Fall Shabbaton
Nov
7
to Nov 8

Fall Shabbaton

The Fall Shabbaton is an annual event that brings together the Maine Jewish community and friends from farther afield for a weekend of Torah study, soulful music, Shabbat meals, and invigorating connection. What started out as a Friday gathering has evolved into a full Shabbat of learning and singing, with intergenerational programs for college students, children and teens, and community from across the state. The Shabbaton is a partner program to the Maine Conference for Jewish Life, sustaining our community with Jewish learning and music as we enter the winter months.

To register click HERE

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Creating Connection in Challenging Times
Nov
13
7:00 PM19:00

Creating Connection in Challenging Times

In today's fraught climate, it can be intimidating to navigate conversations with family, friends, and colleagues—especially when you don't see eye to eye—while maintaining respect and curiosity rather than defensiveness. But understanding someone doesn't require agreeing with them.

Creating Connection in Challenging Times is a four-part reading and discussion series designed to help Beth Israel members navigate hard conversations about Israel/Palestine with empathy and openness. Each session explores one of four themes—home, safety, people, and obligation—through a shared text or short film, followed by guided practice in active listening. By focusing on how we hear one another, even when we disagree, this program offers practical tools for building understanding and strengthening relationships.

Each session will be at the Minnie Brown Center on the following dates and times:

November 13, 7:00 pm
December 11, 7:00 pm
January 15, 7:00 pm

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Creating Connection in Challenging Times
Dec
11
7:00 PM19:00

Creating Connection in Challenging Times

In today's fraught climate, it can be intimidating to navigate conversations with family, friends, and colleagues—especially when you don't see eye to eye—while maintaining respect and curiosity rather than defensiveness. But understanding someone doesn't require agreeing with them.

Creating Connection in Challenging Times is a four-part reading and discussion series designed to help Beth Israel members navigate hard conversations about Israel/Palestine with empathy and openness. Each session explores one of four themes—home, safety, people, and obligation—through a shared text or short film, followed by guided practice in active listening. By focusing on how we hear one another, even when we disagree, this program offers practical tools for building understanding and strengthening relationships.

Each session will be at the Minnie Brown Center on the following dates and times:

November 13, 7:00 pm
December 11, 7:00 pm
January 15, 7:00 pm

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Creating Connection in Challenging Times
Jan
15
7:00 PM19:00

Creating Connection in Challenging Times

In today's fraught climate, it can be intimidating to navigate conversations with family, friends, and colleagues—especially when you don't see eye to eye—while maintaining respect and curiosity rather than defensiveness. But understanding someone doesn't require agreeing with them.

Creating Connection in Challenging Times is a four-part reading and discussion series designed to help Beth Israel members navigate hard conversations about Israel/Palestine with empathy and openness. Each session explores one of four themes—home, safety, people, and obligation—through a shared text or short film, followed by guided practice in active listening. By focusing on how we hear one another, even when we disagree, this program offers practical tools for building understanding and strengthening relationships.

Each session will be at the Minnie Brown Center on the following dates and times:

November 13, 7:00 pm
December 11, 7:00 pm
January 15, 7:00 pm

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New Torah Commentary Pilot
Nov
2
10:00 PM22:00

New Torah Commentary Pilot

Join Rabbi Vinikoor and over 195 Congregations from across the country for a special Torah study session using a pilot version of the New Reform Torah Commentary. 

The Torah portion for that week will be Vayera (Genesis 18:1-22:24) and during our time together we will have the opportunity to study the parsha using the new commentary. We will engage with the text and then have the opportunity to offer direct feedback to help shape this historic project. 

RSVP to Rabbi Vinikoor at rabbivinikoor@gmail.com so she can get a sense of who is coming

Minnie Brown Center

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Sukkot Shabbat Evening Service
Oct
10
5:30 PM17:30

Sukkot Shabbat Evening Service

5:30 pm - Minnie Brown Center (potluck)
7:00 pm - Minnie Brown Center (service)

Join us for Shabbat Potluck in the Sukkah in front of the Minnie Brown Center at 5:30 pm followed by a musical Shabbat service at 7:00 pm in the Synagogue led by our new rabbinical apprentice Alexina Haefner and featuring our guest speaker Evan Murray (he/him and they/them), Civic Engagement Director for Democracy Maine and the League of Women Voters. Alexina will lead us in a musical Shabbat service and Evan will speak with us about Question 1 which will be on the ballot this November. Services followed by an Oneg Shabbat sponsored by the Cavalieri-Dunn and Inkellis families. It is sure to be a wonderful evening. Join us to celebrate Sukkot, democracy, community and to warmly welcome Alexina and Evan!

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Yom Kippur Service
Oct
2
10:00 AM10:00

Yom Kippur Service

10:00 am                       
Yom Kippur Morning Service followed by Yizkor Service
Led by Rabbi Lisa Vinikoor
Synagogue

4:15 pm                
Mincha and Neilah Service
Led by Rabbi Lisa Vinikoor
Synagogue

6:00 pm               
Shofar Blowing and Havdalah
Followed by Potluck Break-Fast
Led by Rabbi Lisa Vinikoor
Synagogue

Tickets are not required for entry to our High Holiday services. However, we do ask that you RSVP to let us know which services you expect to attend.

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Adult Learning Class
Sep
25
6:30 PM18:30

Adult Learning Class

Prepare for the High Holidays with an in-depth study of the Book of Jonah “one of the shortest, most mysterious and morally ambiguous books in the Jewish canon.” Together we will study the text of Jonah and engage with The Book of Jonah: A Social Justice Commentary by Rabbi Shmuly Yanklowitz published in 2020. Through reading, discussion and reflection, we will explore themes of the High Holidays such as truth as a value, justice and compassion, our universal and particular obligations, and our human responsibilities in this shared world.

All texts in English and all are welcome. Please RSVP to Rabbi Vinikoor at rabbivinikoor@gmail.com by August 8 to sign up for this class. We will be ordering books at a cost of $19.95 each. All classes meet at the Minnie Brown Center.

Thursday,  Aug. 21, 6:30pm
Thursday, Sept. 11, 6:30pm
Thursday, Sept. 25, 6:30pm

 

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Rosh Hashanah Service
Sep
23
10:00 AM10:00

Rosh Hashanah Service

10:00 am                             
Rosh Hashanah Service
Led by Rabbi Lisa Vinikoor
Synagogue

12:30 pm               
Community Potluck Luncheon
Bring salad, bread or dessert.
Minnie Brown Center

2:00 pm
Tashlich Service
Led by Rabbi Lisa Vinikoor

4:00 pm                 
Family Service
Led by Rabbi Lisa Vinikoor
Synagogue

5:30 pm
Community Dinner
Minnie Brown Center

Tickets are not required for entry to our High Holiday services. However, we do ask that you RSVP to let us know which services you expect to attend.

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Adult Learning Class
Sep
11
6:30 PM18:30

Adult Learning Class

Prepare for the High Holidays with an in-depth study of the Book of Jonah “one of the shortest, most mysterious and morally ambiguous books in the Jewish canon.” Together we will study the text of Jonah and engage with The Book of Jonah: A Social Justice Commentary by Rabbi Shmuly Yanklowitz published in 2020. Through reading, discussion and reflection, we will explore themes of the High Holidays such as truth as a value, justice and compassion, our universal and particular obligations, and our human responsibilities in this shared world.

All texts in English and all are welcome. Please RSVP to Rabbi Vinikoor at rabbivinikoor@gmail.com by August 8 to sign up for this class. We will be ordering books at a cost of $19.95 each. All classes meet at the Minnie Brown Center.

Thursday,  Aug. 21, 6:30pm
Thursday, Sept. 11, 6:30pm
Thursday, Sept. 25, 6:30pm

 

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Adult Learning Class
Aug
21
6:30 PM18:30

Adult Learning Class

Prepare for the High Holidays with an in-depth study of the Book of Jonah “one of the shortest, most mysterious and morally ambiguous books in the Jewish canon.” Together we will study the text of Jonah and engage with The Book of Jonah: A Social Justice Commentary by Rabbi Shmuly Yanklowitz published in 2020. Through reading, discussion and reflection, we will explore themes of the High Holidays such as truth as a value, justice and compassion, our universal and particular obligations, and our human responsibilities in this shared world.

All texts in English and all are welcome. Please RSVP to Rabbi Vinikoor at rabbivinikoor@gmail.com by August 8 to sign up for this class. We will be ordering books at a cost of $19.95 each. All classes meet at the Minnie Brown Center.

Thursday,  Aug. 21, 6:30pm
Thursday, Sept. 11, 6:30pm
Thursday, Sept. 25, 6:30pm

 

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Community Read
Jun
29
1:30 PM13:30

Community Read

Please join us in reading and discussing Geraldine Brooks’ New York Times Bestseller, Memorial Days.

Heralded by the New York Times, Los Angeles Times, Washington Post, and others, Brooks’ memoir tracks the geography of grief as she comes to terms with the ongoing nature of outliving the ones you love most. While her memoir is a testament to her own unique loss, it serves as a lifeline to others who find themselves in the unfamiliar landscape of grief.

Copies of Memorial Days are available through your local library, on Minerva, or through your favorite bookseller.

Please contact Debbie Smyth with questions.

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