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Events & Programs
adult education
Please click through the three tabs below to view all of our Adult Education programming.
Introduction to Judaism: The Big Questions
Thursday, Feb 2nd 7:30p to 9:00pA multi-denominational journey into the heart of Judaism taught by six Metro DC-area rabbis representing a variety of Jewish affiliations.

The Torah & Beyond: Lunch and Learn with Rabbi Jonathan Schnitzer
Monday, Feb 6th 12:30p to 1:30pDuring 2022–2023, we will study excerpts from the Book of Samuel.

Sex, Lies and Videotape: Biblical Stories You Didn’t Learn in Hebrew School with Rabbi Michael Safra
Tuesday, Feb 7th 7:30p to 9:00pThe Hebrew Bible is not rated G. In this course, you will examine some lesser-known narratives from the Tanakh.
Introduction to Judaism: The Big Questions
Thursday, Feb 9th 7:30p to 9:00pA multi-denominational journey into the heart of Judaism taught by six Metro DC-area rabbis representing a variety of Jewish affiliations.

Talmud on Tuesdays with Rabbi Mitchell Berkowitz
Tuesday, Feb 14th 12:30p to 1:30pJoin 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.

Sex, Lies and Videotape: Biblical Stories You Didn’t Learn in Hebrew School with Rabbi Michael Safra
Tuesday, Feb 14th 7:30p to 9:00pThe Hebrew Bible is not rated G. In this course, you will examine some lesser-known narratives from the Tanakh.
Introduction to Judaism: The Big Questions
Thursday, Feb 16th 7:30p to 9:00pA multi-denominational journey into the heart of Judaism taught by six Metro DC-area rabbis representing a variety of Jewish affiliations.

Talmud on Tuesdays with Rabbi Mitchell Berkowitz
Tuesday, Feb 21st 12:30p to 1:30pJoin 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.

Sex, Lies and Videotape: Biblical Stories You Didn’t Learn in Hebrew School with Rabbi Michael Safra
Tuesday, Feb 21st 7:30p to 9:00pThe Hebrew Bible is not rated G. In this course, you will examine some lesser-known narratives from the Tanakh.
Introduction to Judaism: The Big Questions
Thursday, Feb 23rd 7:30p to 9:00pA multi-denominational journey into the heart of Judaism taught by six Metro DC-area rabbis representing a variety of Jewish affiliations.

Tracing Your Jewish Roots: An Introduction to Jewish Genealogy
Sunday, Feb 26th 11:30a to 12:15pJoin representatives from the Jewish Genealogy Society of Greater Washington for a discussion of how to get started in tracing your Jewish roots.
The Art of the Gabbai with Cantor Sarah Bolts
Monday, Feb 27th 7:30p to 8:30pThis class will cover the skills that our gabbaim use every Shabbat: how they make members and guests feel welcome, facilitate the flow of a service, and the basics of correcting Torah reading. Members of our gabbai corps will join the class to share some of the expertise they have gained in their years of being gabbaim for the congregation. Please note that while graduates of this class will have acquired some new skills, they do not become gabbaim upon graduating, since gabbaim are appointed by the president of the congregation. Prerequisites for this class are ability to chant Torah, competence in Hebrew reading, and general familiarity with the flow of a Shabbat morning service. If interested, please contact Cantor Bolts to discuss eligibility.

Talmud on Tuesdays with Rabbi Mitchell Berkowitz
Tuesday, Feb 28th 12:30p to 1:30pJoin 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.

Jewish Wisdom from Moses to Maimonides with Rabbi Mitchell Berkowitz
Tuesday, Feb 28th 7:30p to 9:00pFrom the words of Moses through the writings of Maimonides, we will explore more than a millennium of Jewish wisdom.
Introduction to Judaism: The Big Questions
Thursday, Mar 2nd 7:30p to 9:00pA multi-denominational journey into the heart of Judaism taught by six Metro DC-area rabbis representing a variety of Jewish affiliations.
Scholar-in-Residence Weekend - Spirituality and Activism: The Legacy of Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel with Rabbi Gordon Tucker
Friday, Mar 3rd 6:15p to 8:00p6:15 PM Kabbalat Shabbat 7:00 PM Shabbat Dinner 8:00 PM Learning Session: Spirituality and Activism: The Role of the Prophet
Scholar-in-Residence Weekend - Spirituality and Activism: The Legacy of Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel with Rabbi Gordon Tucker
Shabbat, Mar 4th 9:00a to 1:30p9:00 AM Shabbat Morning Services with Sermon by Rabbi Tucker 12:30 PM Lunch and Learn: Heschel on Racism and Systemic Injustice

“And God Answered with a Voice:” The History and Theory of Trope with Cantor Sarah Bolts
Sunday, Mar 5th 9:30a to 10:30aThis class will explore the history and theory of trope, the system(s) for chanting biblical texts.

The Torah & Beyond: Lunch and Learn with Rabbi Jonathan Schnitzer
Monday, Mar 6th 12:30p to 1:30pDuring 2022–2023, we will study excerpts from the Book of Samuel.

Talmud on Tuesdays with Rabbi Mitchell Berkowitz
Tuesday, Mar 7th 12:30p to 1:30pJoin 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.

Monday Night at the Movies: Free Men
Monday, Feb 13th 7:00p to 8:45pIn German-occupied Paris, a young unemployed Algerian named Younes earns his living as a black marketteer. Arrested by the French police but given a chance to avoid jail, Younes agrees to spy on the Paris Mosque.

Rabbi Matthew Simon's Winter/Spring Book Review
Sunday, Mar 12th 10:00a to 11:00aJoin us for another riveting book review filled with anecdotes, fun facts, and discussion. An enjoyable experience not to be missed! And of course, there will be coffee and cookies!

Monday Night at the Movies: The Keeper
Monday, Mar 13th 7:00p to 9:00pThe Keeper tells the incredible true story of a German soldier and prisoner of war who, against a backdrop of British post-war protest and prejudice, secures the position of goalkeeper at Manchester City, and in doing so becomes a soccer icon.

Book Discussion Group: The Thread Collectors
Tuesday, Mar 14th 11:00a to 12:00pThe story of a Black woman in New Orleans and a Jewish woman in New York, both of whom are fighting for the cause of freedom and Union victory through their needlework during the Civil War.

Book Discussion Group: Like a Drop of Ink in a Downpour by Yelena and Galina Lembersky
Tuesday, May 2nd 11:00a to 12:00pTold in dual points of view, this memoir is a clear-eyed look at the reality of life in the Soviet Union during the Cold War, giving us an insider’s perspective on the roots of contemporary Russia.

Rabbi Matthew Simon's Summer Book Review
Sunday, May 7th 10:00a to 11:00aJoin us for another riveting book review filled with anecdotes, fun facts, and discussion. An enjoyable experience not to be missed! And of course, there will be coffee and cookies!

Monday Night at the Movies: Bliss
Monday, May 8th 7:00p to 8:45pWhen a 17-year-old girl is found unconscious and disheveled by the side of a lake, her family believes her chastity has been lost. To uphold the family honor they condemn her to death. A distant cousin is ordered to carry out the task. Instead, they embark on a surprising journey.

Book Discussion Group: We Love Anderson Cooper: Short Stories by R.L. Maizes
Tuesday, Jun 6th 11:00a to 12:00pIn this debut collection, characters are treated as outsiders because of their sexual orientation, racial or religious identity, or simply because they look different; humor complements pathos

Exile and Return: The Birth and Defining Moments of Ancient Judaism with John Ahn
Sunday, Feb 26th 7:30p to 9:00pWhat was the impact of involuntary and voluntary forced migration on Judaism, a diaspora religion? Without the historical experience of the exile and return, Judaism would not exist.

A Tragic Tale with Deep Roots: Jews in Ukraine
Sunday, Apr 23rd 7:30p to 9:00pJews have been residents of Ukraine for centuries – building communities, celebrating their culture, and sometimes enduring unspeakable horrors. During the 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries, Ukraine was one of the most densely populated Jewish communities on earth, balancing between vulnerability and communal growth. Despite their long tenure in the region, Jews have long been considered outsiders by their neighbors, suffering through persecution and massacres even after the Holocaust decimated most of their community.

Scientists in Synagogues: How God Works with David DeSteno
Sunday, May 21st 7:30p to 8:30pRecognizing the various intersections between science and religion, our culminating conversation is an opportunity to digest what has been learned throughout the course of the series, and then reflect back to the community the various ways in which we can learn and grow as modern, educated Jews, informed by science and inspired by faith.
Please click here to learn more about Adult Education.
Wed, February 1 2023
10 Shevat 5783
Livestream
Shabbat Services
Friday at 6:15 PM Saturday at 9:00 AM
announcements
All Things Purim
Click here for a list of events and celebrations.
Click here to purchase Purim Greetings and hamentashen from Sisterhood.
Rabbi Safra is Blogging His Mission to the South
Learn more.
The Perlman Four Brothers Cantor Concert is Back!
Join the Cantors Perlman for “Music Throughout the Generations—from Beatles to the
Borscht Belt.” Learn more.
Get Away with B'nai! Three Opportunities:
Florida Reunion on February 5. Join us.
Congregational Shabbaton on May 12 - 14. Join us.
Congregational Israel Adventure on June 18 - 29. Join us.
Thank you for voting us Best of Jewish Washington 2022.
Click here to see all of the awards including Best Preschool, Best Hebrew School, Best Senior Programming and many more.
B'nai Israel Buzz: Have Coffee with a Friend ON US!
This new program encourages meaningful conversations. Learn more.
Nursery School Registration for the 2023-24 Program Year Opens February 6!
Learn more about our award-winning program. Click here.
Join Our Shabbat Morning Livestream
Click here to access.
Explore Our Exciting Adult Education Offerings
Learn more here.
weekday services
Sunday | 9:00 AM & 8:00 PM
Monday–Thursday | 7:15 AM & 8:00 PM
Friday | 7:15 AM
*Service times vary on holidays.
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shabbat services
inclement weather policy
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We are accessible
B’nai Israel is proud to be accessible to all.
Large print siddurim, assistive listening devices and page magnifiers are readily available. Our entire building and grounds are wheelchair accessible. We can provide sign language interpreters upon request and subject to availability.