A message from Rabbi adam Berman
Dear B'nai Jacob community,Dear B'nai Jacob community,
Happy Mother's Day!
Most holidays-- and certainly all Jewish holidays-- have multiple layers of meaning and history. You might be familiar with the West Virginian roots of Mother's Day. Before her daughter created the Mother's Day which we celebrate today, Ann Reeves Jarvis spearheaded Mothers' Friendship Day, meant to promote reconciliation between Union and Confederate veterans.
The Israeli equivalent of Mother's Day is not celebrated in May; it is celebrated in the winter, on the yahrzeit (anniversary of the death) of a Jewish American woman born in Baltimore in 1860.
Henrietta Szold was one of the prominent figures of pre-state Zionism. Best known for founding Hadassah, she contributed greatly to what would become Israel's educational and medical systems. Interestingly, she had no children of her own, but she became known as the “mother of the Yishuv” (the Jewish community in Palestine before 1948) due to her work to rescue, care for, and educate thousands child refugees fleeing Hitler's Europe.
To send end this message on a musical note, as I often do, I will share with you a song by Rabbi Deborah Sacks Mintz, who will be visiting our community at the end of this month, May 28-30 (new details below!). This tune, Nigun Nadav, is named after Rabbi Sacks Mintz's son, Nadav. How appropriate for Mother's Day!
L'Shalom,
Rabbi Adam Berman
Happy Mother's Day!
Most holidays-- and certainly all Jewish holidays-- have multiple layers of meaning and history. You might be familiar with the West Virginian roots of Mother's Day. Before her daughter created the Mother's Day which we celebrate today, Ann Reeves Jarvis spearheaded Mothers' Friendship Day, meant to promote reconciliation between Union and Confederate veterans.
The Israeli equivalent of Mother's Day is not celebrated in May; it is celebrated in the winter, on the yahrzeit (anniversary of the death) of a Jewish American woman born in Baltimore in 1860.
Henrietta Szold was one of the prominent figures of pre-state Zionism. Best known for founding Hadassah, she contributed greatly to what would become Israel's educational and medical systems. Interestingly, she had no children of her own, but she became known as the “mother of the Yishuv” (the Jewish community in Palestine before 1948) due to her work to rescue, care for, and educate thousands child refugees fleeing Hitler's Europe.
To send end this message on a musical note, as I often do, I will share with you a song by Rabbi Deborah Sacks Mintz, who will be visiting our community at the end of this month, May 28-30 (new details below!). This tune, Nigun Nadav, is named after Rabbi Sacks Mintz's son, Nadav. How appropriate for Mother's Day!
L'Shalom,
Rabbi Adam Berman
our services schedule for may 11-17, 2026
Services This Week
Evening Services
Note: On Thursday evening, we will be marking Yom Yerushalayim (Jerusalem Day)
Monday - Thursday
5:45 PM - Evening Services
Morning Minyan
Wednesday morning
Breakfast to follow
7:30 AM - Morning Minyan
Shabbat
Shabbat candle lighting time for
May 15th, 2026 / 29th of Iyyar, 5786 = 8:12 PM
Torah Portion: Bamidbar Numbers 1:1-4:20Triennial reading: Numbers 1:1-54
Friday night
5:45 PM - Friday Evening Service
Saturday Morning
10:00 AM - YouTube livestream.
Shabbat morning services to include the naming of Jessica Lynn Bollinger,
daughter of Sarah Sopher and Alex Bollinger, great-granddaughter of Lynn & Stephen Meyer.
Shabbat concludes with the emergence of three stars at 9:17 PM.
Evening Services
Note: On Thursday evening, we will be marking Yom Yerushalayim (Jerusalem Day)
Monday - Thursday
5:45 PM - Evening Services
Morning Minyan
Wednesday morning
Breakfast to follow
7:30 AM - Morning Minyan
Shabbat
Shabbat candle lighting time for
May 15th, 2026 / 29th of Iyyar, 5786 = 8:12 PM
Torah Portion: Bamidbar Numbers 1:1-4:20Triennial reading: Numbers 1:1-54
Friday night
5:45 PM - Friday Evening Service
Saturday Morning
10:00 AM - YouTube livestream.
Shabbat morning services to include the naming of Jessica Lynn Bollinger,
daughter of Sarah Sopher and Alex Bollinger, great-granddaughter of Lynn & Stephen Meyer.
Shabbat concludes with the emergence of three stars at 9:17 PM.
May 28-30, 2026 - VISITING SCHOLAR & MUSICIAN RABBI DEBORAH SACKS MINTZ
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We are proud to announce the upcoming schedule of events for the the long-anticipated visit of Rabbi Deborah Sacks Mintz to Charleston! All programming is co-sponsored by B'nai Jacob and Temple Israel.
Thursday, May 28th, 7:30pm:Rising Song Concert Gathering with Rabbi Deborah Sacks Mintz at Temple Israel. Join us for an intimate evening of heart-opening song rooted in traditional texts, contemporary melodies, and the spiritual power of the nigun - meditative, sacred song. Come ready to listen, sing and immerse in the spiritual power of Jewish music! Free admission, but please let us know to save you a seat by RSVP'ing at tinyurl.com/RDSMWV or by contacting the Temple Israel office. Friday, May 29th, 5:45pm: Joint Shabbat evening services at B'nai Jacob led by Rabbi Sacks Mintz, with dinner to follow. Please RSVP for Shabbat dinner by submitting payment to the synagogue office:
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Saturday, May 30th: Shabbat morning services at B'nai Jacob, with davening (service-leading) and sermon by Rabbi Sacks Mintz.
An educator and practitioner of Jewish communal music, Rabbi Deborah Sacks Mintz supports those who seek a deepened practice of empowered prayer and song. A celebrated composer, vocalist, and multi-instrumentalist, Deborah has collaborated on over two dozen albums with a diverse array of voices in the Jewish soundscape, including her own records of original spiritual music: The Narrow and the Expanse (2020) Yetzira (2023) and Songs from the Beit Midrash (2026). Deborah serves on the faculty of the Hadar Institute as Director of Tefillah and Music. Learn more at www.deborahsacksmintz.com |
Shavuot at B'nai Jacob
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The festival of Shavuot begins Thursday night, May 21st, and runs through Saturday, May 23rd. We will celebrate the onset of the holiday with a pre-Shavuot dinner on that Thursday night, following Mincha (afternoon) services at 5:45pm. The dinner is free of charge, but please RSVP to the synagogue office by Friday, May 15th. Festival evening services to follow at 7:05pm.
Festival morning services on Friday, May 22nd, will be at 9:00am. Shabbat services, coinciding with the second day of Shavuot, will be held at their regular times. Click here to learn more about Shavuot from Exploring Judaism, the digital home of Conservative Judaism. |
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JEWS & BREWS
Where better to enjoy some Jews and some brews than at a ballgame? Our next Jews and Brews event will be Thursday, May 14th, when the Charleston Dirty Birds host the Lexington Legends at 6:35pm.
At a typical Jews and Brews, the first round is on the synagogue. This time, the tickets will be on the synagogue, and the brews will be on you. (Don't worry, it happens to be dollar beer night!)
If you plan to attend, and if you are in the target demographic for Jews and Brews programming (the broader Charleston Jewish community in your 20s, 30s, or 40s), please click here to fill out the form.
At a typical Jews and Brews, the first round is on the synagogue. This time, the tickets will be on the synagogue, and the brews will be on you. (Don't worry, it happens to be dollar beer night!)
If you plan to attend, and if you are in the target demographic for Jews and Brews programming (the broader Charleston Jewish community in your 20s, 30s, or 40s), please click here to fill out the form.
WEEKLY CLASSES
Classes this week
Torah at Ten will meet at the synagogue on Tuesday at 10:00am.
Talmud at Ten will meet online on Thursday at 10:00am. Click here to join the Zoom session.
Torah at Ten will meet at the synagogue on Tuesday at 10:00am.
Talmud at Ten will meet online on Thursday at 10:00am. Click here to join the Zoom session.
SUNDAY SCHOOL
Sunday School
WEST VIRGINIA JEWISH FILM FESTIVAL
The West Virginia Jewish Film Festival is set to return on Sunday, June 21st. Join us at Marquee Cinemas for two Israeli films, at 1pm and 3pm: The Sea and The Road Between Us.
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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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.
CLassrooms without borders - germany close up
Germany Close Up
Classrooms Without Borders, a program of the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh, is excited to invite young Jewish professionals (from Pittsburgh, Charleston, or anywhere else!) to apply for the 2026 Germany Close Up (GCU) Study Seminar, taking place July 20-27, with an arrival in Munich on July 19, and departure from Berlin on July 28. Last spots are still available!
This highly subsidized program is an immersive leadership experience designed for young professionals. GCU offers participants a comprehensive look at modern Germany, highlighting both its history and contemporary society. The subsidized participation fee of $990 includes flights, hotels, and programmatic costs.
To be eligible, you must:
Classrooms Without Borders, a program of the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh, is excited to invite young Jewish professionals (from Pittsburgh, Charleston, or anywhere else!) to apply for the 2026 Germany Close Up (GCU) Study Seminar, taking place July 20-27, with an arrival in Munich on July 19, and departure from Berlin on July 28. Last spots are still available!
This highly subsidized program is an immersive leadership experience designed for young professionals. GCU offers participants a comprehensive look at modern Germany, highlighting both its history and contemporary society. The subsidized participation fee of $990 includes flights, hotels, and programmatic costs.
To be eligible, you must:
- Self-identify as Jewish
- Be a citizen of the U.S. or Canada
- Be under age 39
cAMP KEIF
Our friends in Huntington have invited the Charleston community to send children to the 11th year of Camp Keif, a free day camp at B'nai Sholom in Huntington. The camp will run from July 13th to 24th. Children can sign up for one or both weeks!
For more information, e-mail [email protected] or contact Susan Miller at 304-617-7488.
For more information, e-mail [email protected] or contact Susan Miller at 304-617-7488.
Announcing the B'nai Jacob Jewish Cultural and Youth Fund
Announcing the B'nai Jacob Jewish Cultural and Youth Fund
Est. 2025 in memory of Dorothy and Jonathan Kurland
Drs. Dorothy and Jonathan Kurland moved to Charleston in 1968. Dorothy was a professor of chemistry at West Virginia Institute of Technology, and Jon was a research chemist at Union Carbide. They were avid patrons of the arts in Charleston, and in Jewish culture and scholarship. They belonged to a visionary cohort of Charleston Jews that understood that a thriving Jewish community required a vibrant cultural life and youth activities. We hope that this fund will support the continuation of this tradition, bringing speakers, scholars, and musicians to the community and generally supporting cultural experiences and youth activities for members of the Charleston Jewish community.
We wholeheartedly thank the Kurland family for their generosity in supporting Jewish life in Charleston. Contributions to the fund can be made through the synagogue office or online. Make a note that your donation is intended for the fund.
Est. 2025 in memory of Dorothy and Jonathan Kurland
Drs. Dorothy and Jonathan Kurland moved to Charleston in 1968. Dorothy was a professor of chemistry at West Virginia Institute of Technology, and Jon was a research chemist at Union Carbide. They were avid patrons of the arts in Charleston, and in Jewish culture and scholarship. They belonged to a visionary cohort of Charleston Jews that understood that a thriving Jewish community required a vibrant cultural life and youth activities. We hope that this fund will support the continuation of this tradition, bringing speakers, scholars, and musicians to the community and generally supporting cultural experiences and youth activities for members of the Charleston Jewish community.
We wholeheartedly thank the Kurland family for their generosity in supporting Jewish life in Charleston. Contributions to the fund can be made through the synagogue office or online. Make a note that your donation is intended for the fund.
New Siddur (Prayer Book)
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New Siddur (Prayer Book)
We are proud to announce that our new weekday prayer book, Siddur Lev Shalem for Weekdays, has arrived! This is the completion of the series that includes the siddur we already use every Shabbat and the machzor we currently use on the High Holidays. Please join us for minyan at 5:45pm on Monday evening, May 4th, when we use our new books for the first time. Our festive service will mark this special occasion, as well as the minor Jewish holiday of Lag Ba'Omer. If you would like to dedicate one of the new books in memory of a departed loved one, or in honor of someone or of a special occasion, you can donate $50 per book to the synagogue's Prayer Book & Prayer Shawl Fund. I would also recommend purchasing a copy to have at home for whenever you join our services online. Moreover, with its updated translation and commentary that reflects our movement's approach, this is a recommended resource to have on hand in any Jewish |
home. Click here to learn more about the new prayer book and to take advantage of the pre-order pricing, which is still available.
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