B'nai Israel Congregation

The Jewish Cartoon Workshop is the fun and exciting structured program for all B'nai Israel 5th & 6th graders and their families—creating their own comics about Jewish stories and then collects them into a comic book to share and enjoy. No drawing skill required, only a sense of humor!

Participants must attend all three dates. $130 materials fee per student B’nai mitzvah students and their grown-ups envision, design, and create a tallit that they will not only cherish but will be proud to wear as part of their Jewish ritual, an expression of their individual Jewish identity. When b’nai mitzvah and their families co-create a tallit it helps to reinforcethe concept of l’dor v’dor, the multigenerational aspect of becoming a b’nai mitzvah, transferring responsibility from one generation to the next and creating a stronger bond between family members.

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

Join us for a tour of the Smithsonian National Museum of American History (NMAH) through a Jewish lens. NMAH docent and B’nai Israel member Sylvia Rosenthal will highlight Jewish connections to “the greatest single collection of American history in the world.” Space is limited for each date. Advance registration required.

The Pickle Recipe (1 hr. 39 min.; English) Joey Miller is the undisputed king of Detroit party MC’s. He’s also a single father and deeply in debt; all his sound equipment gets destroyed in a freak accident; and his daughter Julie’s bat mitzvah is only weeks away and she’s counting on him to MC her party. After exhausting all of his options, he turns to his shady Uncle Morty, who agrees to give him the needed money but only under one condition- Joey must go and steal his grandmother Rose’s most prized possession: her famous top secret dill pickle recipe. And it’s a recipe which she has vowed to take to her grave.

Learn the art and logic of chanting Torah! Cantor Bolts, our weekly Torah reader, shares her skills and expertise with others in this practical skills-focused class. You too can learn to read the trope notes and chant from the Torah scroll. Participants in this class will work towards an opportunity to chant Torah on a Shabbat morning. Open to students at all levels. $36 members / $50 nonmembers

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.

Noar B'Yachad program for Lessans Talmud Torah teens in grades 7 and up.

Even though we read her story each year, the real story of Esther is much more nuanced and meaningful than it might otherwise appear to be. Using the new Megillat Esther (edited by Rabbi Martin S. Cohen and published by the Rabbinical Assembly), we will read through Rabbi Cohen’s expanded narrative translation of the text and see what we have been missing all these years!

Avi Eisen is the community Shaliach at Beth Sholom Congregation. He will present an overview of the incredible civil initiatives that were organized in real time to manage the crisis and support civil and military needs. We will talk about Israeli resilience and peoplehood and about lessons learned from the process of crisis management that was led by civil organizations. Avi grew up in Beit Shemesh, visiting Baltimore in the summers. With a BA in Middle Eastern Studies from Bar Ilan University, he served in the Israeli Navy, rising to Lt. Commander. Worked on Karish FPSO post-military. Entrepreneur, community organizer, runner, Daf Yomi student. Avi is married to Avia, and together they raise Shuva, their energetic dog. This is session #1 in a 4-session series, where we will explore different voices and perspectives from various segments of Israeli society in light of the ongoing situation in Israel.

Come together with other like-minded individuals for a morning of crafting and schmoozing. Bring whatever project you are currently working on (knitting, crocheting, needlepointing, drawing, scrapbooking, origami, or other creative technique). There will also be an opportunity to participate in a knitting/crochet blanket project for charity (all materials provided). We will meet in the Blumberg-Zalis Family Library which has comfy chairs and ample table space. For more information, contact Melissa Menschik (mblochmen@gmail.com). Please register below.

$150 (Registration includes a hard copy of the textbook and a class Shabbat dinner at Beth El) A multi-denominational journey into the heart of Judaism taught by Metro DC-area rabbis representing a variety of Jewish affiliations. No matter your background, the Miller Intro to Judaism Program, developed by American Jewish University, is here to guide you on your Jewish journey. Whether you’re soul-searching or seeking your community, the Intro Program will walk you through Judaism’s big ideas and the nuts and bolts of daily Jewish living. Presented by The Haberman Institute for Jewish Studies.

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 know new friends on this special weekend away.

All B'nai Israel 5th, 6th, and 7th graders are invited to a wonderful Shabbat weekend at the Pearlstone Retreat Center in Reisterstown, Maryland. We will travel together to Pearstone on Friday afternoon and return Sunday at approximately 12:30 PM.

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 know new friends on this special weekend away.

All B'nai Israel 5th, 6th, and 7th graders are invited to a wonderful Shabbat weekend at the Pearlstone Retreat Center in Reisterstown, Maryland. We will travel together to Pearstone on Friday afternoon and return Sunday at approximately 12:30 PM.

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.

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.