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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20261026T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20261026T210000
DTSTAMP:20260923T162640Z
CREATED:20260810T204023Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260923T162640Z
UID:10001758-1793041200-1793048400@www.bethelmc.org
SUMMARY:Volunteering at Manna Food Center
DESCRIPTION: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 with their children (age 11 and older) in community service. SSL hours are available. Please contact Jonathan Epstein at jonathan.epstein@hklaw.com to register or for more information.
URL:https://www.bethelmc.org/events/manna-1026/
LOCATION:Manna Food Center\, 9311 Gaither Rd\, Gaithersburg\, MD\, 20877\, United States
CATEGORIES:Engage,Featured Events,Good Deeds Day,Green Tikkun,Men's Club,Neshama,Tikkun Olam
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://www.bethelmc.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/5560db19-3aa1-004e-9b79-a54ab07ba301.png
ORGANIZER;CN="Men's Club":MAILTO:rjspector@rcn.com
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20261023T180000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20261023T210000
DTSTAMP:20261005T163344Z
CREATED:20260714T183614Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20261005T163344Z
UID:10001746-1792778400-1792789200@www.bethelmc.org
SUMMARY:Kol Haneshama Friday Night Musical Service
DESCRIPTION: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. \n\n6:00 pm – Light Dinner\n7:00 pm – Kol Haneshama Musical Service\n8:15 pm – Oneg with guest speaker\n\nFollowing the service\, we will welcome Izzy Klein\, who will speak on “When and Why Did it Become Politically Popular to be Anti-Zionist?” \nIsrael “Izzy” Klein is a co-founder of the Klein/Johnson Group\, a bipartisan lobbying and public policy firm located in Washington\, DC. He’s an expert at helping businesses\, associations\, and nonprofits manage complex public policy issues across Washington\, D.C.\, and has been voted perennially a Top Lobbyist in The Hill’s annual rankings. \nKlein is a veteran of both sides of the U.S. Capitol\, including serving as the senior communications strategist for Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY)\, where he steered a high-energy operation on a broad portfolio of issues related to the Finance\, Banking\, and Judiciary Committees. His previous work included serving as Managing Partner for Roberti Global and as a Principal in the Podesta Group. \nKlein is also a founding board member and the political committee chair of the Jewish Democratic Council of America (JDCA)\, a leading political force for Jewish Democrats. He also has been serving as Chairman of the Political Committee and is on the Executive Committee at JDCA. \nKlein holds a bachelor’s degree from Georgetown University in government and theology and serves on the board for its Institute of Politics. Klein has been published or quoted as a political and policy expert by The New York Times\, The Hill\, Politico\, Bloomberg News\, Financial Times\, The Boston Globe\, and other media outlets. \nDinner Cost: $15 per member\, $18 non-member\, $12 for children ages 6-12\, and $8 for children ages 2-5. No charge for children under 2. \nPlease register for dinner using the form below. Registration is not required to attend the service and oneg. \n
URL:https://www.bethelmc.org/events/kol-haneshama-1023/
LOCATION:Congregation Beth El\, 8215 Old Georgetown Rd\, Bethesda\, MD\, 20814\, United States
CATEGORIES:Featured Events,Kol Haneshama,Music,Neshama,Pray,Services,Shabbat
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://www.bethelmc.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/10-23-26_Kol-Haneshama-v2-1.png
ORGANIZER;CN="Congregation Beth El":MAILTO:info@bethelmc.org
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20261020T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20261020T210000
DTSTAMP:20260930T210045Z
CREATED:20260929T162913Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260930T210045Z
UID:10001799-1792522800-1792530000@www.bethelmc.org
SUMMARY:Jews & Brews
DESCRIPTION: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. \nPlease register using the form below.
URL:https://www.bethelmc.org/events/jews-brews-1020/
LOCATION:MD
CATEGORIES:Connect,Food & Drink,Men's Club,Neshama
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://www.bethelmc.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/10-20-26_Jews-and-Brews.png
ORGANIZER;CN="Congregation Beth El":MAILTO:info@bethelmc.org
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20261018T110000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20261018T120000
DTSTAMP:20260923T162340Z
CREATED:20260609T202411Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260923T162340Z
UID:10001712-1792321200-1792324800@www.bethelmc.org
SUMMARY:Book Chat - "Returning: A Search for Home Across Three Centuries"
DESCRIPTION: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 (and Jews’ exclusion from them) and now\, somewhat unpredictably\, is a committed Conservative Jew who negotiates a complicated balance between his Jewish allegiances and a challenging career in the secular world. \nBeyond Lemann’s personal story\, the book is a treasure-trove of intriguing and unusual topics. Some of the book’s most thought-provoking elements are Lemann’s reflections on the anxieties of Jews in America today\, drawn from his role as co-chair of the Columbia University Task Force on Antisemitism following October 7. \nThis program is sponsored by the Library Committee\, the Women of Beth El\, and Men’s Club. \nQuestions? Please contact Robin Jacobson at librarian@adasisrael.org.
URL:https://www.bethelmc.org/events/book-chat-1018/
LOCATION:Congregation Beth El\, 8215 Old Georgetown Rd\, Bethesda\, MD\, 20814\, United States
CATEGORIES:Featured Events,Learn,Library,Men's Club,Neshama,Women of Beth El
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://www.bethelmc.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/10-18-26_Book-Chat-2.png
ORGANIZER;CN="Congregation Beth El":MAILTO:info@bethelmc.org
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20261017T123000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20261017T133000
DTSTAMP:20261005T152147Z
CREATED:20261005T152146Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20261005T152147Z
UID:10001806-1792240200-1792243800@www.bethelmc.org
SUMMARY:Yah Echsof Meditation Group
DESCRIPTION: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\, and study to delve into our spiritual tradition and cultivate a deeper\, more meaningful connection to our Jewish identity.
URL:https://www.bethelmc.org/events/yah-echsof-1017/
LOCATION:Congregation Beth El\, 8215 Old Georgetown Rd\, Bethesda\, MD\, 20814\, United States
CATEGORIES:Adult Education,Engage,Featured Events,Mindfulness,Neshama
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://www.bethelmc.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/10-17-26_Yah-Echsof-Meditation.png
ORGANIZER;CN="Congregation Beth El":MAILTO:info@bethelmc.org
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20261016T183000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20261016T183000
DTSTAMP:20261006T190955Z
CREATED:20260505T203456Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20261006T190955Z
UID:10001684-1792175400-1792175400@www.bethelmc.org
SUMMARY:Yedid Nefesh Friday Night Musical Service & Blessing of the Animals
DESCRIPTION:Join Rabbi Megdal for a Friday evening musical service that blends familiar melodies and traditional liturgy\, woven together with kavanot (intentions) and short teachings. \nJoin us at the October 16 service for a special Blessing of the Animals in honor of Parshat Noach. We’ll celebrate the beloved animals in our lives and offer a blessing for them (while they stay cozy at home). After the blessing\, take home a rainbow ribbon\, a sign of God’s covenant with all living creatures\, to tie to a collar\, cage\, tank\, stable\, or scratch pad.
URL:https://www.bethelmc.org/events/yedid-nefesh-1016/
LOCATION:Congregation Beth El\, 8215 Old Georgetown Rd\, Bethesda\, MD\, 20814\, United States
CATEGORIES:Community Events,Featured Events,Neshama,Pray,Services,Yedid Nefesh
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://www.bethelmc.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Yedid-Nefesh-logo.png
ORGANIZER;CN="Rabbi Deborah Megdal":MAILTO:dmegdal@bethelmc.org
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20261009T180000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20261009T180000
DTSTAMP:20260930T150438Z
CREATED:20260406T175635Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260930T150438Z
UID:10001659-1791568800-1791568800@www.bethelmc.org
SUMMARY:Shir Yachad Friday Night Musical Service
DESCRIPTION:The first Shir Yachad of the season will now take place in November. We look forward to coming together with you then! \n  \n  \n 
URL:https://www.bethelmc.org/events/shir-yachad-1009/
LOCATION:Congregation Beth El\, 8215 Old Georgetown Rd\, Bethesda\, MD\, 20814\, United States
CATEGORIES:Neshama,Pray,Services,Shir Yachad
ORGANIZER;CN="Hazzan Asa Fradkin":MAILTO:afradkin@bethelmc.org
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20261003T123000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20261003T133000
DTSTAMP:20260923T162341Z
CREATED:20260714T164258Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260923T162341Z
UID:10001740-1791030600-1791034200@www.bethelmc.org
SUMMARY:Support After Loss
DESCRIPTION: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. Sponsored by the Clergy and the Nichum Aveilim (Comforting mourners) Committee. Rabbi Harris will lead the October session. \n
URL:https://www.bethelmc.org/events/support-after-loss-1003/
LOCATION:Congregation Beth El\, 8215 Old Georgetown Rd\, Bethesda\, MD\, 20814\, United States
CATEGORIES:Adult Education,Age and Stage,Connect,Neshama,Support After Loss
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://www.bethelmc.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/10-03-26_-Support-After-Loss.png
ORGANIZER;CN="Congregation Beth El":MAILTO:info@bethelmc.org
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20261001T193000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20261001T210000
DTSTAMP:20260923T162342Z
CREATED:20260903T191711Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260923T162342Z
UID:10001771-1790883000-1790888400@www.bethelmc.org
SUMMARY:Hearing Men's Voices
DESCRIPTION: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?” \nPlease RSVP using the form below. \n
URL:https://www.bethelmc.org/events/hmv-1001/
LOCATION:Congregation Beth El\, 8215 Old Georgetown Rd\, Bethesda\, MD\, 20814\, United States
CATEGORIES:Adult Education,Connect,Featured Events,Men's Club,Neshama,Online Events and Activities
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://www.bethelmc.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/HMV-e1599064817701-1.png
ORGANIZER;CN="Men's Club":MAILTO:rjspector@rcn.com
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20261001T093000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20261001T093000
DTSTAMP:20260923T162342Z
CREATED:20260909T185519Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260923T162342Z
UID:10001772-1790847000-1790847000@www.bethelmc.org
SUMMARY:Parenting Book Club: Nurture the Wow
DESCRIPTION: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. She is excited to explore this book together and learn from each other. We will meet at 9:30 am on the first Thursday of the month\, starting on October 1. Gatherings will start with a few minutes of coffee\, snacks\, and schmoozing\, followed by 45 minutes (we’re busy!) on one short chapter each month. Didn’t finish? Come anyway. We’ll make time to think\, laugh\, learn some Torah\, and talk with other parents who are figuring it out too.\nFree to attend. Register\, then pick up the book as a gift from Rabbi Megdal in her office Tues-Fri mornings (except holidays). Take a peek at the TOC here. \n 
URL:https://www.bethelmc.org/events/book-club-1001/
LOCATION:Congregation Beth El\, 8215 Old Georgetown Rd\, Bethesda\, MD\, 20814\, United States
CATEGORIES:Adult Education,Age and Stage,Engage,Featured Events,Neshama
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://www.bethelmc.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/10-01-26-Parenting-Book-Club-v3.png
ORGANIZER;CN="Rabbi Megdal":MAILTO:dmegdal@bethelmc.org
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260928T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260928T210000
DTSTAMP:20260923T162342Z
CREATED:20260810T203954Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260923T162342Z
UID:10001757-1790622000-1790629200@www.bethelmc.org
SUMMARY:Volunteering at Manna Food Center
DESCRIPTION: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 with their children (age 11 and older) in community service. SSL hours are available. Please contact Jonathan Epstein at jonathan.epstein@hklaw.com to register or for more information.
URL:https://www.bethelmc.org/events/manna-0928/
LOCATION:Manna Food Center\, 9311 Gaither Rd\, Gaithersburg\, MD\, 20877\, United States
CATEGORIES:Engage,Featured Events,Good Deeds Day,Green Tikkun,Men's Club,Neshama,Tikkun Olam
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://www.bethelmc.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/5560db19-3aa1-004e-9b79-a54ab07ba301.png
ORGANIZER;CN="Men's Club":MAILTO:rjspector@rcn.com
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260925T180000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260925T210000
DTSTAMP:20260925T205609Z
CREATED:20260714T183444Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260925T205609Z
UID:10001745-1790359200-1790370000@www.bethelmc.org
SUMMARY:Kol Haneshama Friday Night Musical Service
DESCRIPTION: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. \n\n6:00 pm – Light Dinner\n7:00 pm – Kol Haneshama Musical Service\n8:15 pm – Sukkot Kiddush and Oneg in the Beth El Sukkah\n\nRegistration for dinner is now closed\, but all are welcome to join us for services and the oneg in the sukkah.
URL:https://www.bethelmc.org/events/kol-haneshama-0925/
LOCATION:Congregation Beth El\, 8215 Old Georgetown Rd\, Bethesda\, MD\, 20814\, United States
CATEGORIES:Featured Events,Kol Haneshama,Music,Neshama,Pray,Services,Shabbat
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://www.bethelmc.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/kol-haneshema_1.png
ORGANIZER;CN="Congregation Beth El":MAILTO:info@bethelmc.org
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260923T133000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260923T153000
DTSTAMP:20260923T162343Z
CREATED:20260629T162755Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260923T162343Z
UID:10001726-1790170200-1790177400@www.bethelmc.org
SUMMARY:Joyful Living and Wise Aging
DESCRIPTION: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 served basis. \nCost of the class: $36 for Beth El members\, $50 for non-members of Beth El. \nTo apply\, contact wiseagingbethel@gmail.com. Application deadline: Friday\, September 4. The first class will take place on Wednesday\, September 23\, at 1:30 pm.
URL:https://www.bethelmc.org/events/joyful-living-0923/
LOCATION:Congregation Beth El\, 8215 Old Georgetown Rd\, Bethesda\, MD\, 20814\, United States
CATEGORIES:Adult Education,Age and Stage,Chai Society 60+,Learn,Neshama
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://www.bethelmc.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/09-23-26_Joyful-living-and-wise-aging-1.png
ORGANIZER;CN="Congregation Beth El":MAILTO:info@bethelmc.org
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260921T153000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260921T163000
DTSTAMP:20260902T172339Z
CREATED:20260831T231829Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260902T172339Z
UID:10001768-1790004600-1790008200@www.bethelmc.org
SUMMARY:High Holiday Seminar
DESCRIPTION: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 an impossible rupture in a marriage\, a family\, and the larger communities in which we live\, hope\, and love.
URL:https://www.bethelmc.org/events/high-holiday-seminar/
LOCATION:Congregation Beth El\, 8215 Old Georgetown Rd\, Bethesda\, MD\, 20814\, United States
CATEGORIES:Adult Education,High Holidays,Learn,Neshama
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://www.bethelmc.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/09-21-26_HHD-seminar.png
ORGANIZER;CN="Congregation Beth El":MAILTO:info@bethelmc.org
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260921T141500
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260921T151500
DTSTAMP:20260902T172339Z
CREATED:20260831T232641Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260902T172339Z
UID:10001769-1790000100-1790003700@www.bethelmc.org
SUMMARY:Yom Kippur Nigun Circle and Meditation
DESCRIPTION: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.
URL:https://www.bethelmc.org/events/nigun-circle-0921/
LOCATION:Congregation Beth El\, 8215 Old Georgetown Rd\, Bethesda\, MD\, 20814\, United States
CATEGORIES:Affinity Groups,Engage,High Holidays,Mindfulness,Neshama,Shaliach
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://www.bethelmc.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/09-21-26_YK-Nigun-Circle.png
ORGANIZER;CN="Congregation Beth El":MAILTO:info@bethelmc.org
END:VEVENT
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