Volunteering at Manna Food Center Featured January 20 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 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 ...
Beth El Gala 2026 Featured January 24 at 7:30 pm - 11:59 pm Congregation Beth El 8215 Old Georgetown Rd, Bethesda, MD, United States Join Us for “A Night Out” – Beth El’s 2026 Gala! We are overjoyed to invite members, family, and friends to A Night Out, Beth El’s 2026 Gala, on Saturday, January 24 at 7:30 pm. Come join our vibrant community for an evening full of connection, entertainment, and spirit. The evening will feature a lively ... $180
Shabbat Shirah with Artist-in-Residence Micah Hendler Featured January 31 at 9:15 am Congregation Beth El 8215 Old Georgetown Rd, Bethesda, MD, United States Shabbat Shirah celebrates Moses and Miriam's song as they cross the sea of reeds and celebrate their freedom. Micah Hendler, son of longtime congregants Clifford Hendler and Deborah Neipris, is the founder of The Jerusalem Youth Chorus and Beth El’s own acapella group, Marak Hayom. He returns to Beth El as artist in residence for ...
The Art Spy: A Conversation with Author Michelle Young Featured February 5 at 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm In The Art Spy, Michelle Young tells the thrilling, true story of Rose Valland, a World War II French resistance hero. When the Germans occupied Paris in 1940, they made the Jeu de Paume museum their headquarters for processing the art they plundered in France, mostly from Jews. The Germans allowed Valland, a museum employee, ...
Family Camp Info Session February 8 at 9:30 am - 10:30 am Congregation Beth El 8215 Old Georgetown Rd, Bethesda, MD, United States Join the Beth El family camp co-chairs on February 8 between 9:30 and 10:45 am for an open house in the Beth El library to learn more about family camp, happening over Memorial Day weekend at Camp Saginaw in Pennsylvania. Learn more about what to expect and have your questions answered. For more information, reach ...
Chug Kriah Featured February 15 at 2:00 pm - 8:30 pm Chug Kriah meets regularly to read and discuss modern Israeli literature in Hebrew. Our next meeting will be on February 15, 2:00 pm, at a private residence. We are reading Al Tesaper L'achicha (“Don’t Tell Your Brother”) by Meir Shalev. For more information including the address, please contact Bill Kanter at kanterdsw@aol.com.
Bit O’ Megillah March 1 at 11:00 am - 11:30 am Congregation Beth El 8215 Old Georgetown Rd, Bethesda, MD, United States It's a mitzvah to hear the story of Purim! Families with children ages 0-6 are invited to join in the Purim fun at Lisa Arber’s storytelling performance of The Runaway Hamentachen. A Beth El Purim favorite, Lisa will delight young families as she portrays each of the Purim characters in a show complete with songs ...
Megillah Madness: A Very Wicked Purim Featured March 2 at 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm Congregation Beth El 8215 Old Georgetown Rd, Bethesda, MD, United States Join us for a Wicked good time as we explore Purim’s biggest questions: Who’s truly the most popular? What happens when Esther meets King Ahasuerus? Will the Jews dance through strife, or will Haman’s loathing steal the spotlight? Come see the story unfold as the Jews define their own destiny in this Wicked Purim spectacular!
Ma’ariv and The Whole Megillah Featured March 2 at 8:00 pm Congregation Beth El 8215 Old Georgetown Rd, Bethesda, MD, United States Join us on Monday, March 2, at 8:00 pm as Minyan Chaverim leads Ma’ariv and The Whole Megillah. This lively, upbeat, and communal service is led by lay leaders who like to bring some zaniness to the Megillah experience by adding character voices and other surprises to the reading. Everyone is invited to join in ...
Morning Minyan and Full Megillah Reading March 3 at 7:30 am - 9:00 am Congregation Beth El 8215 Old Georgetown Rd, Bethesda, MD, United States Morning minyan on Tuesday, March 3, at 7:30 am will also include a full reading of the Megillah. Because the minyan includes the Megillah reading, it will be a slightly longer minyan, approximately one and a half hours.
Israel: What Comes Next March 7 at 12:30 pm - 1:30 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 - 3:00 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 - 3:30 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.
Cafe Ivrit: Coffee & Hebrew with Yoel Featured March 11 at 10:30 am - 12:00 pm 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 ...
Kol Haneshama Friday Night Musical Service Featured March 13 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 ...
Fear No Pharaoh: American Jews and the Civil War Featured March 16 at 7:00 pm - 8:00 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 ...
Mental Health Professionals Breakfast Study Group Featured March 18 at 8:15 am - 9:30 am Congregation Beth El 8215 Old Georgetown Rd, Bethesda, MD, United States We invite Beth El Mental Health Professionals, both working and retired, to join us in person at Beth El for our Mental Health Professionals Study Group. Come for breakfast and a stimulating discussion of clinical issues viewed through a Jewish lens. Dr. Carol Miller will facilitate "What's So Great About Forgiveness?" with Hazzan Fradkin on ... $5
Lunch and a Program: Misconceptions in Nutrition Advice Featured March 19 at 12:30 pm - 2:30 pm Congregation Beth El 8215 Old Georgetown Rd, Bethesda, MD, United States Join Senior Caucus for lunch and a program on Misconceptions in Nutrition Advice, Thursday, March 19 at 12:30 pm. Former Chief Scientific and Medical Officer at the American Diabetes Association and nutrition researcher, Dr. Richard Kahn, will present an overview of nutrition research and why the results have limitations. He will also discuss common mis-information ... $10
Chug Kriah Featured March 22 at 7:00 pm - 8:30 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.
Congregational Second Night Seder Featured April 2 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm Congregation Beth El 8215 Old Georgetown Rd, Bethesda, MD, United States The Congregational Second Night Seder, conducted by Rabbi Harris, will be held on Thursday, April 2, at 7:00 pm in the Bender Social Hall, following the 6:30 pm Festival Evening Service. Reservations are limited and due by noon on Friday, March 20, or the first 150 people, whichever comes first. No refunds or phone reservations. ... $65
Support After Loss Featured April 4 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. ...
Yom HaShoah Film Screening & Discussion: Papillon Featured April 13 at 7:15 pm - 8:00 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 in Nazi Germany. The film beautifully and evocatively depicts Nakache's experiences. We will screen and discuss the film leading into the evening service at 8:00 ...
Kesher Nashim: Women’s Cancer Connection April 16 at 7:30 pm - 8:30 pm Kesher Nashim: Women’s Cancer Connection Kesher Nashim supports female cancer survivors and those with a new cancer diagnosis. Join Beth El women for confidential, lively discussions, friendship and support at our monthly Zoom meetings. Discussion/Support group for women newly diagnosed or survivors of cancer. One or two women from the group will be "On Call" monthly to talk to any ...
Yah Echsof Meditation and Exploration Group Featured April 18 at 12:30 pm - 1:30 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, ...
