CONGREGATION B'NAI ISRAEL'S MISSION

Congregation B'nai Israel's Mission is to make the practice of Judaism an integral part of its congregants' lives. It seeks to accomplish this mission be creating an accessible synagogue community that encourages Jews of every age, sex, and ability to study, worship, engage in acts of lovingkindness and build K'lal Yisrael, all in a manner consistent with the principles of conservative Judaism.

Egalitarianism
Education
Spirituality
Halacha
Gemilut Hasadim
Tradition

History

Toledo's Jewish community originated before 1857, and organized a synagogue known as "Beny Israel" sometime before 1871. The year 1966 was selected by B'nai Israel's board as the synagogue's centennial.

B'nai Israel today...

The B'nai Israel that has entered the 21st century would in many ways surprise its Civil War era founders, but they would be pleased with what they see. Newly located on the campus of the Jewish Community Center in Sylvania, Congregation B'nai Israel offers a welcoming and friendly environment for worship, study, cultural events and social activities. We are a member of United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism and take seriously the tenets of the Conservative movement.

B'nai Israel is a truly diverse congregation. We have approximately 425 families and individuals as members-- but we count them one by one. Our members live not just in Toledo, Sylvania and its suburbs, but also in surrounding communities such as Bowling Green and Findlay, Ohio, and Monroe, Michigan. Congregation B'nai Israel was an early leader in the U.S. in the movement toward equal participation of men and women in Jewish religious life. This is a tradition we proudly maintain.

Rabbi Moshe Saks, who previously served as rabbi at Beth Tzedec Congregation in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, joined us in August 2007 as our permanent rabbi. Cantor Ivor Lichterman joins us in 2011, having previously served as cantor at Congregation Anshei Israel, Tucson, Arizona. Together they make up our devoted and caring clergy team.

Welcome Home to B'nai Israel...

We maintain a daily minyan, drawing men and women of all ages to begin and end the day with prayer. Congregation B'nai Israel is proud of its wide range of educational activities for both adults and youth. Our excellent joint religious school with Congregation Etz Chayim, Yad B'Yad, coordinates its curriculum with the Toledo Talmud Torah afternoon program and instills our youth with a love of the Jewish tradition. Our adult education programs offer stimulating learning opportunities at all levels-- from an introduction to our tradition to advanced discussions of philosophy and text. Courses vary from season to season.

Our affiliates-- United Synagogue Youth (USY), Kadima, Mitzvah Knitters and Sisterhood, all offer creative programs for the various components of our synagogue family.

Congregation B'nai Israel continues its long tradition of cooperation within the Jewish community. We are one with our fellow Jews of all denominations. B'nai Israel is also widely recognized as a center of broader community and inter-religious cooperation as we pursue our obligation of Tikkun Olam-- our obligation to repair the world.

Join us for any of our services, classes or social events. If you have any questions, call us or e-mail us. Click here for map of where to find us.

A PLACE OF GATHERING

The Synagogue’s many groups provide members opportunities to meet and develop friendships, give service to the Synagogue, and truly become integral parts of the Congregation B’nai Israel family.

YOUTH PROGRAMS

Congregation B’nai Israel offers a wide variety of religious, cultural, social and recreational activities for our youth. The aim of our youth program is to provide young people with opportunities to meet for enjoyable activities while learning more about our Jewish heritage.

KADIMA AND USY

Our youth program is divided into two groups: Kadima (grades 6-8), and United Synagogue Youth (USY grades 9-12). Each of our youth groups holds a number of activities each month. Our Kadima and USY chapters are nationally and regionally (CRUSY) affiliated, making it possible for our young people to attend various regional and national functions several times during the year. Although overseen by advisors, both groups are youth-led, affording leadership opportunities for our members.

We attempt to cultivate a social consciousness in our young people by involving them in social action projects in the community, such as our annual High Holiday Food Drive. Our activities also seek to foster commitment to Zionism and the State of Israel, and are a most effective vehicle for supplementing young peoples’ formal Jewish education.

Both Kadima and USY have nominal annual membership dues, and are open to any local Jewish youth.

SISTERHOOD/WOMEN'S LEAGUE

Congregation B’nai Israel’s Sisterhood is a member of the Women’s League for Conservative Judaism and dedicated to the perpetuation of traditional Judaism, and understanding of our heritage through education, and the development of a Jewish pattern of life through home observance and holiday celebrations.

Sisterhood programs include educational forums, an annual Sukkot dinner, Torah Fund luncheon, Chanukah party, Sisterhood Sabbath, family outreach, and more. We offer opportunities for personal growth. Jewish involvement, cultural enrichment and educational pursuits. Our members establish lasting relationships; share in life cycle events, network for social and business contacts, and respond to the needs of our members and the community.

Sisterhood operates the Judaica Gift Shop. It also directs fund raising efforts such as rummage sales and other events that subsidize the religious school and various education programs; benefit the Jewish Theological Seminary; provide aid to the sick, elderly and disabled; and, meet the needs of teens, college students, singles and recent immigrants.

SING OUT SHABBAT

A new, monthly Shabbat evening service for people of all ages, Sing Out Shabbat features energetic Shabbat melodies, both traditional and contemporary. Our live in-house band accompanies us as we sing out together in song. Followed by dessert.

S.O.A.P.

Synagogue Organized Afternoon Program meets every Wednesday at 1:00 PM for an hour of learning, followed by coffee and Mahjongg, cards or just “schmoozing”. Open to all.

ADULT EDUCATION

Throughout the year, several adult education classes are offered, primarily taught by our clergy. Courses are free and open to the public.

RELIGIOUS SCHOOL

The Yad B’Yad Religious School is a joint Sunday School with Congregation B’nai Israel and Congregation Etz Chayim. The school provides not only Jewish educational opportunities for our students, but social ones as well. Pre-K through grade 10 meets every Sunday from 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM at Congregation B’nai Israel during the school year.

RELIGIOUS SERVICES

Congregation B’nai Israel provides a full array of daily, Shabbat and holiday worship services. A Kiddush lunch, open to all, is served each Shabbat after Saturday morning services.

CLERGY VISITATION

LET US KNOW! The Rabbi & Hazzan try to visit all our members who are hospitalized or ill, but they can't go if they don't know! Due to HIPA regulations, the synagogue is not always notified when our members are in the hospital.

If you or someone you know is in the hospital or would appreciate a visit at home from the Rabbi or Hazzan, please call the synagogue office at 419-517-8400.