachel Singer tells and retells the story of how she and her fellow agents David Peretz and Stephan Gold captured and killed a Nazi war criminal. But in flashbacks to Cold War East Berlin, younger versions of Rachel, David, and Stephan play out a significantly different series of events--and the gap between past and present takes its toll on all three in different ways. Starring Sam Worthington and Helen Mirren.

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.

12:00 PM BYO Dairy Lunch 12:30–1:30 PM Program I Believe Israeli Women is a global movement that stands in solidarity with Israeli women, men and children. Learn how JWI advocates on behalf of those who experienced sexual violence on and after October 7. Seed the Dream Foundation’s unwavering commitment to Israel and its people, combined with JWI’s expertise in fighting for a world free of violence against women and girls, drives this work. MEREDITH JACOBS is CEO of Jewish Women International (JWI). Since assuming the role of CEO in 2020, Jacobs has shepherded the development of numerous JWI initiatives. In the aftermath of October 7th, Jacobs led JWI’s partnership with the Seed the Dream Foundation to launch I Believe Israeli Women—a global movement standing in solidarity with Israeli women and fighting the denial of and disinformation about the sexual atrocities committed by Hamas.Jacobs is an award-winning journalist, author, and former editor-in-chief of Washington Jewish Week, and was named one of the “50 Most Influential Jews of 2020” by The Jerusalem Post.

Welcome Shabbat with joyful song, led collaboratively by members of the B’nai Israel community. Shabbat Zimra will begin with a wine and cheese gathering to enhance our Shabbat celebration.

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

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.

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.

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.