B'nai Israel Congregation (Rockville, Maryland)
B'nai Israel Congregation | |
---|---|
Location within Maryland | |
Basic information | |
Location | Rockville, Maryland |
Geographic coordinates | 39°03′15″N 77°07′41″W / 39.054174°N 77.128007°WCoordinates: 39°03′15″N 77°07′41″W / 39.054174°N 77.128007°W |
Affiliation | Conservative Judaism |
Status | Active |
Leadership |
Rabbi Jonathan A. Schnitzer, Rabbi Michael J. Safra, Cantor Josh C. Perlman, Cantor Ilana Wolpert[1] |
Website |
www |
Architectural description | |
Architectural type | Synagogue |
Capacity | 3,500[2] |
Interior area | 125,000 square feet (11,600 m2)[2] |
B'nai Israel Congregation is a synagogue located in Rockville, Maryland. B'nai Israel is an egalitarian synagogue providing worship in the Conservative tradition.[3] B'nai Israel's mission is to study in the Jewish tradition, worship God, commit to social action, and address the needs of the Jewish people locally, in Israel, and worldwide.[3] The congregation consists of 1,200 families.[3]
Clergy and leadership
B'nai Israel's clergy includes Rabbi Jonathan A. Schnitzer, Rabbi Michael J. Safra, Cantor Josh C. Perlman, and Cantor Ilana Wolpert.[1] Rabbi Matthew H. Simon is rabbi emeritus, and Cantor Robert Kieval is cantor emeritus.[1] Deedee Jacobsohn serves as B'nai Israel's president.[4]
Religious programs and activities
B'nai Israel holds religious services, including morning and evening minyan,[5] Shabbat services,[6] and holiday services.[7]
B'nai Israel's preschool has a religious curriculum and enrolls children between 15 months and 5 years of age.[8]
B'nai Israel's religious school has classes for students in kindergarten through tenth grade.[9] Classes are held on Sundays and weekday evenings.[9]
Lectures and classes are held during the year at B'nai Israel to educate Jewish adults.[10]
Social action programs at B'nai Israel include school supply drives, fall and winter clothing drives, and blood drives.[11]
Award
In 2011, United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism's Solomon Schechter Awards presented B'nai Israel with a gold award for Jewish education for adults.[12] United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism noted B'nai Israel's "varied courses and programs provide learners with a greater appreciation for the scope of Jewish history and thought and offer conceptual grounding in many key aspects of Judaism and Jewish life."[12]
History
B'nai Israel was founded in 1925.[2]
Rabbi Matthew H. Simon attended a ecumenical worship service marking the presidential inauguration of George H. W. Bush in 1989.[13] Rabbi Simon read verses from Deuteronomy 10:17-10:18.[13]
In 1989, Rabbi Jonathan Schnitzer left B'nai Abraham Synagogue in Wilson, Pennsylvania, to join B'nai Israel Congregation.[14]
in 2002, B'nai Israel held a forum for candidates for governor of Maryland.[15] Kathleen Kennedy Townsend and Bob Ehrlich both participated, and Barry Sussman served as the forum's moderator.[15]
In 2006, B'nai Israel held a forum for candidates.[16] Participants included Martin O'Malley, candidate for governor of Maryland; Kristen Cox, candidate for lieutenant governor of Maryland; and Ben Cardin, candidate for United States Senate.[16] Jonathan Salant served as moderator.[16]
In 2007, B'nai Israel hosted a forum sponsored by the Jewish Community Relations Council of Greater Washington.[17] Presidential candidate Rudolph W. Giuliani spoke at the forum.[17]
References
- 1 2 3 "Clergy". B'nai Israel Congregation. Retrieved October 4, 2016.
- 1 2 3 Pollak, Suzanne. "B'nai Israel Congregation". Washington Jewish Week. May 22, 2013.
- 1 2 3 "Our Mission". B'nai Israel Congregation. Retrieved October 4, 2016.
- ↑ "Leadership". B'nai Israel Congregation. Retrieved October 4, 2016.
- ↑ "Daily Minyan". B'nai Israel Congregation. Retrieved October 4, 2016.
- ↑ "Shabbat Services". B'nai Israel Congregation. Retrieved October 4, 2016.
- ↑ "Holiday Services". B'nai Israel Congregation. Retrieved October 4, 2016.
- ↑ "Mission Statement & Educational Programming". B'nai Israel Congregation. Retrieved October 4, 2016.
- 1 2 "Talmud Torah Religious School". B'nai Israel Congregation. Retrieved October 4, 2016.
- ↑ "Adult Education Programs". B'nai Israel Congregation. Retrieved October 4, 2016.
- ↑ "Social Action Programs". B'nai Israel Congregation. Retrieved October 4, 2016.
- 1 2 "United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism presents the 2011 winners of the Solomon Schechter Awards for excellence in synagogue programming". United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism . 2011.
- 1 2 Cornell, George W. "President Seeks National Prayers". The Times Union (Albany, New York). January 21, 1989.
- ↑ Chin, Tyler L. "Rabbi's Departure Filled with Regrets, Anticipation". The Morning Call (Allentown, Pennsylvania). August 23, 1989.
- 1 2 Miller, S.A. "Candidates told to clean up debate". The Washington Times. October 14, 2002.
- 1 2 3 Emery, Chris; Rosen, Jill. "Warm Receptions for the Candidates". The Baltimore Sun October 23, 2006.
- 1 2 Brown, Matthew Hay. "Giuliani Talks Tough on Terrorism: Democrats Fail to Grasp Threat, He Says in Rockville". The Baltimore Sun. June 27, 2007.