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Holiday Celebrations
Shemini Atzeret & Simhat Torah 2021
In Israel, Shemini Atzeret (the Eighth Day of Assembly) and Simchat Torah—the 8th and 9th days of Sukkot—are celebrated as a single holiday. Outside of Israel, the two days are separated, and their moods could not be more different. Shemini Atzeret is a serious moment when we recite Tefillat Geshem, the traditional prayer for rain in Israel, and the Yizkor memorial prayers. And then in the evening, we shift to joyous singing and dancing to celebrate the conclusion of our annual cycle of reading the Torah.
At B’nai Israel, each of these holidays brings hundreds of individuals for reflection and joy. In addition to singing and dancing with the Torah scrolls on Simchat Torah evening, we unroll the entire Torah so that we can visualize every letter and word of our most sacred text—this is always a popular event! On Simchat Torah morning, we honor every member of the congregation with an aliyah, a commitment that requires numerous reading stations to accommodate everyone. We also honor the commitment of two members to the congregation with the honors of Hatan/Kallat Torah and Hatan/Kallat Breishit, the last readings of Deuteronomy and first reading of Genesis respectively.
Click here for Shemini Atzeret & Simchat Torah service times.
simhat torah events
Simhat Torah BBQ
Tuesday, September 28
6:00 PM BBQ Tailgate Dinner
6:45 PM Simhat Torah Service
Start this night of fun and dance with a tailgate style BBQ dinner including hotdogs, hamburgers, vegetarian options, and delicious side dishes. Dinner will be followed by our lively Simhat Torah celebration. Registration closes Monday, September 20. Click here to register.
Sun, June 26 2022
27 Sivan 5782
LIvestream
Shabbat Services:
Fridays at 6:15 PM
Saturdays at 9:00 AM
announcements
Summer is Special at B’nai Israel
Learn more about our Summer Speaker Series, Summer Beit Midrash, and Outdoor Kabbalat Shabbat Services
High Holiday 2022 Information is Posted
We’re already hard at work to ensure meaningful High Holidays for our community. Click here for more.
BISNS Art Show
Click here to see the beautiful artwork our BISNS students created that was presented at this year’s Art Show.
Talmud Torah Registration Now Open
We hope your K–12th grader joins us for the 2022–23 year. Click here for information and to register.
Nursery School Registration is Open
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.
Click here for access information.
shabbat services
inclement weather policy
Click here for information.
Join Our Mailing List
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.
B'nai Israel Congregation
6301 Montrose Road, Rockville, Maryland 20852
301.881.6550
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