Program Guide
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PROGRAM GUIDE FALL 2020 | 5781 2020–2021 | 5781 1 Dear Members of B’nai Israel, Our building may be closed, but our community is open. For months now we have reiterated this vital message about our beloved B’nai Israel Congregation. As we gradually resume certain in-person gatherings, such as Shabbat morning services with limited attendance, we are still planning to host the vast majority of our programs and events in the virtual space. We are excited to present the B’nai Israel Program Guide for Fall 2020. The Guide offers an overview of the programs and events that shape our active and dynamic community. Unless otherwise noted, the programs and events listed in this Guide will take place virtually. This Guide covers events that take place through January 2021. The Guide for Winter and Spring 2021 will be published later this fall. We know that the pandemic has presented numerous challenges to us as individuals, as families, and as a community. We hope that the programs and events planned for the season ahead will engage you in a meaningful way, sustaining us, empowering us, and enabling us to continue forward on our Jewish journeys. We wish to express sincere gratitude and appreciation to the staff and volunteers whose names appear throughout the pages of this Guide, and to all of you for your steadfast support of B’nai Israel. Please note that all dates and times are subject to change. Updates will circulate in the Scroll, Upcoming Events emails, and at www.bnaiisraelcong.org throughout the year. May 5781 be a year of health and well-being for each of us, Michael J. Safra Mitchell H. Berkowitz Senior Rabbi Associate Rabbi 2 FALL PROGRAM GUIDE Key ADULT EDUCATION TABLE OF Lectures, courses, and other programs that promote lifelong Jewish learning through the Sara and Samuel J. Lessans Adult Education Institute. CONTENTS BISNS B’nai Israel Schilit Nursery School programs designed for Worship ....................................... 2 families enrolled in the nursery school. September .................................... 8 October .......................................12 FAMILY Programs designed for all B’nai Israel children and their parents, November . 18 regardless of where they attend school. December . 24 HAZAK January ....................................... 28 Lectures for active retirees, typically one per month. Instructors. 32 B’nai Mitzvah ..................................37 LIBRARY Lectures, films, and programs sponsored by the Blumberg-Zalis Executive Committee & Board of Governors .......38 Family Library. Committee Chairs . 39 L.I.F.E. LECTURE Social Action Collections. 40 “Learning Is For Everyone” Lecture Series with speakers on a Staff Directory ................................41 broad range of relevant Jewish topics. MEN’S CLUB Social programming that builds community, typically for B’nai Israel men. Get Social With Us SISTERHOOD During this time of social distancing, make sure to stay Dynamic programming that enriches our families, our synagogue, connected with us via social media for latest updates, and the greater community. Facebook Live events, and more. SOCIAL ACTION Collections and events to give back to the community and engage in tikkun olam (repair of the world). TALMUD TORAH Join our group on FB Events for families with children enrolled in the Talmud Torah. https://www.facebook.com/groups/BnaiIsraelCong/ YOUTH Events for school-aged children, including, but not limited to, Follow us on Instagram our four youth groups (Bonim, Machar, Kadima, USY). Part of https://www.instagram.com/bnaiisraelcong/ the Carl and Doris Lane Youth Department. 2020–2021 | 5781 1 WORSHIP WORSHIP Join Our Services by Video Livestream or Telephone Some services are available for limited in-person attendance with advance registration. More information about all of our services at www.bnaiisraelcong.org/dailyminyan. 2 FALL PROGRAM GUIDE WORSHIP WEEKDAYS SHABBAT Daily Minyan Friday Evening Services 7:15 AM Monday–Friday 6:15 PM 8:00 PM Sunday–Thursday Our Friday evening services are participatory, filled with 9:00 AM Sundays and these Federal holidays: singing and ruah (spirit). Our rabbis share a teaching related to the parsha (Torah portion). Periodically, our services are September 7 (Labor Day) enhanced with special themes or followed by dinners and November 26 (Thanksgiving Day) programs. December 25 January 1 (New Year’s Day) January 18 (Martin Luther King Jr. Day) Saturday Morning Services 9:00 AM February 15 (Presidents’ Day) Our Shabbat morning services are celebratory and May 31 (Memorial Day) participatory, with baby namings, b’nai mitzvah, aufrufen July 4 (Independence Day) (aliyot for couples prior to their weddings), and other lifecycle events. Contact the clergy with questions. Minyan on other Federal holidays begins at the regular time. All changes to the regular service times are publicized on our website and in the Scroll. THE HEALTH AND SAFETY OF OUR COMMUNITY IS OUR TOP PRIORITY. For any in-person worship services or events that take place indoors at B’nai Israel Congregation, please visit www.bnaiisraelcong.org/guidelines www.bnaiisraelcong.org/guidelines for a detailed listing of our safety protocols. 2020–2021 | 5781 3 WORSHIP WEEKLY LEARNING FOR ADULTS ADULTS Year-At-A-Glance Friday Morning Torah Study (formerly Shabbat Morning Torah Study) Fridays (selected) September 19–20 Rosh Hashanah 10:00 – 11:00 AM September 28 Yom Kippur Engage with the weekly parsha during these interactive October 3–9 Sukkot discussions led by community members and by clergy. Contact Wendy Fanaroff with questions [email protected]( ). October 10 Shemini Atzeret October 11 Simhat Torah 9/11/2020 Nitzavim-Vayeilech November 13–14 Artist-in-Residence 9/25/2020 Ha’Azinu December 6 Mitzvah Day 10/16/2020 Bereshit 10/23/2020 Noach December 11–18 Hanukkah 11/6/2020 Vayera January 2 HAZAK Shabbat 11/20/2020 Toldot January 16 Sisterhood Shabbat 12/4/2020 Vayishlach January 23 Social Action Shabbat 12/11/2020 Vayeshev January 30 Teen Shabbat 1/8/2021 Shemot 1/22/2021 Bo February 6 Inclusion Shabbat February 13 Men’s Club Shabbat Talmud on Tuesdays Lunch & Learn February 26 Purim (formerly Shabbat Afternoon Talmud Study) March 13 Volunteer Shabbat with Rabbi Mitchell Berkowitz March 28–April 4 Pesah Resumes on Tuesday, October 13 and continues weekly May 17-18 Shavuot 12:30–1:30 PM June 5 Summer Send-Off A Shabbat afternoon favorite moves to the Tuesday lunch hour! We will continue our exploration of the talmudic tractate Beitzah, *All Jewish festivals begin on the preceding evening. focusing upon the celebration of our festivals. Newcomers are more than welcome to join us. No prior knowledge is necessary. L.I.F.E. LECTURES September 13 Debbie Cenziper October 25 Joan Branham November 15 Ambassador Ido Aharoni For additional details and to register January 31 Ambassador Akbar Ahmed for any of our programs, please visit February 21 Steven Weisman www.bnaiisraelcong.org/calendar. March 14 Marc Brettler May 2 JTS Evening of Learning 4 FALL PROGRAM GUIDE WORSHIP SHABBAT MAGIC YOUTH FAMILY Tot Shabbat Family Minyan (Ages 5 and under with parent) NEW 10:15 AM 9:30 AM Time! Tune in for these special Shabbat morning services with September 12 November 21 meaningful learning, spirited prayer, and engaging Torah reading. September 26 December 5 All are welcome. Contact Rabbi Berkowitz with questions October 3 December 19 ([email protected]). October 24 January 9 September 12 November 7 December 19 November 7 January 23 October 3 November 21 January 16 October 24 Junior Congregation (Grades K–6) Weekly (when there is no Family Minyan) 10:30 AM Shabbat Magic Opening Day Teen Minyan (Grades 7–12) Saturday, September 12 10:30 AM September 12 November 7 Join us for a magical (and October 17 December 5 virtual) return to our Shabbat youth services! Birthday Shabbatot September 12 November 7 January 9 October 3 December 5 Grade Shabbatot 2s – October 24 3s – March 6 Pre-K – December 5 Kindergarten – November 14 1st Grade – November 14 2nd Grade – January 9 3rd Grade – December 5 4th Grade – December 12 5th Grade – October 31 6th Grade – November 21 2020–2021 | 5781 5 WORSHIP HIGH HOLIDAYS 5781 WORKSHOPS SELICHOT zegilq Preparing for the Days of Awe: Israeli-Style Selihot Night Live: with Netta Asner-Minster, Congregational Shlicha A National Pre-Selihot Program Tuesday, September 1 Saturday, September 12 7:30–8:30 PM 9:00 PM Learn about the unique events and programs that take Join virtually for learning sessions and place during the month of Elul in Israel. From selichot musical moments. This coast-to-coast tours to Elul programs, this month offers ways to connect Conservative Movement experience will enrich our High for religious and secular communities in Israeli society. Holiday preparation. Rabbi Michael Safra will lead a The congregational shlicha program is made possible by a session at 9:00 PM, “God Isn’t Perfect, So Why Should I partnership with the Jewish Federation of Greater Washington. Be?” Past, Present, and Future: Reflecting on the Havdalah & Selihot Service Year that Was and Will Be with B’nai Israel Clergy with Rabbi Michael Safra Saturday, September 12 Tuesday, September 8 10:00 PM 7:30–8:30 PM Our cantors lead us in Havdalah and a medley of High The High Holiday season is a moment for reflection. We Holiday tunes, leading into the Selihot service. The look back in time and we look ahead to the future. The haunting melodies of this special service, traditionally liturgy stays the same, but the way that we relate to it changes as we recited at midnight, prepare us spiritually for the intensity change. We will look at the verses of the Hebrew Bible which give of the High Holiday season. Join us virtually for Havdalah structure to the Musaf service (Malchuyout, Zichronot, and Shofrot), and the Selihot service led by our clergy.