B'nai Israel Congregation

9:30 AM brunch 10:00 AM Speakers Antisemitic incidents rose by a sobering 261% in Montgomery County from 2021 to 2022. Moreover, although about 10% of Montgomery County is Jewish, 61% of hate bias incidents in the Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) from July 2022 to November 2023 involved antisemitism. The data is indisputable: antisemitism is rife locally in K-12 schools. Our two speakers are local leaders in the fight to end antisemitism in K-12 education. Rebecca Schgallis, founder of the Northern-Virginia-based advocacy organization United Against Antisemitism, is also the Senior Education Strategist for the CAMERA Education Institute, whose mission is to confront antisemitism and anti-Zionism in American education. Nicole Kashtan founded the Montgomery County Jewish Parents Coalition (MoCo JPC) to combat rising antisemitism in MCPS and celebrate the Jewish and Israeli heritage of Montgomery County. They will discuss the reasons for rising antisemitism in the public schools, strategies their organizations are using to reverse the trend, and opportunities for community involvement. To join us for this free event, which includes a Kosher-for-Passover breakfast, please register at bnaiisraelcong.org/event/bagelsandbanterApril2024—cosponsored by Sisterhood, Men’s Club, and the Committee Against Antisemitism. Contact Anne Rubinovitz (arubinovitz@gmail.com) or Gail Silberglied (gailrav@yahoo.com) for more information. All are welcome!

We are going on a field trip to visit our friends next door at the Cohen-Rosen House on Passover. Join us for songs, prayers, and stories as we walk to our neighbors for a friendly Passover visit. All children (Tots–6th Grade) must be accompanied by a parent or other grown-up.

Learn how to make mufleta and sfenj and get to know this special holiday, celebrated by Sephardi communities around the world. Open to young adults ages 21–37.

Join Sisterhood for a day of Bridge, Canasta, Mah Jongg and other table games. Come alone or bring your own teammates, game and supplies. All are welcome! $36/person includes a dairy lunch of assorted wraps, salad and dessert. Please RSVP by Thursday, April 25. Questions? Contact Sue Edwards (301-984-6329, suzied25@gmail.com) or Beverly Markowitz (301-254-2950, beverly.markowitz@yahoo.com).

Ido Reichman-Eisikovits will speak about the current ground operations in Gaza, sharing firsthand the account of the courage of the men and women of the IDF, and will provide insight on the emotional toll the war has taken on Israel’s society and what “tomorrow” holds. Ido is a proud Zionist Educator serving as VP of Green Horizons, a Jewish National Fund-USA affiliate working closely with thousands of youth guiding and teaching the next generation about Israel’s rich history of Zionist values. A proud Major in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) Reserves, Ido formerly served as an IDF-appointed advisor to Peru’s military, as Vice Chairman of the National Union of Israeli Students, and as the CEO of advertising agency Alhon Holdings. Green Horizons offers outdoor, educational activities to Israeli youth in grades 5-12. This transformative program takes participants on hiking and camping trips throughout the country, with the goal of building interpersonal and leadership skills and fostering a strong connection to the land of Israel. Separated from their smartphones, television and computers and immersed in nature, Green Horizons participants learn about Israel’s history, geography, and culture through various activities. The program emphasizes the importance of social participation, tolerance and personal responsibility, using group dynamics to help the youngsters acquire essential values and skills.

$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.

Hagigat HaSiddur, literally the Celebration of the Siddur, is an opportunity to celebrate all that our 3rd graders have learned so far in their formal Jewish education with the presentation of their own siddur and decorated siddur cover at a special family Kabbalat Shabbat service, followed by a festive Shabbat meal for all 3rd grade families. This event is preceded by a preparatory program on Sunday, March 17.

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.

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.

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.