The Israel Committee Program this month will focus on Birthright Israel, which has now taken 160,000 young people from 52 nations on a ten-day trip to Israel. Just to give some perspective on this statistic, more people go on Birthright each year than have a Bar or Bat Mitzvah.

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.

Prayers and camaraderie to prepare for Shabbat every Friday at 7:30 AM

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.

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.

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! The admission of $72 per person is strictly to cover our expenses. Dress up or dress down - just be there. RSVP to the BK office at bnaikeshet@bnaikeshet.org or (973) 746-4889.

An afternoon of celebration as we complete our new Torah. The fun begins at noon at Bnai Keshet with a barbeque, games, rides and entertainment. At 3:00 PM, we will gather with our sofer, Rabbi Kevin Hale, as we inscribe the final 18 letters in the Bnai Keshet Torah.

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!

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, the Montclair Civil Rights Commission initiated the Conversations on Race program. As the program states, "Eliminating racism cannot be accomplished without understanding that the issue has taken on different levels of significance to each person and each group of people. We need to understand our own motives, the effects of our actions on others and their motives in how they interact with us.

Join us to experience Jewish traditions of chant and meditation.

On Fifth Avenue, from 57th Street to 79th Street, in NYC. From its beginning in 1964, the Salute To Israel Parade has been a public affirmation of love and support of Israel, as well as an expression community among American Jews that transcends religious and political affiliations. The Salute To Israel Parade is the single largest gathering in the world in support of Israel and this year JRF NY-NJ has reserved a spot for us! Reconstructionist congregations are invited to march together with affiliates from the JRF NY-NJ region. Meet at 1:00 PM at the NE corner of 54th Street and 7th Avenue.

Please join the Bnai Keshet LGBT community for a special celebration of National Gay Pride Month in June. Celebrate the hope of marriage equality and join us for Shabbat dinner and Pride Seder. A participatory Kabbalat Keshet service to follow at 7:45 PM. Sponsored by the BK Pride Havurah.

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