B'nai Israel Congregation

Join us for a dynamic and informative panel discussion featuring women’s health experts. Take a proactive approach to your health with insights and advice from some of the area’s leading medical professionals. Presented by B’nai Israel Sisterhood, Neshama Chapter of Hadassah Greater Washington, and MedStar Montgomery Medical Center.

B’nai Israel will be providing lunch for residents of the Interfaith Works Women’s Shelter at Taft Court. 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.

$25/person (transportation included) Prove that you are the best bowler at B’nai and win some prizes at Bowlero in Gaithersburg.

$150 materials fee All B’nai Israel members (11 years and older) are invited to attend a three-session workshop to envision, design, and create their own unique silk painted tallit. This amazing opportunity reinforces the concept of l’dor vador, from generation to generation, and creates a stronger bond in anticipation of upcoming b’nai mitzvah. It is also an opportunity for an individual to practice hiddur mitzvah (beautifying a mitzvah), raising their spiritual practice to a higher level. Participants must attend all three dates.

The story of mass suicide at Masada has been told by our only contemporary source, Josephus, the first-century Jewish historian, priest, autobiographer and general. Although his histories may have been written for a Roman audience, this presentation evaluates the story in the context of ancient Jewish sectarianism and nationalism. The validity of the story will be probed, and taken into consideration will be the attitudes toward suicide and martyrdom as articulated by Josephus and other ancient Jewish sources. JONATHAN KLAWANS is Professor of Religion and Judaic Studies, Religion and Religious Literature of Judaism in Late Antiquity at Boston University. He received B.A.s from Columbia University and the Jewish Theological Seminary of America, an M.A. from New York University, and a Ph.D. from Columbia University. Dr. Klawans has authored: Heresy, Forgery, Novelty: Condemning, Denying, and Asserting Innovation in Ancient Judaism; Josephus and the Theologies of Ancient Judaism; Purity, Sacrifice, and the Temple: Symbolism and Supersessionism in the Study of Ancient Judaism; and, Impurity and Sin in Ancient Judaism. Cosponsored by the Biblical Archaeology Forum, BASONOVA, and The Haberman Institute for Jewish Studies.

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

$36/member; $50/nonmember The Jewish calendar is endlessly fascinating! It may seem arbitrary on the surface, but it’s really an intricate system designed to place the holidays in sync with the seasons, ensure that holidays can only fall on certain days of the week, and keep the Torah reading cycle perfectly aligned with the liturgical calendar. Take a deep dive into the Jewish calendar and learn about how it developed, how it works, and why the holidays never seem to come “on time.”

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.

One of the essential ways in which we prepare for Passover is by cleaning our homes and kashering our kitchens. The task may seem daunting, but there are some practical and helpful guidelines to help us prepare for the holiday without feeling burnt out before it even begins. Bring your questions and curiosities to this crash course.

Join Men’s Club for hot dogs & fixings with three members of the 2002 Maryland NCAA Championship Basketball team!

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 us for an evening of challah baking, schmoozing, and sipping with friends and community!

Join B’nai Israel and partner organizations to discuss social media and narratives. We’ll dive into how sometimes the truth does not matter in today’s discourse. Together, we’ll explore strategies for addressing misinformation online and, just as importantly, navigating human interactions—learning how to diffuse escalation without compromising our values. Click here to register.

6:15 PM Kabbalat Shabbat Service Join us for a special musical service as we welcome Shabbat.

Celebrate each month’s birthdays at the end of Youth & Family services with songs and treats!

Celebrate Sisterhood and its contributions to B’nai Israel and the greater community. Sisterhood women will be honored during this service.

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.

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.