Join Us

B’nai Israel has long defined itself as an Israel-centric congregation, eager to connect and engage with Israel and Israelis. Our Israel Affairs programming offer members of the congregation the opportunity to celebrate the Jewish State and immerse themselves into the process of shaping Israeli society.

If you would like to be included in our Israel Affairs listserv, sign-up here.

click here for upcoming israel affairs programs

yuval ifrah, Congregational Shlicha

My name is Yuval, and I am thrilled to join your community as your new shlicha. I am 26 years old and was born and raised
in Rishon Lezion, located in the heart of Israel. I am the oldest of three children and I have a large, loving extended family spread across the country, from Mitzpeh Ramon in the south to Migdal HaEmek in the north.

Growing up with such a diverse family has fueled my love for different traditions within the Jewish community. In the past several years I have gained valuable experience in both formal and informal education. I’ve had the privilege of working with teenagers in various youth centers, teaching English to 5th and 6th graders, and leading after-school activities for 1st to 3rd graders. Before this, I worked as a youth event coordinator at the municipality of Ra'anana where I organized a variety of events for teenagers, including small gatherings, theme nights, comedy and musical shows, Independence Day performances, and Memorial Day ceremonies.

Outside of my professional life, I love singing, drawing, and sculpting. I also enjoy meeting new people and exploring new places. At home, I share my life with my partner Yoel, who will join me as the new shaliach at Congregation Beth El, and our two beautiful cats, Grace and Doja. We
are both incredibly excited about this new chapter of our lives.

I am eager to share the beautiful and diverse cultures of Israel with you, especially my own Moroccan heritage. My aspiration is that together we will create a space  filled with
energy, creativity, and fun for all.

I look forward to connecting with each of you. Please don’t hesitate to introduce yourselves when you see me—I am here to connect, support, and grow with you all!

Nir Oz Partnership

In recent months, we have emailed about Kesher Nir Oz, an ongoing partnership between B'nai Israel, Beth El, and Ohr Kodesh with Kibbutz Nir Oz, which was devastated by the terrorist attacks on October 7. In addition to building this relationship through a Shavuot retreat and supplying them with gifts and necessities, each Shabbat we have been dedicating our prayers to the hostages from Nir Oz still held in Gaza and highlighting individual stories.

Our congregation will continue working closely with members of Nir Oz making sure they know they always have our unwavering support. If you would like to be a part of that effort and notified of future opportunities, please email Yvonne Klinger (Yvonne.klinger@gmail.com).

Community Resources

The Dr. Stuart Lessans Israel Action Center
Israel At War: Updates and Resources

Support the institutions of the Conservative Movement and sustain the Jewish soul!

MASORTI the congregational arm of the Conservative Movement in Israel, supports a pluralistic, egalitarian, and democratic vision for Judaism and Israel. The more than 70 Masorti congregations throughout Israel are a primary address for many of the religious and social needs of the 80% of the Israeli population who are not Orthodox. Unlike Orthodox congregations, Masorti’s spiritual services, b’nai mitzvah programs, nursery schools, camps, youth groups, and social services receive no support from the Israeli government.  Your contribution to Masorti is critical to help sustain a “third way” — not secular Judaism, not ultra-Orthodoxy.

There are two ways to contribute.  Support the movement as a whole or contribute directly to our sister congregation, Ya’ar Ramot in Jerusalem.  Contributors of $120 or more to Ya’ar Ramot will become overseas members of that congregation.  We look forward to welcoming Rabbi Arnie Bender of Ya’ar Ramot to B’nai Israel on Tuesday evening, September 27.

MERCAZ is the Conservative Movement’s party in the World Zionist Organization. Your membership in Mercaz enables the movement to secure millions of dollars of funding from the Jewish Agency for movement programs. Mercaz is one of the strongest voices in Israel on issues of Jewish pluralism.

Click here to download the Masorti/Mercaz flyer.