Cafe Ivrit: Coffee & Hebrew with Yoel Featured March 4 at 10:30 am Coffee & Hebrew with Yoel Congregation Beth El 8215 Old Georgetown Rd, Bethesda, MD, United States Coffee & Hebrew at Beth El, led by our Israeli Shaliach, Yoel Gleizer, is a relaxed, welcoming space to practice conversational Hebrew while enjoying great coffee and good company. Each session blends everyday Hebrew, Israeli culture, music, humor, and real-life conversation, with a strong emphasis on connection and community. This series is perfect for anyone ...
Israel: What Comes Next March 7 at 12:30 pm Congregation Beth El 8215 Old Georgetown Rd, Bethesda, MD, United States Please join us for a Shabbat afternoon conversation with Tom Warrick to discuss the current events in Israel and what happens next. Tom is a member of the Beth El Security Committee who has three decades worth of experience with the State Department, Department of Homeland Security, and the Atlantic Council. He is a nonresident senior fellow with the Atlantic ...
Downsizing & Decluttering – Part 2 Featured March 8 at 1:00 pm Congregation Beth El 8215 Old Georgetown Rd, Bethesda, MD, United States Please join Beyond BEENs for a presentation by Jodi Eisner, MSW and Certified Professional Organizer, to discuss challenges and tips for downsizing and decluttering. The presentation will be followed by a panel of Beth El congregants who have successfully survived the process. There is no charge for the program but we request that you register ...
Chug Kriah Hebrew Literature Group March 8 at 2:00 pm Congregation Beth El 8215 Old Georgetown Rd, Bethesda, MD, United States Chug Kriah meets regularly to read and discuss modern Israeli literature in Hebrew. Our next meeting will be on March 8 at 2:00 pm via Zoom. We will complete our reading of Al Tesaper L’achicha (“Don’t Tell Your Brother”) by Meir Shalev. For more information including the Zoom link, please contact Bill Kanter at kanterdsw@aol.com.
How to Prepare for High School Featured March 10 at 7:00 pm Congregation Beth El 8215 Old Georgetown Rd, Bethesda, MD, United States Jared Friedland, Founder of the Bethesda-based test prep and college admissions firm The Playbook, and Steve Feldman, Founder of the tutoring, test prep, and admissions firm Private Prep, will be co-leading a special interactive workshop for 7th- and 8th-graders of Beth El. Among other topics, Jared and Steve will explain how: Students can use high ...
Getting Ready for College Admissions Featured March 10 at 8:00 pm Congregation Beth El 8215 Old Georgetown Rd, Bethesda, MD, United States Many of you have high school students who will be applying to college within the next few years. College admissions has changed so dramatically since all of us applied to school (way back in the 20th century). Today's students face an ever-expanding list of decisions: Should they take the SAT or ACT? Submit their scores ...
Yah Echsof Meditation and Exploration Group Featured March 14 at 12:30 pm Yah Echsof Meditation Group Congregation Beth El 8215 Old Georgetown Rd, Bethesda, MD, United States While classical Jewish teaching suggests "Naaseh V'Nishmah" ("first we do, then we understand"), Rabbi Zalman Schachter-Shalomi, founder of Jewish Renewal, advocated for an alternative approach. He believed that profound connection comes from first understanding one's inner Jewish self through study, practice, and meditation. This monthly gathering adopts Reb Zalman's path. We will use meditation, chant, ...
The Road Ahead: Preparing for High School Featured March 15 at 6:00 pm Big transitions can feel overwhelming – for kids and for parents. Ready for the Next Step is a two-part workshop series designed to give families clarity and confidence during these pivotal years. In Session 1, we’ll explore how to prepare middle schoolers for high school success, with practical advice, big-picture perspective, and space for real ...
The Road Ahead: Preparing for College Featured March 15 at 7:00 pm Big transitions can feel overwhelming – for kids and for parents. Ready for the Next Step is a two-part workshop series designed to give families clarity and confidence during these pivotal years. In Session 2, we’ll discuss how to thoughtfully guide high school students toward college and independence: with practical advice, big-picture perspective, and space ...
Fear No Pharaoh: American Jews and the Civil War Featured March 16 at 7:00 pm Congregation Beth El 8215 Old Georgetown Rd, Bethesda, MD, United States In 1860, there were 150,000 Jews living in the United States. How did this small minority, mostly recent immigrants, react to the fierce national debate over slavery? During his virtual visit, Richard Kreitner, author of Fear No Pharaoh: American Jews, the Civil War, and the Fight to End Slavery, will introduce noteworthy Jewish individuals who ...
Chug Kriah Featured March 22 at 7:00 pm Chug Kriah meets regularly to read and discuss modern Israeli literature in Hebrew. Our next meeting will be on Sunday, March 22, at 7:00 pm via Zoom. We will begin discussing Yonim b’Trafalgar (Pigeons at Trafalgar Square) by Sami Michael. For more information including the Zoom link, please contact Bill Kanter at kanterdsw@aol.com.
Yom HaShoah Film Screening & Discussion: Papillon Featured April 13 at 7:15 pm Congregation Beth El 8215 Old Georgetown Rd, Bethesda, MD, United States Papillon (The Butterfly) was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Animated Short. It depicts the life of Jewish French swimmer Alfred Nakache, who competed in the 1936 Berlin Olympics ...
Yah Echsof Meditation and Exploration Group Featured April 18 at 12:30 pm Yah Echsof Meditation Group Congregation Beth El 8215 Old Georgetown Rd, Bethesda, MD, United States While classical Jewish teaching suggests "Naaseh V'Nishmah" ("first we do, then we understand"), Rabbi Zalman Schachter-Shalomi, founder of Jewish Renewal, advocated for an alternative approach. He believed that profound connection comes from first understanding one's inner Jewish self through study, practice, and meditation. This monthly gathering adopts Reb Zalman's path. We will use meditation, chant, ...
BERS Open House Featured April 19 at 10:00 am Congregation Beth El 8215 Old Georgetown Rd, Bethesda, MD, United States Join us for a BERS Open House on Sunday, April 19, 10:00-11:00 am. Learn more about our dynamic school and community, meet our clergy, and hear firsthand from students and parents about what they love about BERS! Please RSVP using the form below. Questions? Contact Education Director Elisha Frumkin at efrumkin@bethelmc.org.
Shiva Leader Training Featured April 21 at 7:00 pm Congregation Beth El 8215 Old Georgetown Rd, Bethesda, MD, United States This session is for those interested in learning to lead a shiva minyan in someone's home. Beth El members often take on this leadership role to assist in the mitzvah of nachum avelim, comforting the mourner. Come join Rabbi Harris and Hazzan Fradkin if you would like to learn the skills and sensitivities needed to ...
Book Chat: The Director by Daniel Kehlmann Featured April 23 at 7:00 pm Congregation Beth El 8215 Old Georgetown Rd, Bethesda, MD, United States Our across-the-street neighbors, the Bethesda United Methodist Church (BUMC) book club, will join us at Beth El for an in-person book discussion of Daniel Kehlmann's The Director. This novel, based on the life of pioneering 20th century Austrian film director, G.W. Pabst, has earned rave reviews for its powerful, darkly comic World War II story of art, ego, ...
Economic and Demographic Developments in Israel Featured April 26 at 1:00 pm Congregation Beth El 8215 Old Georgetown Rd, Bethesda, MD, United States Professor Avi Weiss, President of the Taub Center in Israel, will discuss economic and demographic developments in Israel, drawing on the findings of the Center's 2025 "State of the Nation" report. Professor Weiss will specifically address the impact of the current Iran war. Thank you to those donors who have made meaningful contributions to Beth ...
Netivot Parent Information Session Featured April 28 at 8:15 pm Congregation Beth El 8215 Old Georgetown Rd, Bethesda, MD, United States We are excited about Netivot, our new program for teens, debuting next year for everyone in 7th-12th grades. Join us for a parent information session on Tuesday, April 28, at 8:15 pm to learn more about this exciting new opportunity for Jewish learning, connection, and leadership for teens. We’ll share what Netivot will look like, ...
Daniel Mann Literary Luminaries Lecture Featured May 3 at 10:30 am Congregation Beth El 8215 Old Georgetown Rd, Bethesda, MD, United States Please join us for the annual Daniel Mann Literary Luminaries Lecture featuring guest speaker Emily Tamkin, author of Bad Jews: A History of American Jewish Politics and Identities, and The Influence of Soros: Politics, Power, and the Struggle for an Open Society. Tamkin is a journalist by trade, and she writes and reports mostly on ...
Coffee Around the World & Hebrew Experience Featured May 3 at 12:00 pm Love coffee? Join Shaliach Yoel Gleizer for a unique, hands-on coffee workshop exploring flavors from around the world, plus learn how to order your favorite drink in Hebrew! Hosted in a warm home setting, this experience blends culture, language, and great coffee. The event will take place at a private home in Bethesda; address details ...
Chug Kriah Featured May 3 at 7:00 pm Chug Kriah meets regularly to read and discuss modern Israeli literature in Hebrew. Our next meeting will be on Sunday, May 3, at 7:00 pm via Zoom. We will complete our discussion of Yonim b’Trafalgar (Pigeons at Trafalgar Square) by Sami Michael. For more information including the Zoom link, please contact Bill Kanter at kanterdsw@aol.com.
Yah Echsof Meditation and Exploration Group Featured May 16 at 12:30 pm Yah Echsof Meditation Group Congregation Beth El 8215 Old Georgetown Rd, Bethesda, MD, United States While classical Jewish teaching suggests "Naaseh V'Nishmah" ("first we do, then we understand"), Rabbi Zalman Schachter-Shalomi, founder of Jewish Renewal, advocated for an alternative approach. He believed that profound connection comes from first understanding one's inner Jewish self through study, practice, and meditation. This monthly gathering adopts Reb Zalman's path. We will use meditation, chant, ...
Shiva Leader Training Part 2 Featured May 19 at 7:00 pm Congregation Beth El 8215 Old Georgetown Rd, Bethesda, MD, United States Join us to continue learning how to lead a shiva minyan in someone's home. Beth El members often take on this leadership role to assist in the mitzvah of nachum avelim, comforting the mourner. Come join Rabbi Harris and Hazzan Fradkin if you would like to learn the skills and sensitivities needed to provide this ...
Tikkun Leil Shavuot 5786 Featured May 21 at 6:30 pm - May 22 at 1:30 am Congregation Beth El 8215 Old Georgetown Rd, Bethesda, MD, United States Join us on Thursday, May 21, at 6:30 pm for Tikkun Leil Shavuot, a traditional night of learning. Shavuot celebrates the Israelites receiving and accepting revelation at Mt. Sinai. This transformative experience has defined and challenged the Jewish people ever since. Tikkun Leil Shavuot is a night of study based on the idea that we ... $12
Montgomery County Executive Primary Election Candidates Forum Featured May 26 at 7:30 pm Congregation Beth El 8215 Old Georgetown Rd, Bethesda, MD, United States Hear the candidates for County Executive before the Primary Election in June. Moderated by Beth El member Todd Gillman, a journalism professor at Arizona State University's Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication and former Washington Bureau Chief for The Dallas Morning News. Ask questions and get answers. In person and livestreamed. Free and open to the ...
Women of Beth El: Coffee & Hebrew with Yoel Featured May 28 at 7:00 pm Coffee & Hebrew with Yoel Congregation Beth El 8215 Old Georgetown Rd, Bethesda, MD, United States Join Women of Beth El for a special three-session edition of Coffee & Hebrew with Yoel at Congregation Beth El. Enjoy coffee, conversation, practical Hebrew, Israeli culture, and community in a relaxed café-style setting. Sessions take place on May 28, June 11, and June 25 from 7:00–8:30 pm. This series is perfect for Women of ...
