Events

This month, Al Steiner will discuss reading the Bible. We will attempt to place the Tanakh (Hebrew Bible) in an understandable context for a 21st century Jew. In dealing with English translations of this ancient set of books we can, by trying to project back to its origins, deal with the many contradictions, mistranslations of the colloquial language and word usage that differ from today's language. It's as though

3rd Friday of each month at 7:45 PM, October through June. Come and experience a relaxing, quiet way to let go of the week and deeply enter the peace of Shabbat. This Kabbalat Keshet service will incorporate contemplative niggunim, traditional prayers, short meditations, and silence.

Do you find the words in the prayerbook inspiring? Do they speak to you and help you open your heart? Or perhaps they are alienating, confusing, and results in your feeling closed down? Join Daria for an exploration of some of the tefillot (prayers) that we use every Shabbat. Through text study, discussion, and song we will unpack some of the layers imbedded in these tefillot as well as learn new ways to possibly connect to them. No Hebrew skills are required. Please bring a willingness to open and a desire to learn.

We gather in our beautiful sanctuary every Saturday at 10:00 a.m. for Shabbat Morning Services which include prayers, songs, and discussion of the weekly Torah portion. After services there is a kiddush for meeting and greeting - and, of course, eating.

Please join us this week as we celebrate a Bat Mitzvah.

Immediately following Shabbat services. Manless in Montclair: How a Happily Married Woman Became a Widow Looking for Love in the Wilds of Suburbia is a story of love, loss, and finding your place in the world, even when you find yourself in the last place you thought you'd ever be. Once upon a time, Isabel, a woman of short stature and big dreams, was desperately searching for her niche. Enter Michael, divorced, 15 years her senior, a recovering alcoholic, and the last person Isabel

Enjoy our now-famous martini bar, followed by a full dinner catered by The Cooking Company. Desserts by Bobby Polton and Jen Zinman. Entertainment by Marty Fogel and his band, Thread of Blue. Songs by Betty, Tom and Howard! (Prior RSVP required.)

BBQ begins at 12:00 noon with food, fun and entertainment. At 2:45 PM, the shofar will be heard at BK, declaring the start of the Siyum HaTorah - the completion of the first ever BK Torah Scroll. Promptly at 3:00 PM, we'll gather with our sofer, Rabbi Kevin Hale, as everyone present participates in the writing of the last 18 letters. When Rabbi Elliott completes the final letter, he will declare our Torah ready for use and we will dance the biggest Hora BK has ever seen. Come be a part of this once-in-a-lifetime experience. This is a NOT TO BE MISSED EVENT!

Congregational vote on Board recommendation to enter into negotiations with Darby Leigh for the position of Assistant Rabbi, and agree on a contract. Proxies have been mailed to members. If you have not received your proxy, please contact the BK office at bnaikeshet@bnaikeshet.org.

Rev. David K. Brawley, Pastor Successor of St. Paul Community Baptist Church in Brooklyn, speaks Thursday 5/22, 7:30 - 9:30 PM at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation - Fletcher Hall, 67 Church Street, Montclair. St. Paul Community Baptist Church has been working with the IAF since 1978. Rev. David K. Brawley's organizing efforts play a dynamic role in the church's community development activities. Questions? Contact Daria Jacobs-Velde.

Join us for a weekend of fun, community, learning, singing, dancing, celebration and nature at camp JRF in the Poconos. Families, couples and singles of all ages are invited to come together to creatively explore the value of Hidur Mitzvah, the beautification of mitzvah (good deeds). For details about the retreat and the registration form, please see the attached brochure.  We welcome all synagogue members to attend the retreat if possible. If cost is a deterrent, please talk to Rabbi Elliott, Carol Rotman or Betsy Tessler. No one will be turned away!

Join us for a weekend of fun, community, learning, singing, dancing, celebration and nature at camp JRF in the Poconos. Families, couples and singles of all ages are invited to come together to creatively explore the value of Hidur Mitzvah, the beautification of mitzvah (good deeds). For details about the retreat and the registration form, please see the attached brochure.  We welcome all synagogue members to attend the retreat if possible. If cost is a deterrent, please talk to Rabbi Elliott, Carol Rotman or Betsy Tessler. No one will be turned away!

We gather in our beautiful sanctuary every Saturday at 10:00 a.m. for Shabbat Morning Services which include prayers, songs, and discussion of the weekly Torah portion. After services there is a kiddush for meeting and greeting - and, of course, eating.

Join us for a weekend of fun, community, learning, singing, dancing, celebration and nature at camp JRF in the Poconos. Families, couples and singles of all ages are invited to come together to creatively explore the value of Hidur Mitzvah, the beautification of mitzvah (good deeds). For details about the retreat and the registration form, please see the attached brochure.  We welcome all synagogue members to attend the retreat if possible. If cost is a deterrent, please talk to Rabbi Elliott, Carol Rotman or Betsy Tessler. No one will be turned away!

At The Gebroe & Hammer Families Conference Center, 901 Route 10 East, Whippany. Join us for a dynamic, cutting-edge workshop that will empower participants to build a Jewish community for all ages. Who should attend?

Rabbi Elliott will speak more specifically about the work and influence of the two 20th century Rabbis Mordachai Kaplan and Abraham Joshua Heschel. These two are arguably the most influential, non-orthodox, Rabbis in contemporary America. All are welcome. For more information, contact the BK office.

The Tikkun Olam Committee has invited Don Spector and Myrna Marcarian Mincey of the Conversations on Race program to join us at our May meeting. About 10 years ago, in an effort to foster community racial harmony,

Join us to experience Jewish traditions of chant and meditation.

We gather in our beautiful sanctuary every Saturday at 10:00 a.m. for Shabbat Morning Services which include prayers, songs, and discussion of the weekly Torah portion. After services there is a kiddush for meeting and greeting - and, of course, eating.

On Fifth Avenue, from 57th Street to 79th Street, NYC. The Salute To Israel Parade is the single largest gathering in the world in support of Israel. Join us as we walk in support of Israel with the Reconstructionist Movement,  "A voice for Jewish Pluralism."

Ashrey Yoshvey Veytecha! - Happy are those who sit within your house! Looking for a midweek opportunity to recharge your spiritual battery? Looking for a few minutes of peace and quiet? Rabbi Elliott invites you to join him for a short period of silent meditation on Wednesdays 12:30-1:00 PM. Each session will start promptly with a little singing, include about 18 minutes of quiet contemplation, and end with a kaddish if we have a minyan or more singing if we do not.

Please join the Bnai Keshet LGBT Community for a special celebration of National Gay Pride Month. Join us for Shabbat dinner and a Marriage Equality Pride Seder, inspired and led by children and their LGBT parents. A participatory Kabbalat Keshet service to follow at 7:45 PM. The entire BK community is welcome. The cost for the Shabbat dinner is $10 per adult or $25 per family. RSVP to the BK Office.

Rabbi Elliott’s spring class focuses on both the theology and the mechanics of prayer. The class is meant to be a spiritual exploration with the goal of deepening and expanding our prayer experience.

We gather in our beautiful sanctuary every Saturday at 10:00 a.m. for Shabbat Morning Services which include prayers, songs, and discussion of the weekly Torah portion. After services there is a kiddush for meeting and greeting - and, of course, eating.

Please join us this week as we celebrate a Bar Mitzvah.

For more information contact Education Director Amy SaNogueira or Rabbinic Intern Daria Jacobs-Velde

The Varieties of Jewish Spiritual Practice to be Explored at Community Shavuot Observance

Please plan to join us in what promises to be a remarkable evening of prayer, song, study, chanting, contemplation, camaraderie and Torah (and cheesecake, of course) as we explore the many paths to Jewish spirituality.

Rabbi Sheila Peltz Weinberg, a founder of the Institute for Jewish Spirituality (IJS), poet, educator, nationally recognized pioneer in contemplative practice and author of prayers, poems and commentary for the Reconstructionist prayerbook, (and Student Intern Ezra Weinberg’s Mom!) will lead this year’s Tikkun Leyl Shavuot for Montclair-area synagogues. The night of study inaugurates the Festival of Shavuot.

The Varieties of Jewish Spiritual Practice to be Explored at Community Shavuot Observance

Please plan to join us in what promises to be a remarkable evening of prayer, song, study, chanting, contemplation, camaraderie and Torah (and cheesecake, of course) as we explore the many paths to Jewish spirituality.

Rabbi Sheila Peltz Weinberg, a founder of the Institute for Jewish Spirituality (IJS), poet, educator, nationally recognized pioneer in contemplative practice and author of prayers, poems and commentary for the Reconstructionist prayerbook, (and Student Intern Ezra Weinberg’s Mom!) will lead this year’s Tikkun Leyl Shavuot for Montclair-area synagogues. The night of study inaugurates the Festival of Shavuot.

Ashrey Yoshvey Veytecha! - Happy are those who sit within your house! Looking for a midweek opportunity to recharge your spiritual battery? Looking for a few minutes of peace and quiet? Rabbi Elliott invites you to join him for a short period of silent meditation on Wednesdays 12:30-1:00 PM. Each session will start promptly with a little singing, include about 18 minutes of quiet contemplation, and end with a kaddish if we have a minyan or more singing if we do not.

We gather in our beautiful sanctuary every Saturday at 10:00 a.m. for Shabbat Morning Services which include prayers, songs, and discussion of the weekly Torah portion. After services there is a kiddush for meeting and greeting - and, of course, eating.

Please join us this week as we celebrate a Bat Mitzvah.