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Social Justice
In synagogue life, we all hear a lot about tikkun olam, “repairing the world,” but if you really want to fix things you need to roll up sleeves, listen, learn, and work for real change.
Together with Washington Hebrew Congregation we have spent the last year studying and engaging through our SEA Change program. Now, as we move on to Action, the B’nai Israel and Washington Hebrew Congregations’ SEA Change Coalition is partnering with two local organizations – AIM (Action in Montgomery) and JUFJ (Jews United for Justice).
SOCIAL JUSTICE EVENTS
Relationship Building with AIM
It’s time to register for our next Power of Relationship program. As a reminder, whether or not your participated in the program last fall, you won’t want to miss joining this time around! In addition to friends from Harvest Intercontinental, B’nai Israel and Washington Hebrew, we’ll have friends from several other area congregations joining us as well.
Sunday February 12, 12:45-3:00 PM, includes lunch
Washington Hebrew’s Julia Bindeman Center
11810 Falls Road, Potomac, MD
Click Here to Register
Also – VERY IMPORTANT – plan to join us for the AIM Accountability Action with Councilmembers and the County Executive on March 12 at 2:30 at the People’s Community Baptist Church in Silver Spring. Preregister here. We need EVERYONE to reach our goal of 500 people from across all AIM congregations to show the County Council our POWER!
Still not sure about joining us on February 12th? Here’s what folks who participated last time around had to say about the experience:
- "For me, the most important experience I had from the programs with Harvest Intercontinental, was the opportunity to step out of my comfort zone by sharing some life experiences with perfect strangers. I see this as a definite benefit for future advocacy events." –Audrey Suskind, B’nai Israel member
- “I have attended a couple of listening as well as relationship building sessions including one at B’nai Israel synagogue in Rockville. I have not only enjoyed the experiences but the opportunity to share and discuss issues of social justice with other people of different faiths and backgrounds. It has also helped me see the commonality of issues. As we build relationships, we will hopefully build stronger advocacy to speak for the marginalized in our communities.” –Sadatu Clarke, Harvest Intercontinental Church member
- “The AIM training with Harvest Intercontinental introduced me to the ways of organizing through relationship-building and storytelling, as well as to new friends and allies for social justice. Doing this through the lens of Judaism and other faiths makes it all the more meaningful. I’m now a delegate from B’nai Israel to AIM and looking forward to learning and doing much more.” –Mona Levine, B’nai Israel member
Scotland AME Zion Church Restoration Project
In case you missed it … on January 14th during Shabbat Services, we were joined by members of the Scotland AME Zion Church as well as Paul Tukey, Director of Environmental Stewardship at Glenstone, who is deeply involved with the 2nd Century Project.
You can watch LaTisha Gasaway-Paul and Chuck Williams’ remarks here. To learn how you can get involved, contact Paul Tukey at Paul.Tukey@glenstone.org. And, Save the Date for a Community Juneteenth Celebration on June 19, 2023. More details to be announced.
JUFJ statewide events
Maryland Community Meeting
December 21
7:30-9:30 PM on Zoom
Join JUFJ members from across the state as we light Chanukah candles and learn about budget advocacy from the Maryland Center on Economic Policy. Register here to receive the Zoom link.
Legislative District Meetings
JUFJ will be meeting with state legislators to discuss our priorities and hear what their focus will be in the upcoming General Assembly. Click here to find out when your state district meeting will be and then join us!
Don’t know your district? Click here to find out.
Annapolis Academy: General Assembly 101
Want to learn about how the legislative process works in the General Assembly? Join this educational event, and learn more about JUFJs plans for the 2023 legislative session. Register here.
If you want to learn more about all of JUFJs statewide priority issues, click here.
JUFJ MOCO MEETINGS
Get Involved with Local Issues
What local issues are important to you? Join one of JUFJ’s Montgomery County team meetings to learn more about current advocacy efforts. All are welcome! You can find information about upcoming meetings here.
JOIN US
Be sure you never miss a social justice opportunity with B’nai Israel! Join the email group, and receive notices about all upcoming events right in your mailbox. Click here to add your name and email.
Questions about AIM? Contact Mona Levine.
Questions about JUFJ ? Contact Deedee Jacobsohn.
Questions about SEA Change and other ways to get involved? Contact Marla Schulman.
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
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Explore Our Exciting Adult Education Offerings
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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.