B'nai Israel Congregation

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

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

The Book of Lost Names by Kristin Harmel Inspired by an astonishing true story from World War II, a young woman with a talent for forgery helps hundreds of Jewish children flee the Nazis in this “sweeping and magnificent” historical novel (Fiona Davis, bestselling author of The Lions of Fifth Avenue).

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

B’nai Israel sends a team of high school students to the Shabbaton and competition after studying Jewish texts throughout the year. Led by Rabbi Berkowitz, students work to apply these texts to a particular case study. This year the theme is “Privacy in the Digital Age,” and the case explores how traditional Jewish legal approaches to privacy can be applied to modern day social media platforms, especially around questions of data privacy.

$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.

B’nai Israel sends a team of high school students to the Shabbaton and competition after studying Jewish texts throughout the year. Led by Rabbi Berkowitz, students work to apply these texts to a particular case study. This year the theme is “Privacy in the Digital Age,” and the case explores how traditional Jewish legal approaches to privacy can be applied to modern day social media platforms, especially around questions of data privacy.

B’nai Israel sends a team of high school students to the Shabbaton and competition after studying Jewish texts throughout the year. Led by Rabbi Berkowitz, students work to apply these texts to a particular case study. This year the theme is “Privacy in the Digital Age,” and the case explores how traditional Jewish legal approaches to privacy can be applied to modern day social media platforms, especially around questions of data privacy.

Join us on selected Saturday mornings at 9:00 AM for discussions about the weekly Torah parsha. Interested in leading a session? Contact Wendy Fanaroff. September 9 – Nitzavim/Vayeilech with Eric Luftman September 23 – Ha'azinu with Wendy Fanaroff October 14 – Breshit with Alan Siegel October 28 – Lech Lecha with Fonda Lowe November 4 – Vayera with Matt Lowe November 11 – Chaye Sarah with Adrienne Rulnick December 2 – Vayishlach with Rabbi Stone December 16 – Miketz with Judy Saks January 6 – Shemot with Rabbi Safra January 20 – Bo with Larry Kravitz

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.

These services are for the post-b’nai mitzvah teens of B’nai Israel. Our teens help to organize the service and lead it, often including tefillah and discussion, with support from staff and clergy.

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.