B'nai Israel Congregation

All 5th, 6th, and 7th graders are invited to join B’nai Israel clergy and staff at Pearlstone Retreat Center for a weekend of fun and games! Celebrate Shabbat and get to make new friends on this special weekend away.

$36/member; $50/nonmember There are many ways to understand the oft-cited statistic that Jews are the least “prayerful” of all religious communities in America. This course unpacks some of the mysteries of the traditional prayer service in an effort to alleviate discomfort in the synagogue. We will begin with an overview of the structures of Jewish prayer and then examine several of our most popular prayers. We will use Lev Shalem, the newest siddur of the Conservative movement, and find ways to use its tools to find meaning and otherwise enhance the prayer experience.

*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.”

We are excited to be working towards reinvigorating our Israel Affairs Committee. Join us if you are interested in learning more about the committee’s work and how you might get involved. Register below. This meeting will be hybrid, in-person at B'nai Israel and via Zoom. Zoom link will be emailed to registrants before the meeting.

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.

6:15 PM Kabbalat Shabbat Services followed by Potluck Shabbat Dinner Welcome Shabbat together with other families at Kabbalat Shabbat services, followed by a potluck dairy dinner. This is a fun and easy way to build new friendships, strengthen existing bonds, and bring your family’s recipes to the table.

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.

This is the first program in our new “How To Be a Mensh” series, hosted by the Sara & Samuel J. Lessans Adult Education Institute. Saturday, March 29 During the congregational kiddush (approximately 12:00 PM) One of the cornerstones of Jewish communal life is celebrating Shabbat with one another. Gathering with family and friends on Friday night as we welcome Shabbat is one the ways in which we honor and celebrate Shabbat while building relationships and strengthening communal ties. And it is actually much easier than you might expect to host! Join us for a panel discussion to learn more about how different families in our community celebrate Shabbat on Friday nights.