Weekly Services & Classes
Daily Minyan Services
- Monday – Friday 7:45am
- Sunday – Thursday 6:00pm (on ZOOM only)
- Sunday 9:00am
- National Holidays Times vary
Weekly Shabbat Services
- Friday: Shabbat Schmooze 6:00pm; Services 6:30pm
- Saturday: Bread & Torah 9:00am; Services 10:00am
- Bread & Torah Saturday Mornings: 9:00am-9:45am
Meet in the B’nai Jacob Library (or join us on Zoom) to explore the weekly Torah portion and the way in which its story relates to our own. Be prepared for a lively discussion over bagels and coffee. No experience necessary. Taught by Rabbi Rona Shapiro.
Woodbridge Community Interfaith Thanksgiving Service
Monday, November 21 at 7:30am
Hosted this year by The First Church of Christ, Meetinghouse Lane, Woodbridge
Please join us for this beautiful service. Co-sponsored by Congregation B’nai Jacob, First Church of Christ, and Our Lady of the Assumption Church.
Shir Hadash
Saturday, December 10 at 9:00am
A songful, prayerful, soulful service led by Cantorial Intern, Kochava Munro, and Rabbi Shapiro. We use the power of our music and kavanah of our words and hearts to make God’s presence manifest. A mini-Kiddush will be served following the service.
Prayerful Shabbat Morning Walk on the Blue Trail
Saturday, December 24 at 8:30am (weather permitting)
Join Rabbi Shapiro for a thoughtful, prayerful, meditative walk on the Blue Trail. Meet behind the church in Woodbridge Town Center. Wear comfortable walking shoes!
Rabbi Shapiro’s Monday Night Class
God is Here: Reimagining the Divine
With this book as a guide, we will explore how we use metaphors in language generally and in speaking about God in particular, and discuss eight metaphors the Bible frequently uses to talk about God and how those metaphors might be useful for us. If you would like to get clearer about what we might mean when we say, “God,” and cut through some of the ideas about God that are often unhelpful, this is a great class for you. Please get a copy of the book and read the introduction and the first chapter before the first class. All are welcome; no previous experience is necessary.
Class Schedule: Mondays, November 28, December 5, 12. Class will meet in person at CBJ and on Zoom
Guest Speakers
Dr. Becca Levy, Professor of Epidemiology, Yale School of Public Health and Professor of Psychology, Yale University
Saturday, December 3, Shabbat Lunch and Learn, 1:00pm at B’nai Jacob
Breaking the Age Code
CBJ member and pioneering researcher on the psychology of aging, Dr. Becca Levy, draws on her ground-breaking research to show how age beliefs can be improved on an individual and societal level so they can benefit aspects of the aging process, including the way genes operate and the extension of life expectancy by an average of 7.5 years. All ages of our community are invited for an interactive discussion of this work as Dr Levy challenges us to reconsider our own beliefs about aging and our experiences with structural ageism. CBJ member Kinneret Chiel, who participated in a cultural redefinition group that is profiled in the book, will join us to add her valuable perspective.
This book will make a wonderful Hannukah gift. Thanks to Dr Levy’s generosity, we will have some copies available in the office that will support the synagogue and offer you a discounted price. Please also feel free to buy online or support your local bookstore.
Elisa Bernick
Sunday, December 11, 10:00am on Zoom
Departure Stories: Betty Crocker Made Matzoh Balls (and other lies)
Join Award winning Writer and Journalist, Elisa Bernick, on Zoom, for a discussion of her newest book, Departure Stories. The book ponders the ways marginalized individuals find themselves defined, and who and what we hold accountable for the worst and best parts of ourselves. Written with wit and dynamism, the book explores the long-term effects of intergenerational trauma using the two definitions of departure — leaving and deviating from the norm — to explore the author’s experience of growing up “different” (i.e., Jewish) in the White Christian suburb of New Hope, Minnesota, during and early 1970s. The question at the heart of this book is how the invisible baggage of place and memory, Minnesota’s uniquely antisemitic history, and the cultural shifts sweeping the country during this tumultuous period contributed to her family’s eventual implosion.
Unless otherwise noted, all services, classes and events are in person at B’nai Jacob, located at 75 Rimmon Road, Woodbridge. All services are also live-streamed and some are on ZOOM. Call the B’nai Jacob office for digital access and more information 203-389-2111 or email office@bnaijacob.org.
For more information about any of these events, or becoming a member of B’nai Jacob: Call 203-389-2111, Email: office@bnaijacob.org, Visit our website, bnaijacob.org.
ALL ARE WELCOME!
