This list of upcoming events at Beth El includes religious services and other synagogue activities for the next ten days.
Weekday morning minyan is at 7:30 am, Monday through Friday, and weekday evening minyan is at 8:00 pm, Sunday through Thursday.
FRIDAY, MAY 9
- Beth El Celebrates Israel’s 60th Birthday: Join Beth El in celebration of Israel@60 featuring Alon Goldstein, pianist, at 6:00 pm, followed by our Friday Evening Service at 6:30 pm with Beth El’s own Ahavat Shir (adult choir), Shir Atid (children’s choir), and Marak Hayom (teen a cappella group). A traditional service will also take place at 6:30 pm in the Library. A festive Israeli dinner follows services. Reservations for dinner are now closed.
SATURDAY, MAY 10
- Early Shabbat Service: 7:30 am – Swoff Chapel.
- Iyun T’filah – Penetrating Prayer: 8:30 am – Library. This group, led by Hazzan Lubin, meets alternate Shabbat mornings and is designed to help you feel more comfortable and more able to participate in services. This year, we are studying the High Holiday services, customs, and traditions. For information, contact Hazzan Lubin at alubin@bethelmc.org or 301-652-8569, ext. 317.
- Main Shabbat Service/Confirmation: 9:15 am – Bender Sanctuary. This service will include Confirmation of our 10th graders, who will lead parts of the service and speak about their Religious School educational experiences. Join us in this celebration of the formal completion of the Religious School curriculum.
- Morning Babysitting for children 2 – 6 years of age: Room B102 in the Preschool wing.
- Junior Congregation: 10:00 am – Library.
- Nitzanim, our family service for children 6 years of age and under and their parents: 10:30 am – Multi-Purpose Room.
- Shitufim, our service for 3rd and 4th graders: 10:30 am - Zahler Social Hall. Parents are encouraged to participate as well.
- Come Learn from our Sages: 12:40 pm – Zahler Social Hall.
SUNDAY, MAY 11
- Morning Minyan: 9:00 am – Swoff Chapel.
- Men’s Club Breakfast: 9:30 am – Zahler Social Hall, followed at 10:00 am by Ira Bartfield, national and international leader in Jewish organizations, who will speak about current projects of the Jewish National Fund in Israel.
- Jewish Literacy 101: 11:00 am – Join Rabbi Rudolph at his home, 5214 Roosevelt Street, for coffee and conversation. This week’s topic: “Honoring Our Parents: What Does it Mean and do We Have to Even if They Don’t Seem to Honor Us?
- Spring Yoga: 6:30 to 7:45 pm – Bender Social Hall-B. Join us for yoga on Sunday evenings through June 15 (excluding May 25 and June 8). This class is for beginners and intermediates. Cost is $15/session. Drop-ins are welcome!
MONDAY, MAY 12
- Bridge: The greatest card game ever! 1:30 – 4:00 pm - Family Room. No partner or RSVP is needed. Sponsored by Beth El’s Senior Caucus. For information, contact Ricardo Munster at 301-652-8569, ext. 316, or rmunster@bethelmc.org.
-Talmud Class: 7:00 pm – Zahler Social Hall.
TUESDAY, MAY 13
- Mah Jongg: 7:00 – 9:00 pm. Our monthly Mah Jongg Night at Beth El. Beginning and experienced players welcome. Mark your calendars for the next game on June 3.
THURSDAY, MAY 15
- Vatikkim Third Thursday Luncheon at Noon. Cost is $7 for lunch; call Ricardo Munster at 301-652-8569, ext. 316, by May 13 to RSVP. Following lunch, Senior Caucus and Vatikkim co-sponsor the program at 1:00 pm, featuring the screening of the classic 1927 first talkie movie, “The Jazz Singer,” starring Al Jolson, with introduction and commentary by Seymour Gross. The program (rescheduled from January) is free, together with dessert.
- Annual Congregational Meeting: 8:15 pm – Swoff Chapel. Immediately after Minyan, join us for the State of the Shul report, 2008-09 budget presentation, and election of directors to the Board. The proposed budget and slate of nominees were mailed in early April.
FRIDAY, MAY 16
- Friday Evening Service: 6:30 pm – Swoff Chapel.
SATURDAY, MAY 17
- Early Shabbat Service: 7:30 am – Swoff Chapel.
- Main Shabbat Service/Andrew Ross and Hannah Jerison B’nai Mitzvah: 9:15 am – Bender Sanctuary.
- Morning Babysitting for children 2 – 6 years of age: Room B102 in the Preschool wing.
- Minyan Chaverim: 9:30 am – Room C207(Tel Aviv).
- 6th Grade Family Service: 10:00 am – Swoff Chapel, Zahler Social Hall.
- Gan Shabbat, our family service for children in grades K - 2 and their parents: 10:30 am – Multi-Purpose Room.
- Come Learn from our Sages: 12:40 pm – Zahler Social Hall.
- Shabbat Mincha, Seudah Shlishit, Ma’ariv, and Havdalah Service: 7:30 pm – Swoff Chapel and Zahler Social Hall. Everyone is welcome to join us for this moving and inspirational conclusion to Shabbat and welcoming of the new week.
SUNDAY, MAY 18
- Morning Minyan: 9:00 am – Swoff Chapel.
- Men’s Club: Join Men’s Club for the 36th Annual Kavod Awards Breakfast honoring David Goodfriend, for Service to the Community; Evan Krame, for Service to the Jewish Community; and to Hal Scheinberg, for Service to Beth El. Reservations are required for this event; RSVP forms are in the lobby lucite holders and the May Scroll. Questions? Contact Hattie Goodman at 301-652-2606.
- Prospective Member Open House: 10:30 am to Noon. The vast majority of our new members tell us that they learned about Beth El through friends or relatives. If you know someone who is considering joining a shul, point them towards this Open House – a great opportunity for them to learn more about Beth El and meet our clergy and other leadership! Anyone who joins Beth El for the first time receives a 50% dues discount.
- Spring Yoga: 6:30 to 7:45 pm – Bender Social Hall-B. Join us for yoga on Sunday evenings through June 15 (excluding May 25 and June 8). This class is for beginners and intermediates. Cost is $15/session. Drop-ins are welcome!