Featured September 8 at 7:00 pm Israeli Author Maya Arad in Conversation with Lauren Strauss Celebrated Israeli author Dr. Maya Arad will introduce Happy New Years, the second of her books of fiction to be translated into English following The Hebrew Teacher, winner of a 2024 National Jewish Book Award. Happy New Years tells the story of an Israeli emigrant's life in the United States over five decades through her ...
Featured September 13 at 1:30 pm Women of Beth El Elul Shabbat Study Gather with Women of Beth El to reconnect and learn in preparation for the Days of Awe. We will study and have refreshments to celebrate Elul. Rabbi Megdal will present a talk, "Elul Is About Love," inspired by Rabbi Shai Held's new book, Judaism Is About Love. There is no cost to attend, but we ...
Featured September 13 at 8:30 pm Selichot Congregation Beth El 8215 Old Georgetown Rd, Bethesda, MD, United States Join Cantor Labovitz and Hazzan Fradkin for a service focusing on renewal and healing in the new year. Each Rosh Hashanah we have the opportunity to look inward, make amends and find ways to repair our relationships. Join us for this scared tradition of Selichot as prepare for the work of the New Year. 8:30 ...
Featured September 14 at 1:00 pm Shofar Blowing Workshop Greenwich Neighborhood Park 8400 Old Georgetown Rd, Bethesda, MD, United States Join us for a hands-on Shofar Blowing Class where tradition comes to life! Whether you're preparing for the High Holidays or simply want to explore this powerful mitzvah, this class offers step-by-step guidance on how to blow the shofar. Open to all ages and skill levels, no prior experience needed. Come learn the technique, meaning, and spiritual significance ...
Featured September 25 at 7:00 pm Volunteering at Manna Food Center Manna Food Center 9311 Gaither Rd, Gaithersburg, MD, United States Beth El volunteers will pack boxes of non-perishable food at the Manna warehouse in Gaithersburg for distribution to the needy in Montgomery County. We are limited to 12 volunteers age 11+.In addition to serving the greater community, one of the goals is to give all Beth El parents a way to participate with their children ...
September 28 at 10:00 am Conversation and Coffee on the Capital Crescent Trail Join the Women of Beth El for a walk down the Capital Crescent Trail and then for coffee at Starbucks afterwards (ladies only please). We will have three pace groups (brisk, medium, and leisurely walkers). Meet at the base of the trail in downtown Bethesda near Ourisman Honda. Registration is appreciated so that we can ...
October 2 at 3:30 pm High Holiday Seminar: Overcoming Hatred in Scripture: Teshuvah in Action Congregation Beth El 8215 Old Georgetown Rd, Bethesda, MD, United States How can sacred texts that once fueled division become sources of healing and respect? Join Rabbi Megdal and Dr. Heather Miller Rubens for a powerful conversation on the Jewish value of teshuvah—repentance, repair, and return—as a lens for reinterpreting difficult biblical passages. Together, they’ll explore how religious communities have begun the work of rereading scripture with ...
Featured October 5 at 1:00 pm Scolnic Kick-Off Lecture: Crisis in the Middle East with Thomas S. Warrick Congregation Beth El 8215 Old Georgetown Rd, Bethesda, MD, United States Join Congregation Beth El and the Rabbi Samuel Scolnic Adult Institute as we kick off the Fall semester with special guest lecturer, congregant Thomas S. Warrick. Thomas S. Warrick is a nonresident senior fellow with the Atlantic Council’s Middle East Programs and Director of the Council’s Future of the Department of Homeland Security Project. He ...
Featured October 8 at 9:15 am Second Day Sukkot Deli Sermon and Lunch Congregation Beth El 8215 Old Georgetown Rd, Bethesda, MD, United States Join us for the Second Day Sukkot Festival Morning Service on Wednesday, October 8, at 9:15 am. Rabbi Greg Harris will be giving the “deli sermon.” A tradition for Second Day Sukkot at Beth El, the deli sermon is a witty and humorous teaching around the readings for Sukkot that was first started by our ...
Featured October 9 at 2:00 pm Coffee with the Clergy Senior Caucus Coffee with the Clergy Congregation Beth El 8215 Old Georgetown Rd, Bethesda, MD, United States Senior Caucus Coffee with the Clergy on Thursday, October 9 from 2:00 to 3:00 pm in the sukkah. This every-other-month gathering is an informal time to catch up with fellow congregants, hear updates about what is happening at Beth El and in the news, enjoy light refreshments, and do some Jewish learning together. Rabbi Harris ...
Featured October 9 at 7:00 pm Women of Beth El Sukkah Social Congregation Beth El 8215 Old Georgetown Rd, Bethesda, MD, United States Join Women of Beth El for our annual Sukkah Social. We’ll gather in the sukkah and then move inside for some schmoozing, noshing, and a little Sukkot-related learning from special guest speaker Paula Whyman. Whyman will share her story and answer questions. Bad Naturalist is Paula Whyman’s first book of nonfiction. Her earlier book, You May See ...
October 9 at 7:30 pm Hearing Men’s Voices Congregation Beth El 8215 Old Georgetown Rd, Bethesda, MD, United States Beth El men are invited to join us in person at Beth El or via Zoom as Martin Sieff leads a discussion of "Persons Historical or Current with Whom I Would Like to Share Dinner." Please RSVP using the form below.
Featured October 11 at 7:30 pm Havdalah and Kumsitz in the Sukkah Congregation Beth El 8215 Old Georgetown Rd, Bethesda, MD, United States Please join Scott Glick, Hazzan Asa Fradkin, Beth El’s Shaliach Yoel Gleizer, Debra Ben Avram, and other Beth El musicians for a special Havdalah and Kumsitz in the Sukkah, on Saturday, October 11, 2025, beginning at 7:30 pm. Refreshments will be served. Oneg generously sponsored by Sababa Beach Camps. Please meet with Director Danny Mishkin, ...
Featured October 12 at 12:00 pm Shevet Group for 7th Grade Boys Congregation Beth El 8215 Old Georgetown Rd, Bethesda, MD, United States Shevet is a monthly program designed for seventh grade boys and youth who identify with boyhood or outside the gender binary. In this supportive group, participants build friendships and explore what it means to grow into their own identity—talking about real-life topics like masculinity, friendships, emotions, and Jewish values. Guided by a trained adult mentor, ...
Featured October 12 at 4:00 pm Beyond BEENs Happy Hour in the Sukkah Congregation Beth El 8215 Old Georgetown Rd, Bethesda, MD, United States Join Beyond BEENs (Beth El Empty Nesters) for our annual gathering in the sukkah. Reconnect with old friends and make new ones. Registration is now closed.
Featured October 14 at 7:30 pm Simchat Torah 5786 Congregation Beth El 8215 Old Georgetown Rd, Bethesda, MD, United States Please join us on October 14 at 7:30 pm for our annual Simchat Torah celebration, one of the most joyous and fun nights of the year. The evening including singing and dancing with the Beth El Band. The Simchat Torah celebration is sponsored in loving memory of David H. Topol z”l, whose joyful spirit and ...
Featured October 16 at 7:00 pm Book Chat: Your Presence is Mandatory by Sasha Vasilyuk Congregation Beth El 8215 Old Georgetown Rd, Bethesda, MD, United States Join us for an in-person book discussion at Beth El of Sasha Vasilyuk's Your Presence is Mandatory, winner of the 2025 Sami Rohr Prize for Jewish Literature and a California Book Award Gold Medal.
Featured October 21 at 7:30 pm Celebrating Sara Greenbaum Congregation Beth El 8215 Old Georgetown Rd, Bethesda, MD, United States After 25 years of working at Beth El (eight years in the Beth El office and 17 years teaching in Beth El Preschool), Sara Greenbaum retired at the end of August. Join us on Tuesday, October 21, 7:30-9:00 pm for a celebration honoring Sara as she begins her next life adventure. RSVPs are requested by ...
Featured October 23 at 7:00 pm Meet the Author: Sasha Vasilyuk Join us via Zoom for a talk with Sasha Vasilyuk, author of Your Presence is Mandatory, winner of the 2025 Sami Rohr Prize for Jewish Literature and a California Book Award Gold Medal. Vasilyuk's gripping novel, which is based on her own family history, illuminates both the Soviet past and the present-day Russia-Ukraine war. You ...
Featured October 23 at 7:00 pm Volunteering at Manna Food Center Manna Food Center 9311 Gaither Rd, Gaithersburg, MD, United States Beth El volunteers will pack boxes of non-perishable food at the Manna warehouse in Gaithersburg for distribution to the needy in Montgomery County. We are limited to 12 volunteers age 11+.In addition to serving the greater community, one of the goals is to give all Beth El parents a way to participate with their children ...
Featured October 26 at 2:00 pm - 3:30 pm Chug Kriah Chug Kriah meets bi-weekly to read and discuss modern Israeli literature in Hebrew. We meet at Beth El and in private homes. Our next meeting will be via Zoom on October 26 at 2:00, when we will discuss Bayta (Home) by Assaf Inbari. For more information, including the Zoom link, please contact Bill Kanter at ...
Featured October 26 at 2:30 pm Film Screening & Celebrating 10 Years of Support and Community Congregation Beth El 8215 Old Georgetown Rd, Bethesda, MD, United States Join us at Congregation Beth El as we close out Mitzvah Day with a program honoring the 10th anniversary of I Support the Girls and the deep connection between the organization and our synagogue community. We are honored to welcome Dana Marlowe, founder and executive director of I Support the Girls and a nationally recognized ... $36
Featured October 30 at 6:30 pm - 9:00 pm Voices from Kibbutz Re’im: Stories of Loss, Resilience, and Rebuilding Congregation Beth El 8215 Old Georgetown Rd, Bethesda, MD, United States Join us at Congregation Beth El for a powerful evening of learning, remembrance, and connection. Hear from Zohar Livne Mizrahi (50), a social worker and secretary of Kibbutz Re’im, who was evacuated with her family to Eilat after October 7. Mizrahi will share her community’s story in a 60-minute Q&A panel covering what life at ...
Featured November 2 at 11:00 am Herzl & Friends: When Zionism Was New British author Rachel Cockerell's Melting Point: Family, Memory, and the Search for a Promised Land has won enthusiastic acclaim for its innovative telling of the story of early Zionism, including the break-away group that settled Jews in the western United States through the Galveston Plan. Cockerell's look back at the past reveals that early 20th century concerns about ...
