B'nai Israel Congregation

All B’nai Israel teens (grades 7 and up) and their parents are invited to visit the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum together. We will be departing from B’nai Israel at 9:00 AM and returning at approximately 1:00 PM. We are able to offer this trip at no charge. We hope that your family will make the time to join us for this important experience as we show our children our journey from the darkness of the Holocaust to the light of the founding of the State of Israel.

$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.

We want to help YOU send your child(ren) to Jewish summer camp! Join Rabbi Berkowitz for breakfast to learn more about One Happy Camper (OHC), which offers grants to families choosing an overnight Jewish summer camp for the first time. OHC partners with our local Jewish Federation of Greater Washington to offer these grants. In addition, B’nai Israel offers generous scholarship funds for our campers at Camps Ramah. Learn more about those scholarships here.

Although the b’nai mitzvah process involves a great deal of effort on the part of the students, parents are a crucial part of the experience as well. Whether you are going through the process for the first time or you feel like you have it all under control, the B’nai Mitzvah Parents’ Field Guide is designed to engage all parents of 5th–7th graders in conversations and learning sessions with one another, facilitated by our clergy.

The only thing better than a pizza party is one where you get to make your own personalized pizza! Join Bonim in making some delicious masterpieces.

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

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.

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

Did you know that the first Saturday of February is International Ice Cream for Breakfast Day? All of our friends in Shabbat Youth & Family services are invited to join us for ice cream before services, and the congregation will enjoy ice cream at kiddush.

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.

Please join Maagal Maryland for our first Niggun Circle of the year at B'nai Israel Congregation. Maagal Maryland is a community group affiliated with Hadar’s Rising Song Institute, who gather to create an intentional, genuine, casual space to sing Jewish music. We’ll gather for Havdalah and singing together with Cantor Bolts and other song leaders. Lyrics, translations, and transliterations will be available, but we will also sing lots of songs with no words at all. No experience or singing ability required - everyone can sing! More information and RSVP here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/729696009016304/posts/892894022696501