College Parent Social October 14 at 7:00 pm Congregation Beth El 8215 Old Georgetown Rd, Bethesda, MD, United States They've unpacked, settled in, and (hopefully) done their first load of laundry. Now it's our turn to celebrate their college send-off. Parents of Beth El's college students are invited to a fall social hosted at a congregant's home in Bethesda on Wednesday, October 14, at 7:00 pm. Raise a glass, share a laugh, and connect ...
Mental Health Professionals Study Group Featured October 15 at 8:15 am Congregation Beth El 8215 Old Georgetown Rd, Bethesda, MD, United States Join our Mental Health Professionals Study Group for breakfast and a discussion of the therapeutic issues raised by the legacy of Schlomo Carlebach. The cost is $5 per person and includes breakfast. Please register using the form below. $5
Civil Rights Journey Information Session October 15 at 7:00 pm Please join us for an information session for the December Civil Rights Journey to the South led by Rabbi Harris. We will discuss details of the trip, pre-trip events and readings, and meet other participants.
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 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 ...
Purple Shabbat & Tikkun Olam Shabbat: Q&A with Debbie Feinstein October 24 at 12:30 pm Congregation Beth El 8215 Old Georgetown Rd, Bethesda, MD, United States Join us on Shabbat, October 24, at 9:15 am for our Purple Shabbat and Tikkun Olam Shabbat. We will honor synagogue members who currently lead, or have previously led, Tikkun Olam initiatives on behalf of our community, while highlighting the many volunteer efforts that embody our congregation's commitment to social action. As part of that ...
Mitzvah Day Featured October 25 Congregation Beth El 8215 Old Georgetown Rd, Bethesda, MD, United States Join us for Mitzvah Day on Sunday, October 26! Help us help those in need in our community and beyond. Donate items and sign up for a project by contacting the captain of the project of your choice. For other info, contact chairs Jon Polon at jonpolon@hotmail.com or 917-543-0118, Donna Shimshi at donnashimshi@gmail.com or 240-731-1731. ...
Film Screening: Ain’t No Back to a Merry-Go-Round Featured November 7 at 7:00 pm Congregation Beth El 8215 Old Georgetown Rd, Bethesda, MD, United States Join Chai Society 60+ for a screening of the film Ain't No Back to a Merry-Go-Round. The movie tells the story of five Black students who rode a segregated carousel in 1960, igniting one of the earliest organized interracial civil rights protests in U.S. history. Ain’t No Back to a Merry-Go-Round is the little-known story ...
Women of Beth El and Men’s Club Hike Featured November 8 at 10:00 am Join the Women of Beth El and Men's Club for a hike in Cabin John Regional Park. We will meet at the Pauline Betz Addie Tennis Center (7801 Democracy Blvd., Bethesda) at 10:00 am. The hike is approximately three miles and is relatively flat. Registration is encouraged in case of updates.
Warriors Among Us Featured November 8 at 12:00 pm Congregation Beth El 8215 Old Georgetown Rd, Bethesda, MD, United States Join Congregation Beth El for a moderated speaking forum bringing together congregants who serve in the U.S. Military, Jewish veterans, and personnel from the Israeli Embassy and IDF for a candid conversation about military life. Panelists will explore the experiences and differences between American and Israeli military service, discuss levels of American Jewish support for ...
Kol Haneshama Friday Night Musical Service Featured November 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 ...
Yah Echsof Meditation Group Featured November 21 at 12:30 pm - 1:30 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, ...
Family Trip to Israel Information Meeting November 22 at 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm Congregation Beth El 8215 Old Georgetown Rd, Bethesda, MD, United States Come find out about the Family Trip to Israel with Keshet tour host Geoff Winston. The trip, which will be led by Hazzan Fradkin, will take place June 21-30, 2027.
Interfaith Thanksgiving Service Featured November 23 at 7:30 pm Congregation Beth El 8215 Old Georgetown Rd, Bethesda, MD, United States Every year before Thanksgiving, Beth El shares an Interfaith Thanksgiving Service with the Bethesda United Methodist Church, our neighbors across the street. Our Interfaith Thanksgiving Service includes prayers and reflections from the clergy and performances by the adult and children’s choirs from both places of worship. This year, we will gather at Beth El. The ...
Yah Echsof Meditation Group Featured December 5 at 12:30 pm - 1:30 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, ...
Senior Caucus Coffee with the Clergy Featured December 8 at 2:00 pm Coffee with the Clergy Congregation Beth El 8215 Old Georgetown Rd, Bethesda, MD, United States Join the Senior Caucus for our every other month Coffee with the Clergy. This is an informal time to catch up with each other, hear what is going on at Beth El, enjoy a light snack, and do some Jewish learning together. In December, Hazzan Fradkin will join us, and we'll celebrate Hanukkah together. Please ...
Jews & Brews December 9 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 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.
Civil Rights Journey to the South Featured December 13 - December 15 Congregation Beth El 8215 Old Georgetown Rd, Bethesda, MD, United States Join Rabbi Harris and members of Congregation Beth El for a trip exploring the Jewish history of the Civil Rights movement this winter, December 13-15. The Civil Rights journey empowers and inspires participants to return home and get involved, as they realize they have the power to make a difference. Participants will meet primary sources, ... $1600
Meet Historian James McAuley, Author of “Edmond de Rothschild: Finding Zion” Featured December 13 at 11:00 am - 12:00 pm Join us via Zoom as prize-winning author and historian James McAuley introduces his latest work of nonfiction. Edmond de Rothschild: Finding Zion offers a fresh look at Zionism, Jewish history, and Jewish identity at a time when these issues have taken on a new, urgent relevance. Born into the French branch of the legendary Jewish ...
Support After Loss December 19 at 12:30 pm - 1:30 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. ...
The Hidden History of the Renoir Portraits with Author Catherine Ostler Featured January 24, 2027 at 11:00 am - 12:00 pm Join us via Zoom as British author Catherine Ostler discusses her new work of non-fiction, The Renoir Girls: A Hidden History of Art, War, & Betrayal. The book traces the lives of three French Jewish sisters, painted by Pierre-Auguste Renoir in beloved and widely reproduced Impressionist portraits: Pink and Blue and Little Irène. The sisters were ...
Kol Haneshama Friday Night Musical Service Featured January 29, 2027 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 ...
Senior Caucus Coffee with the Clergy Featured February 17, 2027 at 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm Coffee with the Clergy Congregation Beth El 8215 Old Georgetown Rd, Bethesda, MD, United States Join the Senior Caucus for our every other month Coffee with the Clergy. This is an informal time to catch up with each other, hear what is going on at Beth El, enjoy a light snack, and do some Jewish learning together. In February, Rabbi Harris will join us. Please register using the form below. ...
Support After Loss February 20, 2027 at 12:30 pm - 1:30 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. ...
Striving to be Human in the Age of AI with Dr. Sherry Turkle February 22, 2027 at 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm MIT professor Sherry Turkle is a renowned pioneer in the study of human-computer relationships, a specialist in how technology changes us psychologically and socially, and a powerful advocate for using technology wisely and thoughtfully with both children and adults. The author of many acclaimed bestselling books, Turkle will visit via Zoom to introduce her new ...
