A message from Rabbi adam Berman
Dear B’nai Jacob community,
This week, I want to take this space to share with you some of what I have been doing behind the scenes, particularly in the realm of building interfaith relationships.
On Wednesday, I spent most of the day at Charleston Catholic High School, introducing their seniors to our faith and community as part of their study of world religions. On Thursday, B’nai Jacob hosted a gathering of local clergy in the library, where I shared a bit of my personal and our communal story before fielding questions on various Jewish topics: Israel, liturgy, Jewish denominations, death and burial. I have more engagements to study and share with other faith communities in the near future.
I believe that the early chapters of the Torah make it abundantly clear that the Jewish People are not meant to live in a bubble, detached from those around us. Our special, covenantal relationship with G-d does not make us intrinsically different from the rest of humanity. The Torah begins with the creation of humankind, stressing that we all have common origins. This point is reinforced by our shared descent from Noah. Whether or not we take these stories literally, their moral point is clear: we are all one global family. Even those with whom the Jewish People have historically sparred are cast as our kin. Ishmael is our half-brother. Esau is our twin. Of course, that does not mean that we are all the same. We should proudly stand by our firmly held convictions, even when not shared with others. Being open and honest builds the trust and understanding that we need to truly live in harmony and mutual respect.
I look forward to deepening friendly relationships with our neighbors. In particular, I want to make note of two upcoming opportunities. This coming Saturday, November 15th, we will welcome seniors from Charleston Catholic High School to our Shabbat morning services, to be followed by a kiddush generously sponsored by Barrie Kaufman and prepared by Marilyn Urecki. I hope to see a strong turnout that morning which can showcase the strength and vitality of our community. On Monday, November 24th at 7pm, our congregation will host the Root and Branch interfaith discussion group, which will naturally focus on our community and our tradition. The event will include remarks from representatives of the Catholic and Muslim communities. I hope you join us for that meaningful evening, as well.
Please read on for more information about the many things happening this week at B’nai Jacob.
B'Shalom,
Rabbi Adam Berman
This week, I want to take this space to share with you some of what I have been doing behind the scenes, particularly in the realm of building interfaith relationships.
On Wednesday, I spent most of the day at Charleston Catholic High School, introducing their seniors to our faith and community as part of their study of world religions. On Thursday, B’nai Jacob hosted a gathering of local clergy in the library, where I shared a bit of my personal and our communal story before fielding questions on various Jewish topics: Israel, liturgy, Jewish denominations, death and burial. I have more engagements to study and share with other faith communities in the near future.
I believe that the early chapters of the Torah make it abundantly clear that the Jewish People are not meant to live in a bubble, detached from those around us. Our special, covenantal relationship with G-d does not make us intrinsically different from the rest of humanity. The Torah begins with the creation of humankind, stressing that we all have common origins. This point is reinforced by our shared descent from Noah. Whether or not we take these stories literally, their moral point is clear: we are all one global family. Even those with whom the Jewish People have historically sparred are cast as our kin. Ishmael is our half-brother. Esau is our twin. Of course, that does not mean that we are all the same. We should proudly stand by our firmly held convictions, even when not shared with others. Being open and honest builds the trust and understanding that we need to truly live in harmony and mutual respect.
I look forward to deepening friendly relationships with our neighbors. In particular, I want to make note of two upcoming opportunities. This coming Saturday, November 15th, we will welcome seniors from Charleston Catholic High School to our Shabbat morning services, to be followed by a kiddush generously sponsored by Barrie Kaufman and prepared by Marilyn Urecki. I hope to see a strong turnout that morning which can showcase the strength and vitality of our community. On Monday, November 24th at 7pm, our congregation will host the Root and Branch interfaith discussion group, which will naturally focus on our community and our tradition. The event will include remarks from representatives of the Catholic and Muslim communities. I hope you join us for that meaningful evening, as well.
Please read on for more information about the many things happening this week at B’nai Jacob.
B'Shalom,
Rabbi Adam Berman
our schedule for november 10-16 , 2025
Services This Week
Evening Services
Monday-Thursday
5:45 PM - Evening Services
Morning Minyan
Wednesday
7:30 AM - Morning Minyan
Breakfast to follow.
Shabbat
Shabbat candle lighting time for
November 14th, 2025 / 24th of Marcheshvan, 5786 - 4:56 PM
Torah Portion: Chayei Sara
Genesis 23:1-25:18
Triennial reading: Genesis 23:1-24:9
Friday night
5:45 PM - Friday Evening Service
Saturday Morning
10:00 AM - Saturday Morning
Service to include visitors from Charleston Catholic High School and
kiddush lunch sponsored by Barrie Kaufman and prepared by Marilyn Urecki.
Shabbat concludes with the emergence of three stars at 5:56PM
Evening Services
Monday-Thursday
5:45 PM - Evening Services
Morning Minyan
Wednesday
7:30 AM - Morning Minyan
Breakfast to follow.
Shabbat
Shabbat candle lighting time for
November 14th, 2025 / 24th of Marcheshvan, 5786 - 4:56 PM
Torah Portion: Chayei Sara
Genesis 23:1-25:18
Triennial reading: Genesis 23:1-24:9
Friday night
5:45 PM - Friday Evening Service
Saturday Morning
10:00 AM - Saturday Morning
Service to include visitors from Charleston Catholic High School and
kiddush lunch sponsored by Barrie Kaufman and prepared by Marilyn Urecki.
Shabbat concludes with the emergence of three stars at 5:56PM
ladies' auxiliary - chanukah gifts & art show - december 7, 2025
WEEKLY CLASSES
Regular classes have resumed
Thanks to all who have made our classes a success so far! Even if you have not gotten around to joining us yet, you are more than welcome to join us moving forward for Torah at Ten (Tuesdays at 10am, in-person at the synagogue) and Talmud at Ten (Thursdays at 10am, online at the following link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85781060772)
All are welcome.
Thanks to all who have made our classes a success so far! Even if you have not gotten around to joining us yet, you are more than welcome to join us moving forward for Torah at Ten (Tuesdays at 10am, in-person at the synagogue) and Talmud at Ten (Thursdays at 10am, online at the following link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85781060772)
All are welcome.
CHILDREN AND YOUTH PROGRAM
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We will be having an initial meeting for our congregation's teenagers on Sunday, November 9th, at 7:00pm in the Harry Kanner Youth Lounge at the synagogue. I look forward to chatting with everyone about what youth programming they would like to see here at B'nai Jacob. Please encourage your teenagers to join us!
Sunday School is not in session today (November 9th) because we had a special Shabbat evening program on Friday. We will meet again at our regular time, 10am, on Sunday, November 16th. Also, if any children (elementary through high school) are interested in participating in church league basketball, please let me know. Games are typically on Mondays and Thursdays, beginning in December. If we have enough interested kids in a given age bracket, we can combine with another religious institution to field a team. |
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UPCOMING EVENTS
Please mark your calendars for two upcoming events in the month of November. More details to come as the dates approach.
Tuesday, November 11th, 1pm: Zoom program in honor of Veterans Day. We will be joined virtually by two Jewish servicemembers with West Virginia connections: US military chaplain Rabbi Ze'ev Lowenberg (WVU class of 2011) and Israeli paratrooper reservist Houston Mack (whose parents live in the Charleston area). Our panelists will share personal perspectives on the experiences of Jewish servicemembers today in their respective militaries.
Link to join: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84356435568
Wednesday, November 12th, 4:45pm: The return of Jews and Brews (perhaps with a different name; let me know if you have any creative suggestions!). The B'nai Jacob community in their 20s, 30s, and 40s are invited to grab a drink after work and before minyan. Location TBD.
Saturday, November 22nd, 5:45pm: Evening service and havdallah, followed by a congregational meeting. Be on the lookout for details about a program to follow. (Don't worry, WVU doesn't play that day!)
Tuesday, November 11th, 1pm: Zoom program in honor of Veterans Day. We will be joined virtually by two Jewish servicemembers with West Virginia connections: US military chaplain Rabbi Ze'ev Lowenberg (WVU class of 2011) and Israeli paratrooper reservist Houston Mack (whose parents live in the Charleston area). Our panelists will share personal perspectives on the experiences of Jewish servicemembers today in their respective militaries.
Link to join: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84356435568
Wednesday, November 12th, 4:45pm: The return of Jews and Brews (perhaps with a different name; let me know if you have any creative suggestions!). The B'nai Jacob community in their 20s, 30s, and 40s are invited to grab a drink after work and before minyan. Location TBD.
Saturday, November 22nd, 5:45pm: Evening service and havdallah, followed by a congregational meeting. Be on the lookout for details about a program to follow. (Don't worry, WVU doesn't play that day!)
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.
