Yom Kippur Nigun Circle and Meditation September 21 at 2:15 pm Congregation Beth El 8215 Old Georgetown Rd, Bethesda, MD, United States In the stillness of the afternoon, between the intensity of the prayers, gather with Hazzan Asa Fradkin, Rabbi Rami Schwartzer, and shaliach Yoel Gleizer to enter the quiet power of melody. Through the ancient practice of nigun—wordless, winding song—we open the heart, settle the spirit, and draw close to something deeper. No experience needed; off-key voices most welcome.
High Holiday Seminar September 21 at 3:30 pm Congregation Beth El 8215 Old Georgetown Rd, Bethesda, MD, United States Join us on Yom Kippur for our High Holiday Seminar, led by Rabbi Harris. The seminar will feature a discussion with congregant Michelle Brafman about her newest book, Draw Near to Me. Draw Near to Me, the sequel to Michelle’s book Swimming with Ghosts, is a timely story about the emotional and spiritual work it takes to repair ...
Joyful Living and Wise Aging September 23 at 1:30 pm Congregation Beth El 8215 Old Georgetown Rd, Bethesda, MD, United States The Joyful Living and Wise Aging course is a six session weekly class beginning in September 2026. The goal is to help participants to explore a variety of facets of aging well from a Jewish perspective. The class is participatory and experiential in nature. Acceptance into the course will be on a first come, first ...
Kol Haneshama Friday Night Musical Service Featured September 25 at 6:00 pm Kol Haneshama Congregation Beth El 8215 Old Georgetown Rd, Bethesda, MD, United States Join us on for prayer, reflection, and song! Welcome Shabbat in a joyful, participatory, and engaging service, with melodies that calm, songs that enliven, and prayers that elevate. This lay-led service blends tradition and creativity, drawing on contemporary and innovative Jewish music from around the world. 6:00 pm - Light Dinner 7:00 pm - Kol ...
Volunteering at Manna Food Center Featured September 28 at 7:00 pm 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 in need of up 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 ...
Parenting Book Club: Nurture the Wow Featured October 1 at 9:30 am Congregation Beth El 8215 Old Georgetown Rd, Bethesda, MD, United States As a first-time mom, Rabbi Megdal is discovering how Jewish wisdom speaks to the joys and challenges of parenting small children. You are invited to join her for a fun and meaningful book club, as we read Nurture the Wow: Finding Spirituality in the Frustration, Boredom, Tears, Poop, Desperation, Wonder, and Radical Amazement of Parenting. ...
Hearing Men’s Voices Featured October 1 at 7:30 pm Congregation Beth El 8215 Old Georgetown Rd, Bethesda, MD, United States Beth El men are welcome to join us in person or via Zoom for our monthly gathering. Howie Stein will lead discussion of "Is Jewish Your Ethnic Identity?" Please RSVP using the form below.
Support After Loss October 3 at 12:30 pm Support After Loss Congregation Beth El 8215 Old Georgetown Rd, Bethesda, MD, United States With a special invitation to those who have had a recent loss, we will gather for a brief teaching and discussion led by a member of the Beth El Clergy. All are welcome to join this six-session series as often as they wish. Registration for each individual session is recommended in case there are updates. ...
Postponed Shir Yachad Friday Night Musical Service October 9 at 6:00 pm Shir Yachad Congregation Beth El 8215 Old Georgetown Rd, Bethesda, MD, United States Friday night is a time for community, song, and joyful noise. Everyone is invited to join us for this exciting service filled with music past and present that stirs the soul and welcomes Shabbat with joy and warmth.
Yedid Nefesh Friday Night Musical Service & Blessing of the Animals Featured October 16 at 6:30 pm Yedid Nefesh Congregation Beth El 8215 Old Georgetown Rd, Bethesda, MD, United States Friday night is a time for community, song, and joyful noise. Everyone is invited to join us for this exciting service filled with music past and present that stirs the soul and welcomes Shabbat with joy and warmth.
Yah Echsof Meditation Group Featured October 17 at 12:30 pm 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, ...
Book Chat – “Returning: A Search for Home Across Three Centuries” Featured October 18 at 11:00 am Congregation Beth El 8215 Old Georgetown Rd, Bethesda, MD, United States Join us for an in-person discussion at Beth El of Returning: A Search for Home Across Three Centuries. This multi-layered and moving memoir by renowned author-journalist Nicholas Lemann, former dean of the Columbia School of Journalism, follows Lemann's life journey. He grew up in an ultra-assimilated New Orleans Jewish home, shaped by Mardi Gras balls ...
Jews & Brews October 20 at 7:00 pm Join Rabbi Harris for some schmoozing and casual Jewish learning around the fire pit at his home. This month, we'll explore the topic "Jewish Wisdom: Life is Hard, Wonderful, and Surprising." Jews & Brews is sponsored by Men’s Club, but all Beth El members are welcome to attend. Please register using the form below.
Kol Haneshama Friday Night Musical Service Featured October 23 at 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm Kol Haneshama Congregation Beth El 8215 Old Georgetown Rd, Bethesda, MD, United States Join us on for prayer, reflection, and song! Welcome Shabbat in a joyful, participatory, and engaging service, with melodies that calm, songs that enliven, and prayers that elevate. This lay-led service blends tradition and creativity, drawing on contemporary and innovative Jewish music from around the world. 6:00 pm - Light Dinner 7:00 pm - Kol ...
Volunteering at Manna Food Center Featured October 26 at 7:00 pm 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 in need of up 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 ...
