Summer 2025

The Summer brings lots of exciting changes and updates to B’nai Israel  programs and events. Please make sure to read through for the latest:

summer Kabbalat Shabbat Friday Evening Services

Beginning June 20 and continuing through August 22, Friday evening Kabbalat Shabbat services will begin at 7:00 PM, later than our usual 6:15 PM time. We look forward to seeing you!

Casual Shabbat

Casual Shabbat is back!
Saturdays, June 21–August 16
No ties, no jeans.  Take a "sabbatical" from the usual Shabbat routine and join us for Shabbat services and kiddush.

Summer Speaker Series

During the summer months, we invite members of our community to speak on Shabbat mornings and address the congregation about the interesting ways that they connect special experiences to their Jewish identities. All presentations take place during Shabbat services, at approximately 10:45 AM:

• June 28 – 3 “Aha” Moments: How Do We Connect to Israel? with Tali Arnolf Wohlgemuth
• July 5 – Reflections from March of the Living with Craig Strent & Sammy Strent
• July 12 – Centennial Summer Speaker Presentation with Rabbi Jonathan Schnitzer
• July 19 – From Belmar to Jerusalem and Back: The Journey of a Spiritual Seeker, Zionist, and Tropical Medicine Doctor with Dr. Stephen Hoffman
• July 26 – Think Jewishly, Act Locally: Stories from 10 Years of Organizing and Advocacy with Laura Wallace
• August 9 – Reflecting on a Semester in Israel with Lily Rulnick
• August 16 – Studying Tanakh Together: Celebrating a Siyyum for 929 with Tovah Reis & Wendy Fanaroff

To learn more about our Summer Speaker Series, click here.

summer beit midrash – TUESDAYS IN JULY 

7:30–9:00 PM In-Person and Recorded for later viewing
There is no charge to attend. Each session is independent. Register for those that interest you or for all.

July 1 

Judaism and the Afterlife
with Rabbi Michael Safra
Is “this” really all there is to experience? Jewish views of the afterlife are diverse, heavily influenced by different cultures Jews have experienced over the centuries. Through a brief exploration of biblical, talmudic, and other traditional texts, combined with class discussion and sharing personal beliefs, we hope to find a better understanding of Judaism’s views of Heaven, Hell, resurrection, reincarnation, and more. Click here to register.

July 8

To Donate (Your Body), or Not to Donate
with Rabbi Mitchell Berkowitz
Judaism places an emphasis on the value of saving a life (pikuah nefesh). At the same time, Judaism teaches us to maintain the utmost respect for the deceased (k’vod hamet), attending to timely and proper burial. How do we respond when these values come into conflict with one another? What does Judaism teach us about donating our bodies to science for medical research, given that it has the potential to save future lives, but compromises on the value of respect for the deceased? In this class we will explore the teshuvah of Rabbi Pamela Barmash on this topic. Click here to register.

July 15

Personalities of Prague
with Rabbi Cheryl Stone
Discover the fascinating lives and teachings of two great Prague personalities—the Maharal, known for his mystical insights and the legend of the Golem, and K'li Yakar, a master of Torah commentary and moral wisdom. This engaging class explores how their ideas shaped Jewish thought and still inspire us today. Click here to register.

July 22

Unrolling the Torah Scroll
with Cantor Sarah Bolts
How does a scribe go about writing a Torah scroll? Why does it look the way it does? Why are some of the letters big, small, backwards, or broken? In this class we will explore the physical Torah scroll and the process of creating it. Click here to register.

SUMMER book CLUB

Yom Kippur in a Gym by Nora Gold
with Rabbi Mitchell Berkowitz
Monday, July 28
1:00 PM In-person at B'nai Israel and via Zoom
Five strangers at a Yom Kippur service in a gym are struggling with personal crises. Lucy can’t accept her husband’s Parkinson’s diagnosis. Ira was rejected by his lover. Rachel worries about losing her job. Ezra is tormented by a mistake that ruined his career. Tom contemplates severing contact with his sisters. Then a medical emergency unexpectedly throws these five strangers together, and their lives are changed. Join us for a conversation about this novella. Please come to the session having already read the book. Limited copies are available for purchase from B’nai Israel for $15 each. 
Click here to register.

Summer wine & cheese gatherings

Fridays, July 11, August 15 
6:30 PM Wine & Cheese Reception  
7:00 PM Minha & Kabbalat Shabbat Service
Join us for a special wine and cheese gathering. Come and reconnect with us as we welcome Shabbat in a unique way! Join Cantor Josh and his talented friend from Argentina, Pablo Duchovny, for an enchanting Instrumental Kabbalat Shabbat service. Experience the magic of beautiful piano music creating a serene atmosphere until we reach Barchu, followed by harmonious melodies that will elevate your worship experience. Bring your spirit and your love for music! Let’s welcome Shabbat together on this memorable musical journey!

We look forward to seeing you this Summer! Have a safe and wonderful season.