B'nai Israel Congregation

Beginning on Monday, July 27, from 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM, and continuing on Mondays through August 17, the clergy and staff will work with all rising seventh graders, male and female, to practice putting on tefillin. These workshops will focus on imparting meaning to the mitzvah, as well as the practical aspects of how to properly wear them. Sets of tefillin will be made available to all rising 7th grade students at a highly subsidized price thanks to the generosity of the Dollye and I. Wolford Berman Educational Initiative Grant. I am excited to announce a special opportunity to acquire a pair of tefillin (regularly priced at $200) for only $50, thanks to the generosity of the Dollye and I. Wolford Berman Educational Initiative Grant. This special price is available to all B'nai Israel sixth graders. You can place your order by clicking here. Parents who would like to purchase their own sets can also receive steep discounts through the Sisterhood Gift Shop. Your clergy at B'nai Israel are passionate about making sure that all of our students, both males and females, have their own pair of tefillin, and that they all feel comfortable wearing them as part of weekday morning services. We want them all to understand the importance of this mitzvah, and feel that they are empowered to fulfill it as soon-to-be b'nai mitzvah. We hope that this generously funded program will make this possible. The special sale and training sessions are open to all B'nai Israel rising 7th grade students

Somehow the Torah always manages to speak to us in the present. Its lessons are timeless, and that is what makes it a sacred, living text. Explore the weekly Torah portion through the lens of Rashi, the essential biblical commentary. No prior experience required. All texts will be provided in both English and Hebrew.

Join us for a special virtual book launch of Radiance: Creative Mitzvah Living, the latest publication of our very own Danny Siegel. We will speak with Danny about his writing, his Torah, and his commitment to keeping mitzvot and tzedakah at the center of his life’s work. Rabbi Neal Gold, the volume’s editor, will join the conversation for readings and comments.

Learn from master magician Rabbi Berkowitz and become a magician yourself.

The annual Summer Beit Midrash returns to B’nai Israel this summer in a virtual and revised format. Texts are shared with participants ahead of time (in both English and Hebrew) so that you can study them before each class. Feel free to learn with a family member, friend, or study partner. Take note of your observations and questions and bring them to our class, led each week by one of the clergy. July 7 The Limits of Checks and Balances: A Talmudic Perspective with Rabbi Mitchell Berkowitz July 14 Privacy, Disclosure, & the Presumption of Guilt: Stories from the Talmud with Rabbi Michael Safra July 21 The Return from Captivity: The Biblical Books of Ezra and Nechemiah with Rabbi Mitchell Berkowitz July 28 Who Wrote the Bible: Questions of Biblical Authorship with Rabbi Michael Safra

Test your movie knowledge! Bring some popcorn and see who knows movies the best. Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82221265245?pwd=dzB1Zzl3OEUycTJiTW55MWlzcVNWUT09

Thursdays, June 25-July 30, 8:00 PM This unique case of curated Israeli wines has been assembled by wine educator Steve Kerbel. Each week Steve will hold a 30 minute Zoom wine tasting, when we will choose a white wine and a red wine to enjoy together and taste. We will learn about the wines, winemakers and wineries, about the wine growing regions of Israel and about the growing wine culture of Israel, built on ancient practices of winemaking in the Land of Israel. Once the case from Kosherwine.com has been purchased, you will receive the Zoom invitation and tasting and food pairing notes. Click here to purchase.

This program is especially great for families with pre-school-aged children, whether or not they are enrolled in Schilit Nursery School. This program will continue every week for as long as our building is closed.

In accordance with Montgomery County Phase Two guidelines, we are excited to bring our community together for an outdoor Friday Evening service on July 31 at 7:00 PM in the B’nai Israel parking lot. We will be led by Rabbi Berkowitz and Cantor Josh and look forward to joining our voices for the melodies of Kabbalat Shabbat in a safe, socially distant environment. Please BYOC (Bring Your Own Chair) – this service is not drive-in style. There will not be assigned spots, but the parking lot will be clearly labeled with directions where to park and where to gather to safely social distance. RSVPs required. If you’d like to attend this outdoor service, please contact Allison Karasik (allison@bnaiisraelcong.org) with the names of everyone in your party. Paper copies of the service will be provided, but please feel free to bring your own siddur. If there is rain in the forecast, we will make a determination about whether to hold the service by 4:30 PM on that day. (This service will not be available via Zoom. Our 6:15 PM service will be broadcast from Dweck Sanctuary via Zoom as on all other weeks.)