The Foundations of Rabbinic Midrash with Rabbi Stone
2024-11-25 10:00 - 11:00 (America/New_York) | Zoom Only
Click here to register
We will turn our attention to one of the foundation documents that eventually furnished material used by the Rabbis in the formation of the Mishnah and the Talmud. The Mekhilta DeRabbi Yishmael, compiled in the early 3rd century is a commentary on the Torah with both narrative and legal pronouncements that helped to define emerging Rabbinic culture. This class meets weekly on a Monday at 10:00 AM.

On One Foot at BZBI - An Introduction to Judaism
2024-11-25 19:00 - 21:00 | PA
Judaism is a world unto itself, encompassing rituals, ideas, and thousands of years of history. If you’ve been curious about Jewish learning but didn’t know where to start, this is the place for you! The American Jewish University’s On One Foot curriculum covers all of the essentials in an interactive format that encourages personal engagement. Join Rabbis Abe Friedman, Abi Weber, and many other community rabbis for a year-long adventure in Jewish learning. This course is ideal for students seeking a basic orientation to fundamental Jewish concepts.
Classes meet weekly on a Monday at BZBI from 7:00 to 9:00 PM.
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER.
Conversion Candidates and interested partners should register through the Goodblatt website.
This class is offered in cooperation with the Rabbi Morris Goodblatt Academy Introduction to Judaism Program sponsored by the Philadelphia Region of the Rabbinical Assembly, which represents Conservative Jewish rabbis in Greater Philadelphia, Southern New Jersey and Delaware. Students interested in conversion should schedule an appointment to meet with one of the BZBI rabbis.

Zohar Class with Rabbi David Greenstein
2024-11-25 20:00 - 21:00 | Zoom Only
Word by word, line by line, page by page, we follow the Zohar, the most precious book of Jewish mystical teachings, as it leads us along its paths of primordial wisdom. By turns profound, puzzling, shocking and amusing, the Zohar helps us, through our study and our open discussions, to taste of the Tree of Life. Our studies touch on such topics as the nature of God, the relationship between God and the world, the human soul, the purpose of life, Jewish traditions and their meanings, sexuality and holiness, good and evil, caring for one’s self and caring for others.
This course will run every Monday throughout the academic year. The cost is $180 for BZBI members and $250 for community members.
Click here to register.

The Books of Samuel with Rabbi Stone
2024-11-26 10:00 - 11:00 | Zoom Only
Click here to register
One of the most important early prophetic books, actually a transition between the period of the Judges and the period of the later Prophets, the books also describe the transition from the tribal confederation to the centralized monarchy in Jewish history. We will be attuned to these historical issues, while also tracing the maturing theology of these later biblical narratives. This class meets weekly on a Tuesday at 10:00 AM.

Sisterhood Monthly Planning Meeting
2024-12-02 18:30 - 19:30 | PA
Kahaner Auditorium (in-person only)
This is the last meeting of the 2024-25 program year for Sisterhood members. Please join us for a potluck dinner and meeting!
Join on Zoom by clicking here.
Passcode: [REDACTED]

The BZBI Parents Association Sip & Shop Event
2024-12-11 18:00 - 20:30 | Kahaner Auditorium
We have some truly wonderful vendors coming: Born Yesterday, Philly Homer, Sylvie and Gold, Strut This, All Aboard Candy and many more! There is a $10 entry fee (includes drinks and light bites) register here!

Exploring The Jewish Holiday Table With Cookbook Co-Author Devra Ferst and Rabbi Abi Weber
2024-12-12 18:45 - 20:00 | BZBI chapel
Join us at BZBI as Co-Author Devra Ferst and Rabbi Abi Weber discuss The Jewish Holiday Table. This event is free and open to the public, please click here to register and to make a $10 donation towards security.
The program starts promptly at 7:30 PM, join us at 6:45 PM for nosh and book-signing!
Devra Ferst is a freelance food and travel writer from Center City Philadelphia who is now based in Brooklyn. She is the co-author of The Jewish Holiday Table: A World of Recipes, Traditions & Stories to Celebrate All Year Long and the author of an Opinionated Guide to New York. Her words have appeared in the New York Times, Eater, Bon Appétit, Vogue, and numerous other publications. When she’s not writing or cooking, you can find her on the road, traveling for months with a single carry-on suitcase.

Lag BaOmer with Marni Loffman: Final Concert of the BZBI Jewish Music Series
2024-12-15 | BZBI Sanctuary
Join the BZBI community as we celebrate the mystical holiday of Lag BaOmer with the final concert of the BZBI Jewish Music Series. Marni Loffman is an up-and-coming musician whose debut album, the long short path, combines elements of Ashkenazi nusach with contemporary American genres including folk, pop, jazz, and neo-soul. Marni writes, “This album is an invitation to connect from wherever you are on your journey: from a place of eternal wandering and continual arrival, from the paradox of belief, from desiring ‘traditional’ sounds and also yearning for relevance and meaning, from not knowing exactly where you belong, from recognizing a kernel of truth everywhere but also knowing that no place contains the full picture.” Register for the concert here.
The BZBI Jewish Music Series is thanks to the generous support of Laurie Wagman, along with sponsor Arlene Fickler and supporters Sheldon & Penny Bernick, Morton & Carmel Levine, Lawrence Kerson & Toba Schwaber Kerson, and Judith Shadden Torrance.
Thursday, May 15 at 7:00 PM at BZBI

Serve for 8: Wrap Up Event and Baked Goods Drop Off
2024-12-15 10:00 - 14:00 | BZBI chapel
We will be wrapping items and packing snacks from our donation collections for clients of the Bethesda Project. If you would like to volunteer for this event, please reach out to Julia Pollock or Eileen Dwell.
You can also drop off baked goods at BZBI for Howies House and Gift of Life from 1:00 to 2:00 PM on December 15. Do some holiday baking with your family and donate a batch to these organizations. Accepted baked goods include brownies, individual cookies, muffins and cupcakes (no loafs please).

BZBI Board Meeting
2024-12-16 18:30 - 20:30 | BZBI chapel

Board Game Shabbat
2024-12-21 13:00 - 16:00 | Kahaner Auditorium
Join members of BZBI after Kiddush for Board Game Shabbat! Play some of your favorite games from Mahjongg to Wingspan.
Feel free to bring your own Shabbat friendly game and Kosher snacks to share!

Pre-Hanukkah Party: The Gelt is Right
2024-12-23 19:00 - 21:30 | Kahaner Auditorium
Can’t wait for Hanukkah? Ready to start eating more latkes?
Join us for a pre-Hanukkah gathering featuring yummy eats and an intense competition that will imagine what it would look like if Bob Barker were Jewish. Register here (optional donation encouraged)! Drinks are BYOB.

Serve for 8: Trinity Winter Shelter Volunteering
2024-12-25 18:00 - 20:30 | Trinity Memorial Church, 2212 Spruce St, Philadelphia, PA, 19103, United States
Each year BZBI cooks and serves 20-25 men who reside in the Trinity Church at 22nd and Spruce Streets. It’s a wonderful experience for all involved as we “break bread” together. You can participate in a number of ways:

Select an item(s) to drop off at the church (on December 25 from 6:00 – 7:00 PM). Click here to sign up for food drop off. *Important – please label your food packages clearly with the following: Dec 25th Dinner, Contents, e.g. Chicken dinner, Directions for warming, serving, etc.
Come help set up and serve the men on December 25 from 7:00-8:30 PM. Please email Rachel Luterman if you plan to help set up and serve dinner.

Voices of Jewish American Poets: Thursday Lunch and Learn
2025-01-09 12:00 - 13:15 | BZBI chapel
Join congregant Nancy Leaderman to explore and discuss the wide-ranging perspectives of Jewish American poets. Bring your lunch (dairy or parve) and dive into some amazing poems. No prior knowledge or preparation required, but registration is appreciated.
Click here to register.

Jewish Heritage Night at the Philadelphia Flyers
2025-01-09 19:00 - 22:00 | Wells Fargo Center, 3601 South Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA, 19148, US
Join us for the Philadelphia Flyers Jewish Heritage Night! Each ticket purchased includes a Jewish Heritage apron and raises money for BZBI! Click here to order your tickets.
Items will be available for pick up the night of the game. Pick up your item at the Redemption Center located in the 11th Street Atrium by section 113.

Volunteer Appreciation Shabbat
2025-01-18 12:00 - 13:00 | PA
There are over 200 volunteers at BZBI that make programming, classes and events a reality. Every member at BZBI knows a volunteer – this year, honor them by contributing to our festive kiddush. We will celebrate our volunteers on January 18 during both Shabbat services and Kiddush.
Click here to make a donation towards Kiddush in honor of a volunteer.

Serve for 8: Volunteer at MANNA
2025-01-20 17:00 - 20:00 | PA
Join your BZBI community on MLK, Jr. Day at MANNA to help prepare food for people living with serious illness. We have committed to filling the evening shift (5:00 – 8:00 PM) at the MANNA facility at 420 North 20th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19130 and would love to see you there!
Teens 14+ years old are welcome. Fill out this Google Interest Form and Suzy Dayanim will reach out to you with volunteer details. If you have questions, feel free to contact Suzy at: sldayanim@gmail.com.

Refugee Shabbat
2025-01-25 | PA
The needs of immigrant families will be greater than ever this year. During Shabbat morning services we’ll hear from Philippe Weisz, Director of Legal Services for HIAS PA. Just a few days after the Inauguration, Philippe will share his professional perspective on the new administration’s challenges to immigration policy and services.
After Kiddush, join us to hear the challenges and successes of the refugee family BZBI and Society Hill Synagogue sponsored before the COVID pandemic.

BZBI Book Club: My Father’s Paradise by Ariel Sabar
2025-01-29 19:00 - 20:30 | In the Chapel & on Zoom
Larry Copeland will lead the review – to order a copy of the book ahead of the next meeting date, click here.
One of the author’s family members, whom he discusses in the book, his Aunt Ayala, will join us in-person to answer questions about the Sabar family experience — from Kurdish Iraq, to Israel, and then the United States — and offer her own perspective to the story. There are rumors that the Middle Eastern liquor, Arak, will be poured for in-person attendees.
Feel free to bring kosher dessert or fruit to share.

BZBI Urban Shabbaton 5785: A Weekend to Sing, Learn, Connect and Belong
2025-01-31 - 2025-02-02 | PA
Highlights include:

Meals ALL weekend including a fully catered Friday night dinner featuring a chicken course (vegetarian options will be available), Seudah Shlisheet (Saturday dinner) featuring Mama’s Falafel and a Sunday brunch
Prayer, music, and learning all Shabbat with guest rabbis Yosef Goldman and Annie Lewis
“The United States: The First Mussar Republic,” a Friday night discussion between Jeffrey Rosen (CEO of the National Constitution Center) and Rabbi Ira Stone
Saturday night concert with Yosef Goldman and a full musical ensemble
Community members including State Representative Ben Waxman, Rabbi David Greenstein, Josh Rosenberg, Anne Albert, and Jessica Simon Pollock leading breakout sessions on Saturday afternoon
Sunday brunch and lecture with Claire Finkelstein, Director of UPenn’s Center for Ethics and the Rule of Law

Click here for full event information.

Sisterhood Goes to the Movies (Part 2)
2025-02-06 19:30 - 21:30 | The Weitzman, 101 South Independence Mall, Philadelphia, PA, 19106, United States
Join the BZBI Sisterhood to see our very own Ilana Trachtman’s movie Ain’t No Back to a Merry-Go-Round.
Buy your tickets here before they sell out. More details to follow.

Super Bowl Sunday with Winter Shelter: Cook & Serve
2025-02-09 16:00 - 20:00 | PA
Do you have zero interest in the Super Bowl and want to find something else to do that day? Do you LOVE the Superbowl and want to watch it with a group of Philly sports fanatics? There’s room for both at the Tikkun Olam Committee’s Super Bowl Sunday at Trinity Memorial Church’s Winter Shelter.
Trinity Memorial Church is home to a shelter of 22 beds for homeless men run by the Bethesda Project. Our own BZBI member Terry Hirshorn runs a program that prepares and serves dinner there every evening from November through April. The Tikkun Olam Committee has committed to preparing and serving the meal on Super Bowl Sunday – join us to shop, cook, serve, or watch the game with the guys!
Davida Charney has offered to coordinate our efforts. Please use this spreadsheet to sign up: BZBI @ Winter Shelter 2025.
We would love to make this an ongoing program – let Bill know if you’d like to commit to cooking or serving in March or April!

Shabbat B'yachad Home Hosted Dinner
2025-02-21 17:00 - 21:00 | PA
On February 21, BZBI Community Members will open their homes to host fellow congregants for Shabbat Dinner. It is a great way to meet other BZBI members, welcome new community members and start your own tradition of having Shabbat Dinner with BZBI friends and families. There will be guidelines for host families to help them facilitate such a meal and participants will also receive guidelines as an attendee.

Click here to become a host for Shabbat B’yachad.

Click here if you would like to be a guest of a Shabbat B’yachad hosted dinner.

The deadline for both forms is Tuesday, February 4. Our matching committee will reach out to all that have signed up with guest and host information ahead of the dinner on February 21.

BZBI Book Club
2025-03-05 19:00 - 20:00 | In the Chapel & on Zoom
The BZBI book club will be reviewing ​The Cost of Free Land: Jews, Lakota, and an American Inheritance by Rebecca Clarren.
Click here to order your book ahead of the next meeting.

Hand in Hand: Creating a Shared Society in Israel
2025-03-08 13:00 - 14:00 | Kahaner Auditorium
Stay after kiddush on Saturday, March 8 to hear from guest speaker Lee Gordon, co-founder of the network of Hand in Hand schools. These integrated, bilingual schools for Jewish and Arab Israeli children represent a model for a peaceful shared society in the Holy Land. Lee will share with us some of the unique challenges and successes facing the organization in the past year.

Purim Block Party
2025-03-09 15:00 - 17:00 | Fitler Square, Pine Street between 23rd & 24th Street, Philadelphia, PA, 19103, United States
Join us for our annual Purim block party in Fitler Square from 3:00 to 5:00 PM. There will be carnival games, crafts, face-painting, a photo booth, pretzels, hamentashen, Drag Queen Story Time, Dr. Dani Dance Pants, A DJ and more! For an all inclusive experience, you can buy a wristband for $20 (drinks and food not included).
If you wish to buy individual tickets for games and attractions, you will also be able to do so! To volunteer for the block party, click here.

Megillah Reading, Purim Pub & Karaoke
2025-03-13 19:30 - 22:00 | PA
BZBI welcomes all to attend the Megillah reading at 7:30 PM in the Goldberg Sanctuary and participate in our costume contest during the reading. Costume contest categories include: Best Jewish/ Biblical costume, Best Group costume and Best Pun costume.
Afterwards, a Purim pub will take place at 9:00 PM in the Kahaner Auditorium with Karaoke, snacks and drinks (for adults and children).

Clean Your Pantry for Pesah Food Drive
2025-03-24 08:00 - 17:00 | PA
Donate unopened packages of canned goods, pasta, rice, chickpeas and legumes for our annual Pesah Food Drive! A bin will be available in the 18th Street Lobby to drop off donations.

Passover Q&A with Rabbi Abe Friedman
2025-03-24 18:00 - 19:00 | BZBI chapel
Nothing in the Jewish year provokes as many questions as Passover: Where do I shop? How do you make little origami frogs? How long should my Seder be? What is Slivovitz, anyway? And this year, when the first Seder falls on Saturday night, there’s even more to think through as we prepare for the Shabbat that is also erev Pesah.

Trans Allyship Shabbat: A Training and Discussion with Galia Godel
2025-03-29 12:30 - 14:00 | BZBI chapel
As attacks on the LGBT community have grown in the last several months, BZBI has invited Galia Godel, Program Manager of the LGBTQ Initiative at Philadelphia’s Jewish Family and Children’s Services, to speak to our congregation after kiddush. Galia will explain concepts related to gender and sexuality, take questions from the community, and speak about ways that BZBI can continue to support our queer and trans members. If you are part of the LGBTQ community or have queer and trans family members, you are also warmly invited to speak about your own experiences.
