Synaplex is the idea that there are many ways to bring Shabbat into our lives. Each month, we will provide a variety of opportunities for worship, learning and coming together as a community.

Kabbalat Shabbat!

Every Shabbat at B’nai Israel begins with Kabbalat Shabbat-welcoming the Sabbath Bride on Friday evening. Once each month, we invite our congregation to stay for dinner and an opportunity to learn together. All lectures are open to the general public and presented without charge. Sabbath Services at 6:00 P.M. and a Shabbat Dinner precedes each lecture. Reservations are only necessary for the dinners.
Call Amy at 336-1858 or e-mail her.

Torah Study

After breakfast, a group gathers at 9:30 a.m. to explore what the Torah has to teach us. Everyone shares what the text means to them!

@lternatives

@lternatives are new opportunities to try different kinds of worship experiences, involving elements such as study, discussion, chanting, meditation, and music. Each month is a little different. We gather at 10:45 a.m.

Shachrit:
Shabbat Morning Worship

Generations of B’nai Israel members have been coming together to pray and sing at 8:00 a.m. on Saturday mornings. The brotherhood serves bagels and coffee at 9:00 a.m. It is early, and easy to fit in before going on to the rest of your day. Come take part in what some refer to as the most wonderful secret in the community!

Havdalah Happenings

Havdalah is the separation between Shabbat and re-entry to the work week. Join us for a snack and some ‘table talk’ in an open discussion of Jewish questions and topics to take a little bit of the joy and peace of Shabbat back into your work life. We will get the conversation going and let you take it from there—share an experience, your thoughts or a story—all in the tradition of the “tisch,” the final meal and story of Shabbat.

November

Synaplex Scholar In Residence
Activist Rabbi David J. Forman
Sponsored by the Brotherhood

A native of Boston, Massachusetts, Rabbi Forman moved to Israel thirty-five years ago. As the former director of the Israel office of the Union for Reform Judaism, he has been instrumental in building programs that bridge the Israel-Diaspora divide. He has been active in human rights and peace movements in Israel and served as a deputy commander in the Israeli artillery corps, receiving a medal for distinguished service. Rabbi Forman is a columnist for the Jerusalem Post writing on social, political and religious issues, and has lectured internationally on human rights and social justice. He has authored four books. This year our Brotherhood scholar is sponsored in conjunction with Temple Israel of Westport. Click here for directions to Temple Israel.

“Living in Israel - a Thirty-Five Year Perspective” or “Jewish Schizophrenia in the Land of Israel.”
Friday,
November 2—8:15 p.m.,
following Shabbat Services
and Dinner at B'nai Israel
"Israelis always seem to do battle with themselves. Body and soul, mind and matter, intellect and emotion often seem to work at cross-purposes, Rabbi Forman will discuss all this in his unique style that includes many engaging and humorous anecdotes of Israelis forever struggling to harmonize the poles that exist within them. 
Reservations are required for dinner.
Call Amy at 336-1858 or e-mail her.

Torah Study: Israel in Jewish Texts
Saturday,
November 3—9:00 a.m.
at Temple Israel

Havdalah Happening:
Religious Pluralism
Saturday,
November 3—4:30 p.m.
at B’nai Israel
Rabbi Forman will address the Reform Movement’s struggle for recognition – its challenges, its successes, and its future.

Chanukah of Rededication
Friday, December 7—6:00 p.m.
We will light the fourth candle for Shabbat Chanukah and officially rededicate our completed vision of a new B’nai Israel. Join us after services for dinner, storytelling, music and more.

Havdalah Happening
Saturday, December 8—4:00 p.m.

Shabbat Shira
Saturday, January 18—7:30 p.m.
at Temple Israel of Westport
Each year we co-sponsor a musical Shabbat with Temple Israel in honor of the reading of the Song of the Sea in the Torah portion. This year, Danny Maseng returns to our community. He brings an intense spirituality to his music and he will move us. You may have seen him perform when he last visited us with his one-man show, Wasting Time With Harry Davidowitz.

@lternatives
Saturday, January 19
10:45 a.m.

Havdalah Happening
Saturday, January 19
4:00 p.m.

Jews as Global Citizens:
The Work of the
American Jewish World Service
Friday, February 8—8:15 p.m.
Speaking of her own experiences in the developing world, Rabbi Ruth Gelfarb will propose how American Jews, who enjoy greater affluence and influence than ever before, can do their part to alleviate poverty, hunger, violence, disease and oppression. As Jews who take seriously our role as global citizens, we will contribute to tikkun olam, the fixing of the world. Rabbi Ruth Gelfarb is Director of Services for American World Jewish Service. She has led delegations of volunteers to Ghana, Thailand & El Salvador.

Havdalah Happening:
LASTING IMPRESSIONS
Film Screening and Discussion
Saturday, March 15—4:00 P.m.
This film chronicles Levinson’s story of growing up Jewish in Robeson County, North Carolina, and the surprising way differences were set aside in this small, rural community to build a better life for everyone. The story is not just told by Jews but also by White, Black and American Indian and Christian community members.

Telling the Story:
A Jewish Correspondent’s Life in the Muslim World
Friday, March 14—8:15 p.m.
Drew Levinson has worked as a correspondent for CBS Newspath since 1997 covering stories such as the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. He has traveled to Israel, the West Bank and Gaza to cover the Israeli elections. He will share some of the insights he has gained from these experiences, highlighting the personal along with the professional.

@lternatives
Saturday, March 15—10:45 a.m.

Israel at 60 -
Dream and Reality
Friday, May 2—8:15 p.m.
Theodor Herzl said “If you will it, it is no dream.” Fifty years later, the state of Israel was born. Join Dr. Joel Rosenthal, B’nai Israel member and President of the Carnegie Council on Ethics and International Affairs as he helps look at what we dreamed, what we have and what the future may bring.

@lternatives
Saturday, May 3—10:45 a.m.

Havdalah Happening
Saturday, May 3—4:00 p.m.