2024 Annual Meeting and Report

It was a tough start. We were not even through the full High Holy Day season when October 7th propelled us into months of heartbreak, anger, fear and existential questions about what it means to be Jewish.  

With such a backdrop, you might expect that B’nai Havurah would have had a very difficult year as an organization, but through wise leadership, courage and compassion, we have managed to grow and thrive. Rather than seeking conformity of thought, we have sought to expand our capacity to listen and connect, even when we disagree. This approach has held us together and served the needs of our members while attracting new folks who have not seen such forums elsewhere. 

Even with the challenging circumstances, we created amazing celebrations for Hannukah, Purim, Passover and more. We have learning circles running weekly and monthly. Shabbat services have grown. Interest groups have been forming and going strong. Tot shabbat has burst beyond the confines of its physical space. Our Year of Learning brought in incredible teachers as well as supporting the revival of our community retreat. All the while, we have been supporting and celebrating with our members through life’s joys and sorrows. 

Our physical spaces have also seen great progress. The lease got officially signed at B’nai West, and the plans for renovating B’nai East are moving along. The garden planted by our Sustainability Group has taken off in its second season, gracing every visitor with the colorful beauty of native flowers. 

For me one highlight was in January, when we took a moment to bless my beginning at B’nai with an “installation” that celebrated not just this chapter, but the whole history and character of B’nai Havurah, and its deep Reconstructionist roots as Rabbi Deborah Waxman, leader of our movement, came to officiate. 

Through it all, the biggest blessings have been the people - new faces and longtimers alike. Behind all of our programs and successes are vibrant volunteers offering time and skill. Laura and Hannah have added such heart, creativity and grounded experience to our staff team. Each new member I’ve spoken to has commented that B’nai Havurah has been unusually welcoming and warm. As I think back on a very full year, I continue to be moved by the intelligence, kindness, down to earth spirit and generosity of our beloved community. May we all be blessed for a year ahead of continued growth, learning, and connection! 

-Rabbi Katie Mizrahi

​​​​​​​

2023 High Holiday services at B’nai West (Highlands Church) were well-attended and
community-building, and proof that the depth and seriousness of our High Holy Days can (and should) include many joyous and celebratory moments. Our high-energy closing Ne’ilah service on Yom Kippur in
particular, led by Rabbi Katie, reflected the idea that as Yom Kippur draws to a close, we can and should express gratitude and happiness that we made it through another year together.

Thanks as always to Carla Sciaky, Linda Treibitz, and Susan Spero for their great musical leadership and teamwork. Attendance at Shabbat services has been steadily growing, especially our monthly Tot Shabbat and Shabbat B’Yachad mornings at Highlands. B’nai also recently rolled out a pilot program called Kehillah Shabbat, a Covid-safe gathering with a commitment to building a more just world; check B’nai’s website for upcoming events on Friday and Saturday evenings.

As we continue to mentor and encourage our community’s next generation of music and prayer leaders, I’m happy to welcome two very skilled musicians to our team – Sarah Kaplan Gould and Ev Evnen, both of whom embody B’nai’s values of inclusivity, joyous prayer practice, and finding common ground
through music. If you haven’t met Sarah and Ev yet, come to services this summer and say hello!
–Hal Aqua

​​​​​​​