A message from Rabbi adam Berman
Dear B’nai Jacob community,
Happy New Year! No, I am not simply a month late-- this evening is Tu B'Shvat, the Jewish new year of the trees.
You can tell a lot about a society by how it keeps time. In America, we have the calendar year, of course. But we also have the school year, the fiscal year, and various ethnic and religious years. Fans of different sports might think of the year beginning and ending in relation to the relevant season. This all says something about what we value in this county.
The Mishna teaches that Judaism has four new years: The new year for kings and festivals (1 Nisan), the new year for animal tithes (1 Elul), the new year for years (what we call Rosh Hashanah, 1 Tishrei), and the new year for trees (15 Shvat, or Tu B'Shvat).
Trees-- alongside kings, festivals, and animals-- are so important in Jewish tradition as to merit their own new year.
We are fortunate to live in West Virginia, where we can celebrate the Jewish new year for trees while surrounded by some of the most beautiful forests in America. As Jews in the Mountain State, may we draw strength from both our religious tradition and our local landscape, growing deep roots while reaching ever-higher.
B'Shalom,
Rabbi Adam Berman
Happy New Year! No, I am not simply a month late-- this evening is Tu B'Shvat, the Jewish new year of the trees.
You can tell a lot about a society by how it keeps time. In America, we have the calendar year, of course. But we also have the school year, the fiscal year, and various ethnic and religious years. Fans of different sports might think of the year beginning and ending in relation to the relevant season. This all says something about what we value in this county.
The Mishna teaches that Judaism has four new years: The new year for kings and festivals (1 Nisan), the new year for animal tithes (1 Elul), the new year for years (what we call Rosh Hashanah, 1 Tishrei), and the new year for trees (15 Shvat, or Tu B'Shvat).
Trees-- alongside kings, festivals, and animals-- are so important in Jewish tradition as to merit their own new year.
We are fortunate to live in West Virginia, where we can celebrate the Jewish new year for trees while surrounded by some of the most beautiful forests in America. As Jews in the Mountain State, may we draw strength from both our religious tradition and our local landscape, growing deep roots while reaching ever-higher.
B'Shalom,
Rabbi Adam Berman
our services schedule for February 2-8, 2026
Services This Week
Evening Services
This week we will resume doing Mincha and Maariv
(afternoon and evening services) as sunset is after 5:45pm.
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
February 7th, 2026 / 20th of Shevat, 5786 : 5:36PM
Torah Portion: Yitro
Exodus 18:1-20:23
Triennial reading: Exodus 18:1-27
Friday night
5:45 PM - Friday Evening Service
Saturday Morning
10:00 AM - Saturday Morning
Kiddush lunch to follow.
We have transitioned our virtual Shabbat morning experience from Zoom to a YouTube livestream.
The virtual broadcast of the service will be exclusively on YouTube.
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 6:37 PM
Evening Services
This week we will resume doing Mincha and Maariv
(afternoon and evening services) as sunset is after 5:45pm.
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
February 7th, 2026 / 20th of Shevat, 5786 : 5:36PM
Torah Portion: Yitro
Exodus 18:1-20:23
Triennial reading: Exodus 18:1-27
Friday night
5:45 PM - Friday Evening Service
Saturday Morning
10:00 AM - Saturday Morning
Kiddush lunch to follow.
We have transitioned our virtual Shabbat morning experience from Zoom to a YouTube livestream.
The virtual broadcast of the service will be exclusively on YouTube.
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 6:37 PM
Friday Night Dinner 2/20/2026 - SHABBAT SHUFFLE
Shabbat Shuffle -
On Friday night, February 20th, 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!
Whether you are interested in hosting others OR being hosted for Shabbat dinner, please click here to fill out the form.
On Friday night, February 20th, 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!
Whether you are interested in hosting others OR being hosted for Shabbat dinner, please click here to fill out the form.
Brew B'Shvat - A Jews and Brews Event
Celebrate the Jewish New Year of the Trees by grabbing a drink with members of the B'nai Jacob community in their 20s, 30s, and 40s. First round on the synagogue! At the newly reopened Bar 101 (101 Capitol St.)
Wednesday, February 4th, 5pm.
Wednesday, February 4th, 5pm.
WEEKLY CLASSES
Classes this week
Torah at Ten will meet at the Synagogue on Tuesday, February 3rd, at 10:00am.
Talmud at Ten will meet online on Thursday, February 5th, at 10:00am. Click here to join the Zoom session.
Torah at Ten will meet at the Synagogue on Tuesday, February 3rd, at 10:00am.
Talmud at Ten will meet online on Thursday, February 5th, at 10:00am. Click here to join the Zoom session.
CHILDREN & YOUTH PROGRAM
Sunday School
This morning, Sunday, February 1st, at 10am, we will gather to celebrate Tu B'Shvat together! Please bring an empty plastic bottle, and an old (but clean) adult crew sock (not low-cut). I understand this might sound bizarre; if you're curious as to what we'll be doing, you can check out this video (in Hebrew).
On Friday, February 6th, we will have another Friday night dinner for Sunday School families. If you can join us, please RSVP here. On the form, you can indicate your willingness to help out with the cooking and preparations.
This morning, Sunday, February 1st, at 10am, we will gather to celebrate Tu B'Shvat together! Please bring an empty plastic bottle, and an old (but clean) adult crew sock (not low-cut). I understand this might sound bizarre; if you're curious as to what we'll be doing, you can check out this video (in Hebrew).
On Friday, February 6th, we will have another Friday night dinner for Sunday School families. If you can join us, please RSVP here. On the form, you can indicate your willingness to help out with the cooking and preparations.
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
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Charleston, WV
January 15, 2026 The passing of James "Jim" Doria With deep sadness, we inform you of the passing of longtime member of B’nai Jacob, James Charles Doria (Yoel Chai ben Avraham). Son of the late Manuel and Catherine Doria, he is survived by his wife, Deidre Doria; his son Jason (Karri) Lord, and grandsons Gavin and the late Liam; his son Dr. Aaron (Christian) Lord; his daughter Dr. Elaina (Nolan) Tully, and grandchildren Nora and Samuel Tully; his daughter Blair Lord; special niece and nephew Maggie and Ike Goldman; and his sister Diane Santarsiero. The funeral will be held on Sunday, January 18th at 12:00 noon at Barlow Bonsall Funeral Home, 1118 Virginia St E, Charleston, WV, followed by a burial service at the B’nai Jacob Eternal Home. Shiva will be observed at the Doria home, 1418 Mt. Vernon Rd, Charleston, WV. Afternoon services will be held at the home on Sunday afternoon following the funeral. |
Evening services will be held at the home at 5:45pm on Monday, January 19th. The Monday evening service will also be on Zoom via the regular evening service link.
הַמָּקוֹם יְנַחֵם אֶתְכֶם בְּתוֹךְ שְׁאַר אֲבֵלֵי צִיּוֹן וִירוּשָׁלַיִם May the Holy Blessed One comfort Jim's family among all the mourners of Zion and Jerusalem. -Rabbi Adam Berman |
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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. |
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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.
