Torah Project
Torah Project
Click below to watch a short, inspirational video from our first Torah Writing Day!
Join us in Writing Our Future: the Creation of B’nai Tzedek’s Sefer Torah.
Over the next year, CBT families and members of all ages will have the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to help write our congregation’s very own Torah. A symbol of generational continuity and the 613th Mitzvah, the Sefer Torah will connect our rich past to our promising future.
Come write with us for:
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The future of your family
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The future of our synagogue
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The future of the Jewish people
How to get involved
Writing
To sign up for a Torah writing slot on November 19th, click here to email
info@cbtpotomac.org or call the office at (301) 299-0225.
Volunteering
If you are interested in volunteering on one of our writing days, please click here.
Torah Dedications
If you would like more information about our Torah Writing Project, please click here.
If you would like to make a dedication, click on one of the following:
List of opportunities by value, click here.
List of opportunities by area of interest, click here.
Or call the office at 301-299-0225.
A Letter From Rabbi Weinblatt
B’nai Tzedek is undertaking one of the most exciting and biggest projects we have taken on since we built our building, and we want you to be a part of it.
In 1992, just four years after a handful of families joined with me to found Congregation B’nai Tzedek, we purchased the beautiful five acre property where our building currently sits. The first 100 families, mostly young people in their 30’s and 40’s, dug deep and contributed the funds that allowed us to buy the land and build our facility. In 1994 we moved in and expanded it two more times since then.
35 years after we first dreamt of creating a new synagogue, and after all these years of b’nai and b’not mitzvah and celebrations and life cycle events in our sanctuary, we are writing our very own Torah scroll!
All of the sifrei Torah donated to us over the years had previously been used elsewhere -- until now. We have commissioned a sofer (scribe) to write a brand new Torah scroll for our congregation.
In the coming months we will have educational programs for kids and adults to explain many fascinating facets about the Torah and why the mitzvah of writing a scroll is so very important and special, including a series of experiential educational booths and workshops on the days when the scribe will be with us. Since writing a Torah is considered the 613th mitzvah, incumbent on all Jews, and can be fulfilled symbolically by writing a single letter, you and your family will be able to perform this commandment and actually write a letter in the Torah scroll.
As is traditional when a congregation takes on a project like this, in addition to the educational and spiritual component, there will also be an opportunity to support the synagogue that is the home of the new scroll. We hope that members will give generously, so we will have the funds necessary to ensure a secure future for our dynamic congregation. You will be able to make a donation that has significance for you – such as donating to dedicate the parasha of your bar or bat mitzvah, or of your child’s parasha, or of a verse, or a word, concept, or even just a letter.
A midrash tells us that all the people of Israel were present when the Torah was given at Mt. Sinai. It goes on to teach that if any one person is missing, the people are not complete, just as when any one letter is missing, the Torah is not complete. We also aspire to be complete, and to have full participation of all our members in this once in a lifetime opportunity.
This is the scroll we will use for years to come. We will read from it on the holidays. Our children will read from it at their b’nai mitzvah. We want you to be able to say to the generations that come after you that you helped to make it happen.
To sign up for one of our Torah-writing days, or to volunteer to help, or to make a donation, please click here.
L’shalom,
Rabbi Stuart Weinblatt
Sat, December 9 2023
26 Kislev 5784
This Week at CBT
All Events
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Wednesday ,
DecDecember 13 , 2023
Wednesday, Dec 13th 6:30p to 8:30p
Get ready for a night of fun and games with fellow B'nai Boomers at Quincy's Bingo night! No admission fee and first round of appetizers is on CBT.* Please RSVP below by December 9th. *Appetizers generously provided by the family of Sheldon Shapiro. -
Thursday ,
DecDecember 14 , 2023
Thursday, Dec 14th 9:30a to 10:30a
Join Rabbi Weinblatt in this popular class to study the parasha for the week. If you can't make it in person, join via Zoom by clicking here! -
Thursday ,
DecDecember 14 , 2023
Thursday, Dec 14th 5:00p to 5:30p
Join us to light the Chanukah candles at Park Potomac, across from Attman's! -
Thursday ,
DecDecember 14 , 2023
Thursday, Dec 14th 6:00p to 7:00p
(KINDSOUPS) Calling all Chefs! Sisterhood will be holding its first Bnai Buddies (a nickname for our Bnai Tzedek Sisterhood KindSoup chefs 😊) virtual soup cooking event on Thursday December 14th 6:00-7:00 pm. From the comfort of our kitchens via Zoom, KindSoups guru, Marsha Scheinman, will lead Bnai Buddies to prepare Turkish Red Lentil Soup. KindSoups is one of the many programs from KindWorks which helps residents in need as well as newly-arrived refugees in our community. Since the start of Covid, KindSoup has distributed 11-thousand quarts of soup! We’ll be on Zoom from 6:00-7:00 pm, with about a half hour of advance prep time. Each of us will purchase ingredients needed for the soup. Marsha Scheinman suggests a 10-quart pot, or you can use two smaller pots. The soup needs to be frozen, so please freeze the containers and distribute that week to one of the identified community-based organizations. You are encouraged to share soup with your family for dinner and with friends who may have suffered a loss or are struggling through a difficult time. We will provide each participant with quart containers and labels. Please RSVP to Sharon Pollack Sharontpollack@gmail.com to join on December 14th. -
Friday ,
DecDecember 15 , 2023
Friday, Dec 15th 11:30a to 1:00p
Hazak Jewish Genealogy, Part 2 with Harry Moatz Friday, December 15, 2023 11:30 AM - 1:30 PM CBT in the Board Room After a successful November event, we are so excited to invite our CBT seniors to the December Hazak program. This month will continue our Jewish Genealogy theme led by special guest Harry Moatz! Lunch will be provided Come and meet old friends and new! $10/person. Register below! -
Saturday ,
DecDecember 16 , 2023
Shabbat, Dec 16th 9:00a to 12:00p
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Saturday ,
DecDecember 16 , 2023
Shabbat, Dec 16th 9:00a to 12:00p
If you or your child has a B'nai Mitzvah between January 2024 and June 2024, then this event is for you! Come and join Rabbi Weinblatt & Cantor Kapell in the Sanctuary. -
Saturday ,
DecDecember 16 , 2023
Motzei Shabbat, Dec 16th 7:00p to 9:30p
Theatre@CBT presents Falsettos Saturday, October 28th (evening) & Sunday, October 29th (matinee) Book by: William Finn and James Lapine Falsettos is the story of a dysfunctional, but loving, Jewish family in New York at the end of the 1970s and early 1980s. Both hilarious and heartbreaking at times, as the family deals with relationships, gender norms, sexuality and the beginning of the AIDS epidemic-- all while planning a Bar Mitzvah. Click below to purchase tickets! This show is recommended for ages 12 and up, due to its mature themes. -
Sunday ,
DecDecember 17 , 2023
Sunday, Dec 17th 2:00p to 4:00p
Theatre@CBT presents Falsettos Saturday, October 28th at 8:00 pm & Sunday, October 29th at 2:00 pm Book by: William Finn and James Lapine Falsettos is the story of a dysfunctional, but loving, Jewish family in New York at the end of the 1970s and early 1980s. Both hilarious and heartbreaking at times, as the family deals with relationships, gender norms, sexuality and the beginning of the AIDS epidemic-- all while planning a Bar Mitzvah. Click HERE to purchase tickets! This show is recommended for ages 12 and up, due to its mature themes. -
Monday ,
DecDecember 18 , 2023
Monday, Dec 18th 10:00a to 12:00p
Mazel Tov Us!
Best Of:
Hebrew School
Kiddush
Special Needs Shabbat Service
Runner Up:
Family Friendly Shabbat Service
Performing Arts Organization
Judaica Shop
Sat, December 9 2023 26 Kislev 5784