B’nai Israel is selected to participate in Scientists in Synagogues!
Illuminating the World: The Intersections of Jewish Law and Science
Louis Pasteur said, “Science knows no country, because knowledge belongs to humanity, and is the torch which illuminates the world.” As a Jewish community, we are grounded by our ethical obligations to all of humankind, which are rooted in our Torah and sacred writings, compelling us to bring to our congregation and the Greater Washington community conversations that explore the intersections between our Jewish values and the theories and practices of modern science.
After submitting a detailed application and participating in an interview process, B’nai Israel has been selected by Sinai and Synapses to participate in Scientists in Synagogues! Each synagogue receives $5000 for programming, as well as guidance and mentorship from both Sinai and Synapses and AAAS DoSER to run a series of programs addressing issues around science and religion.
The scientists from B’nai who worked with Rabbi Berkowitz on the proposal and who will continue to work on developing our programs and bringing them to the congregation are:
Dr. Marni Hall
Dr. Stephen Hoffman
Dr. Heather Kalish
Dr. Fredric Messing
Dr. Barbara Nelson
Dr. Kim Lee Sim
Dr. Sam Zaremba
This project is part of an international program entitled "Scientists in Synagogues," a grass-roots initiative run by Sinai and Synapses in consultation with the American Association for the Advancement of Science Dialogue on Science, Ethics and Religion, and funded by the John Templeton Foundation, along with other individual donors.
upcoming events
Community Kick-Off Conversation: God-fearing Scientists and Science-loving Rabbis
Sunday, September 11
7:30–9:00 PM
Click here for details.
Did Covid Change the Rules?
with Dr. Alan Leshner, Rabbi Mitchell Berkowitz, Moderated by Dr. Marni Hall
Sunday, April 16
7:30–9:00 PM
Click here for details.
How God Works
with David DeSteno
Sunday, May 21
7:30–9:00 PM
Click here for details.
Thu, September 28 2023
13 Tishrei 5784
Livestream
Shabbat Services
Friday at 6:15 PM
Saturday at 9:00 AM
the latest
Hashta Atai, Now He Is Coming: Responding to Crisis in Israel (Kol Nidre 5784) by Rabbi Michael Safra
After The Death … Let Us Live (Yom Kippur 5784) by Rabbi Michael Safra
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B’nai Israel Mourns the Passing of Rabbi Matthew Simon, Rabbi Emeritus of B’nai Israel
Rabbi Simon, z”l, passed away on September 10. Please click here for more details on the life of Rabbi Simon.
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Sunday | 9:00 AM & 8:00 PM
Monday–Thursday | 7:15 AM & 8:00 PM
Friday | 7:15 AM
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