Welcome to Temple B'nai Brith in Somerville!
We are an independent egalitarian congregation. Our membership reflects the wide variety of choices people make in living Jewish lives, and we are respectful of those differences. We welcome all who care about enriching Jewish life in Somerville and surrounding towns.
Join us for...
Kabbalat Shabbat Services: 6pm every Friday
Shabbat Morning Services: 9:15am every Saturday except Shabbat Together weeks
Shabbat Together: a different Shabbat service, one Saturday monthly at 10am
Tot Shabbat Services: 10am one Saturday monthly
We are an independent egalitarian congregation. Our membership reflects the wide variety of choices people make in living Jewish lives, and we are respectful of those differences. We welcome all who care about enriching Jewish life in Somerville and surrounding towns.
Join us for...
Kabbalat Shabbat Services: 6pm every Friday
Shabbat Morning Services: 9:15am every Saturday except Shabbat Together weeks
Shabbat Together: a different Shabbat service, one Saturday monthly at 10am
Tot Shabbat Services: 10am one Saturday monthly
Discovering Midrash
at TBB with Rabbi Neal Gold 10 class sessions Tuesdays 7–9:30pm beginning October 23 The rabbis of the Talmudic and post-Talmudic eras expressed their creativity and spiritual ingenuity by approaching the Torah with a variety of analytical techniques, developing dramatic and important ways of interpreting the ancient text. Their approaches are gathered in the genre of Jewish spiritual literature known as “midrash.” We will explore an array of primary texts to learn how the rabbis produced the variety of legal (halakhic) and non-legal (aggadic) midrashim, the quintessentially Jewish way of understanding the Torah.
Register at hebrewcollege.edu
Tuition $300; Financial aid available For more info contact Sara Brown of Hebrew College at 617-559-8708 or meah@hebrewcollege.edu 
Martin Buber’s Hasidism and Modern Man
taught by Darshan Phil Weiss 6 sessions, 9:30 – 11am Sundays Oct 14, 21, 28; Nov 4, 11, 18 Students should try to pick up a copy of the work and read, for the first class session, the earliest essay, “The Life of the Hasidim.” Martin Buber was a major Jewish existentialist philosopher, who had a significant influence on both Jewish and Christian theology in the 20th century. His thought was one of the central motivators of the Jewish renewal movement. His versions of Hasidic stories (and his theoretical presentations of Hasidism) emphasized the this-worldly and communal aspects of Hasidic life. Last year, we studied Buber’s seminal philosophical work I and Thou. This year, we’ll study Hasidism and Modern Man, one of his theoretical works on Hasidism (actually, a collection of independent theoretical essays). We’ll read the six essays in chronological order, rather than the order in which they are printed, to follow the development of Buber’s mature attitude toward Hasidism. |
Remember to bring your donations of kosher raisins and kosher canned fruit for Family Table!
SIGN UP for Shabbat Minyan here. To receive our emails or newsletter drop us a note at tbb@templebnaibrith.org 
Accessibility
Temple B'nai Brith is proud to be wheelchair accessible. Our accessible entrance is at the rear of the building and equipped with an intercom system. The accessible restroom is located at the front of the building on the ground level. Our elevator provides access to all three levels. 
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Torah at Panera
resuming October 16
8 – 9am Tuesday mornings
at the Porter Square Panera
Join us for these informal gatherings to discuss the weekly Torah portion. No Hebrew or previous knowledge is necessary, and you don't need to bring your own book. Come early if you wish to buy yourself coffee or breakfast so that we can start on time. Contact rabbieliana@gmail.com for more info.
resuming October 16
8 – 9am Tuesday mornings
at the Porter Square Panera
Join us for these informal gatherings to discuss the weekly Torah portion. No Hebrew or previous knowledge is necessary, and you don't need to bring your own book. Come early if you wish to buy yourself coffee or breakfast so that we can start on time. Contact rabbieliana@gmail.com for more info.
Bed-Stuy is Burning
by Brian Platzer
7:30pm Wednesday, October 17
at Panera Porter Square
Bedford-Stuyvesant is a Brooklyn neighborhood with a storied black history. Now, its magnificent brownstones are in demand, police presence has increased, young white families and professionals are moving in and populating the parks and streets, new restaurants and stores are opening, and tensions ensue. This book focuses on the complex and conflicted lives of six Bed-Stuy inhabitants on one fateful and tragic Rosh Hashanah. Neighborhood tensions rise after a twelve-year-old black boy is shot ten times by police. A demonstration erupts into a riot. Shots are fired and murders are committed. The ugliness escalates, buildings burn, stores are looted, and dangerous crowds assemble. Bed-Stuy is Burning offers a suspenseful, well written, and empathetic story filled with wit, wisdom, and hard truths. It stands as an examination of people caught up in today’s urban realities. The impact of this debut novel is unsettling. While the characters endure darkness, grief, and challenges, there are many unresolved issues and no easy answers. Bed-Stuy is Burning is an engaging, timely, and provocative read.
by Brian Platzer
7:30pm Wednesday, October 17
at Panera Porter Square
Bedford-Stuyvesant is a Brooklyn neighborhood with a storied black history. Now, its magnificent brownstones are in demand, police presence has increased, young white families and professionals are moving in and populating the parks and streets, new restaurants and stores are opening, and tensions ensue. This book focuses on the complex and conflicted lives of six Bed-Stuy inhabitants on one fateful and tragic Rosh Hashanah. Neighborhood tensions rise after a twelve-year-old black boy is shot ten times by police. A demonstration erupts into a riot. Shots are fired and murders are committed. The ugliness escalates, buildings burn, stores are looted, and dangerous crowds assemble. Bed-Stuy is Burning offers a suspenseful, well written, and empathetic story filled with wit, wisdom, and hard truths. It stands as an examination of people caught up in today’s urban realities. The impact of this debut novel is unsettling. While the characters endure darkness, grief, and challenges, there are many unresolved issues and no easy answers. Bed-Stuy is Burning is an engaging, timely, and provocative read.
National Refugee Shabbat Potluck Friday on October 19
following 6pm Shabbat Services with guest speaker
Our October potluck dinner coincides with the National Refugee Shabbat, a project of HIAS. TBB is joining many other synagogues across the country in participating in this event. We hope you'll join us at our 6:00 pm services, prior to the potluck, for reflection, stories, and information about how you can get involved in helping immigrants and refugees.
Our longtime member Karin Blum, Chief Development Officer of Jewish Vocational Service in Boston, will speak about her experience this past summer participating in CJP's Fund to Aid Children and End Separation (FACES) mission to San Antonio. Karin will also speak about CJP/JVS's Together We Rise program to move refugees from entry-level jobs to family-sustaining careers, as well as reflecting on her family's legacy of tzedek work. (For a sneak peek, you can read her blog at jvs-boston.org/news/a-commitment-to-tzedek.) We'll also hear about volunteer opportunities offered by the Boston Immigrant Justice Accompaniment Network (BIJAN) and Somerville Interfaith, including support for Somerville neighbors who have been released from ICE detention.
Please bring a vegetarian dish to share (for 6+ people). Dairy is okay, but no fish please. We will have one table reserved for hechshered foods and those prepared in the TBB kitchen, with separate tables for home prepared dishes. Click here to RSVP (appreciated, not required)
following 6pm Shabbat Services with guest speaker
Our October potluck dinner coincides with the National Refugee Shabbat, a project of HIAS. TBB is joining many other synagogues across the country in participating in this event. We hope you'll join us at our 6:00 pm services, prior to the potluck, for reflection, stories, and information about how you can get involved in helping immigrants and refugees.
Our longtime member Karin Blum, Chief Development Officer of Jewish Vocational Service in Boston, will speak about her experience this past summer participating in CJP's Fund to Aid Children and End Separation (FACES) mission to San Antonio. Karin will also speak about CJP/JVS's Together We Rise program to move refugees from entry-level jobs to family-sustaining careers, as well as reflecting on her family's legacy of tzedek work. (For a sneak peek, you can read her blog at jvs-boston.org/news/a-commitment-to-tzedek.) We'll also hear about volunteer opportunities offered by the Boston Immigrant Justice Accompaniment Network (BIJAN) and Somerville Interfaith, including support for Somerville neighbors who have been released from ICE detention.
Please bring a vegetarian dish to share (for 6+ people). Dairy is okay, but no fish please. We will have one table reserved for hechshered foods and those prepared in the TBB kitchen, with separate tables for home prepared dishes. Click here to RSVP (appreciated, not required)
Shabbat + Bayit = Shabbayit!
Bayit means home in Hebrew, and with the new Shabbayit initiative, you're invited to spend time getting to know other folks from TBB over home-hosted Shabbat meals.
Bayit means home in Hebrew, and with the new Shabbayit initiative, you're invited to spend time getting to know other folks from TBB over home-hosted Shabbat meals.
Host a Dinner
Hosts decide when dinner starts, what's served, and how it's eaten. If you want to host a vegetarian potluck at 6:30 or a backyard BBQ at 7:30, it's entirely up to you! If you're willing to host, we want to help you connect with other members of the congregation. Please email sara.zucker@comcast.net if you're interested in hosting.
Hosts decide when dinner starts, what's served, and how it's eaten. If you want to host a vegetarian potluck at 6:30 or a backyard BBQ at 7:30, it's entirely up to you! If you're willing to host, we want to help you connect with other members of the congregation. Please email sara.zucker@comcast.net if you're interested in hosting.
Tot Shabbat
led by Rabbi Eliana Jacobowitz
10-11am Saturday, November 3
We'll sing and dance our way through a short and simplified service, followed by a Torah procession, a Shabbat story, and a light kiddush snack. This is a fun way to begin making the synagogue feel like home to young children while introducing them to the ABC’s of Jewish tradition.
led by Rabbi Eliana Jacobowitz
10-11am Saturday, November 3
We'll sing and dance our way through a short and simplified service, followed by a Torah procession, a Shabbat story, and a light kiddush snack. This is a fun way to begin making the synagogue feel like home to young children while introducing them to the ABC’s of Jewish tradition.
Song of the Heart
with Rabbi Eliana
7:30pm Tuesday November 13
According to the midrash (homiletic interpretation of Jewish text) every part of creation, even the earth and the stones, gives praise to God in the form of a song. This singing is so pleasing to God that it is identified in one midrash as the reason why God created the world in the first place. The human prayer, known also as the song of the heart, is how we join the rest of creation to praise the Creator.
Come sing with us. We will meet in Rabbi Eliana’s office to learn a variety of melodies including old and modern melodies, Sefardi and Hassidic melodies, melodies from Jewish text and liturgy. This class is for everyone, regardless of whether you come to services or not, and regardless of whether you think you can sing or not. All texts are transliterated. Please click here to RSVP (appreciated but not required).
with Rabbi Eliana
7:30pm Tuesday November 13
According to the midrash (homiletic interpretation of Jewish text) every part of creation, even the earth and the stones, gives praise to God in the form of a song. This singing is so pleasing to God that it is identified in one midrash as the reason why God created the world in the first place. The human prayer, known also as the song of the heart, is how we join the rest of creation to praise the Creator.
Come sing with us. We will meet in Rabbi Eliana’s office to learn a variety of melodies including old and modern melodies, Sefardi and Hassidic melodies, melodies from Jewish text and liturgy. This class is for everyone, regardless of whether you come to services or not, and regardless of whether you think you can sing or not. All texts are transliterated. Please click here to RSVP (appreciated but not required).
Do you like receiving the TBB newsletter in the mail? Should the TBB Shofar go electronic?
We are considering discontinuing the paper newsletter after this summer, in favor of an email version. We may also continue to send the Shofar by mail to those who wish to receive it that way. Please share your thoughts with us on how we should distribute the Shofar, as well as your personal delivery preference, at templebnaibrith.org/newsletter.
We are considering discontinuing the paper newsletter after this summer, in favor of an email version. We may also continue to send the Shofar by mail to those who wish to receive it that way. Please share your thoughts with us on how we should distribute the Shofar, as well as your personal delivery preference, at templebnaibrith.org/newsletter.
To receive our emails or newsletter drop us a note at tbb@templebnaibrith.org