A message from Rabbi adam Berman
Dear B’nai Jacob community,
As I mentioned in last week's newsletter, I spent most of this week in northern California at a conference for a fellowship in which I am a participant, run by the Center for Small Town Jewish Life.
The retreat brought together rabbis from small communities around the country such as Burlington, Vermont; Lawrence, Kansas; Fayetteville, North Carolina; and Galesburg, Illinois. We learned about the lived experience of our host congregation in Chico, California (an experience lovingly dubbed "the Torah of Chico"), shared our experiences, and spent a lot of time studying and practicing the craft of storytelling.
I still have much to process from the retreat as I continue the two-year journey of this fellowship. Nonetheless, here are a few initial thoughts having returned home from this journey westward.
B'Shalom,
Rabbi Adam Berman
As I mentioned in last week's newsletter, I spent most of this week in northern California at a conference for a fellowship in which I am a participant, run by the Center for Small Town Jewish Life.
The retreat brought together rabbis from small communities around the country such as Burlington, Vermont; Lawrence, Kansas; Fayetteville, North Carolina; and Galesburg, Illinois. We learned about the lived experience of our host congregation in Chico, California (an experience lovingly dubbed "the Torah of Chico"), shared our experiences, and spent a lot of time studying and practicing the craft of storytelling.
I still have much to process from the retreat as I continue the two-year journey of this fellowship. Nonetheless, here are a few initial thoughts having returned home from this journey westward.
- I am deeply grateful to B'nai Jacob for being supportive of my participation in this fellowship. Thank you to everyone who helped services run smoothly this week, including Marc Slotnick, Ted Kanner, and Rabbi Victor Urecki. I was proud to represent our community at this gathering, to connect with other Jewish leaders, and to bring lessons home.
- One value that came up repeatedly during my time in Chico was the value of home-grown leadership. Of course, B'nai Jacob enjoys tremendous lay leadership on the board, in the Ladies' Auxiliary, and otherwise. Yet, as far as ritual matters, I feel there is still untapped potential. I am thinking of how to create more opportunities for community members to gain synagogue skills and be able to actively participate in our community's ritual life. And more generally, if you ever have an idea for synagogue programming-- please let me know! I'd love to discuss any ideas and think about how we might implement them together.
- I am thinking about how to tell our congregation's story. We could tell a story about population decline, intertwined with the demographic trends of West Virginia in general. While that is true, it does not speak to who we are. In my discussions this past week, I further realized just how much there is that makes our community special. The incredible trust between lay and rabbinic leadership, built by three rabbis who collectively served for nearly a century. The resilience and dedication of the folks who have stayed in Charleston. Our pride in being a Jewish presence in West Virginia. I again invite those of you with whom I have not had the chance to sit down and chat to reach out to me and let me know of your availability. I look forward to uncovering more and more of the story of B'nai Jacob.
B'Shalom,
Rabbi Adam Berman
our services schedule for january 12-18, 2026
Services This Week
Evening Services
Monday - Thursday
5:45 PM - Evening Services
Note that Tuesday services will be in the chapel due to church league basketball.
Please enter from Virginia Street.
Morning Minyan
Wednesday
7:30 AM - Morning Minyan
Breakfast to follow.
Shabbat
Shabbat candle lighting time for
January 16th, 2026 / 28th of Tevet, 5786 : 5:13 PM
Torah Portion: Vaera
Exodus 6:2-9:35
Triennial reading: Exodus 6:2-7:7
Friday night
5:45 PM - Friday Evening Service
Saturday Morning
10:00 AM - Saturday Morning
Kiddush lunch to follow.
We are currently transitioning our virtual Shabbat morning experience from Zoom to a YouTube livestream.
This coming Shabbat morning, the Zoom link will still be live, in case there are issues with the livestream.
Moving forward, the virtual broadcast of the service will be exclusively on YouTube.
Click here for the Zoom link (for one last week!).
Click here to get to the YouTube channel. When you join at service time,
you will see an option to join the livestream. This is also where you can find recordings of previous services.
Shabbat concludes with the emergence of three stars at 6:15 PM
Evening Services
Monday - Thursday
5:45 PM - Evening Services
Note that Tuesday services will be in the chapel due to church league basketball.
Please enter from Virginia Street.
Morning Minyan
Wednesday
7:30 AM - Morning Minyan
Breakfast to follow.
Shabbat
Shabbat candle lighting time for
January 16th, 2026 / 28th of Tevet, 5786 : 5:13 PM
Torah Portion: Vaera
Exodus 6:2-9:35
Triennial reading: Exodus 6:2-7:7
Friday night
5:45 PM - Friday Evening Service
Saturday Morning
10:00 AM - Saturday Morning
Kiddush lunch to follow.
We are currently transitioning our virtual Shabbat morning experience from Zoom to a YouTube livestream.
This coming Shabbat morning, the Zoom link will still be live, in case there are issues with the livestream.
Moving forward, the virtual broadcast of the service will be exclusively on YouTube.
Click here for the Zoom link (for one last week!).
Click here to get to the YouTube channel. When you join at service time,
you will see an option to join the livestream. This is also where you can find recordings of previous services.
Shabbat concludes with the emergence of three stars at 6:15 PM
SHABBAT SHUFFLE
Shabbat Shuffle - Friday Night Dinner 2/20/2026
On Friday night, February 20th, 2026, Congregation B'nai Jacob is organizing Shabbat dinners around the Charleston area, hosted by members of the community. This is a great opportunity to spend quality time with other community members whom you might not know well, all while experiencing Shabbat together!
If you are available on February 20th, and are interested in hosting others or being hosted for Shabbat dinner, please click here to fill out the form.
On Friday night, February 20th, 2026, Congregation B'nai Jacob is organizing Shabbat dinners around the Charleston area, hosted by members of the community. This is a great opportunity to spend quality time with other community members whom you might not know well, all while experiencing Shabbat together!
If you are available on February 20th, and are interested in hosting others or being hosted for Shabbat dinner, please click here to fill out the form.
men's club dinner - january 28, 2026
The beloved Men's Club Dinner is back by popular demand, featuring special guest speaker Larry Pack, West Virginia State Treasurer, on Wednesday, January 28t, 2026, at 6pm. Don't miss this exciting return of a cherished B'nai Jacob tradition—reserve your spot for the pasta dinner by sending payment to the synagogue by Wednesday, January 21st, 2026.
WEEKLY CLASSES
Classes this week
Our regular classes will not meet this week, due to my being in California.
Torah at Ten at the Synagogue will resume on Tuesday, January 13th.
Ask the Rabbis at the Temple will resume on Wednesday, January 21st.
Talmud at Ten online will resume on Thursday, January 15th. Click here to join the Zoom session.
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Judaism 101
We are planning to launch a Judaism 101 class (January-June 2026), an introductory course open to Jews and non-Jews alike exploring Jewish values, texts, calendar, and practices through Zoom sessions with occasional in-person gatherings. Click here to complete an expression of interest form for more details and to help us schedule at a time that works for you.
Our regular classes will not meet this week, due to my being in California.
Torah at Ten at the Synagogue will resume on Tuesday, January 13th.
Ask the Rabbis at the Temple will resume on Wednesday, January 21st.
Talmud at Ten online will resume on Thursday, January 15th. Click here to join the Zoom session.
*************
Judaism 101
We are planning to launch a Judaism 101 class (January-June 2026), an introductory course open to Jews and non-Jews alike exploring Jewish values, texts, calendar, and practices through Zoom sessions with occasional in-person gatherings. Click here to complete an expression of interest form for more details and to help us schedule at a time that works for you.
CHILDREN & YOUTH PROGRAM
Sunday School resumes today!
Please note that we will not be meeting on MLK weekend (January 18th).
Contact Rabbi Adam Berman for details at [email protected]
Please note that we will not be meeting on MLK weekend (January 18th).
Contact Rabbi Adam Berman for details at [email protected]
Summer experiences for B'nai Jacob youth
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I am thrilled to share that the board of Congregation B'nai Jacob has approved a desire to grant scholarships to families sending children to Jewish overnight summer experiences (sleepaway camp, Israel trips, and other programs). This is an incredible opportunity for young people growing up in small Jewish communities like ours: the chance to connect with Jewish peers, to feel part of a vibrant global Jewish community, and to experience Jewish life in all its richness and joy. The goal is to make these admittedly expensive experiences more accessible.
Note that many Jewish camps offer programs for campers as young as entering second or third grade! Please take a look at this document, in which I compiled some information about recommended programs. If you are interested in applying for a scholarship from B'nai Jacob, you can fill out the expression of interest here: https://forms.gle/ztjuTDYCcedPkoYZ8 In addition, I am looking into ways to connect our youth to meaningful Jewish opportunities and experiences year round. For instance, I am hoping to send a |
delegation of our high school students to Washington, DC to participate in Ruchot: Community Organizing and Advocacy Training for High School Students. Click the link or see the flyer below for details, and feel free to reach out to me with any questions.
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OUR CONDOLENCES
Charleston, WV
December, 30, 2025
The passing of Gary Cohen
With deep sadness, we inform you of the passing of longtime member of B'nai Jacob, Gary Mason Cohen (Gedaliah Melech ben Moshe Ha-Kohen).
Son of the late Marvyn & Marion Smith Cohen, he is survived by his daughters, Brittany Cohen and Brooke Cohen (Jason Verno), and grandsons Carter and Easton Verno. Click here to read the full obituary.
The funeral was held Sunday, January 4th, at 12:00 noon at Barlow Bonsall Funeral Home, 1118 Virginia St E, Charleston, WV.
הַמָּקוֹם יְנַחֵם אֶתְכֶם בְּתוֹךְ שְׁאַר אֲבֵלֵי צִיּוֹן וִירוּשָׁלַיִם
May the Holy Blessed One comfort Gary's family among all the mourners of Zion and Jerusalem.
December, 30, 2025
The passing of Gary Cohen
With deep sadness, we inform you of the passing of longtime member of B'nai Jacob, Gary Mason Cohen (Gedaliah Melech ben Moshe Ha-Kohen).
Son of the late Marvyn & Marion Smith Cohen, he is survived by his daughters, Brittany Cohen and Brooke Cohen (Jason Verno), and grandsons Carter and Easton Verno. Click here to read the full obituary.
The funeral was held Sunday, January 4th, at 12:00 noon at Barlow Bonsall Funeral Home, 1118 Virginia St E, Charleston, WV.
הַמָּקוֹם יְנַחֵם אֶתְכֶם בְּתוֹךְ שְׁאַר אֲבֵלֵי צִיּוֹן וִירוּשָׁלַיִם
May the Holy Blessed One comfort Gary's family among all the mourners of Zion and Jerusalem.
SAVE THE DATES!
Looking beyond Hanukkah into 2026, save the date for two exciting upcoming visits to our community!
Wednesday, February 25th: Historian and Hebrew language expert Elon Gilad.
May 28th-30th: Musician and Jewish educator Rabbi Deborah Sacks Mintz.
Wednesday, February 25th: Historian and Hebrew language expert Elon Gilad.
May 28th-30th: Musician and Jewish educator Rabbi Deborah Sacks Mintz.
WEST VIRGINIA GOES TO ISRAEL
Our friends in Huntington are planning another trip to Israel through the Jewish Federations of North America Network of Small Jewish Communities for April 19-26, 2026. They would like to include the Charleston community. Please see the newly announced details below. For questions or details, contact
Linda Klein at 412-414-5605 or [email protected].
Linda Klein at 412-414-5605 or [email protected].
WONDERING JEWS
The One Stop For All Things Jewish in West Virginia
Wondering Jews, Inc. is a nonprofit organization with the goal of connecting people who are physically or geographically challenged with the wide variety of educational, service, and faith activities in the local West Virginia Jewish congregations.
Moe and Janie Rubenstein have created a unique website which will allow all congregations and Jewish organizations who wish to announce activities and programs of interest for Jews throughout West Virginia. We have seen at B'nai Jacob how Zoom has opened the door to those who are challenged to allow people in isolation to join and be a part of our B'nai Jacob family.
The website offer us and Jews around our state an opportunity to further connect and be together.
Check out Wondering Jews here.
Wondering Jews, Inc. is a nonprofit organization with the goal of connecting people who are physically or geographically challenged with the wide variety of educational, service, and faith activities in the local West Virginia Jewish congregations.
Moe and Janie Rubenstein have created a unique website which will allow all congregations and Jewish organizations who wish to announce activities and programs of interest for Jews throughout West Virginia. We have seen at B'nai Jacob how Zoom has opened the door to those who are challenged to allow people in isolation to join and be a part of our B'nai Jacob family.
The website offer us and Jews around our state an opportunity to further connect and be together.
Check out Wondering Jews here.
