Beth Israel Congregation

Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania

Beth Israel Congregation
Bloomsburg, PA

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Happy Challah Day!


Sunday, Feb. 26, 10 a.m. or 2 p.m.


Come learn how to make the traditional Shabbat bread, or learn how to make a new version, with a chocolate filling!


Scholarships are available! Or come as a volunteer!  (We could use some more soup, salad and cake makers for the lunch!) 

Welcome Shabbat


Friday, Feb. 10, 6:30 p.m.


Bring  a challah and come early, at 6:15 p.m., for a photo op advertising our upcoming Challah Day!  After the service, we'll feast on the loaves!

High Holidays 2022/5783


Rosh Hashanah Services  - Sept. 25-Sept.  26


Yom Kippur Services - Oct. 4-Oct. 5


Rabbi David Regenspan is returning to lead our services, and we're moving our brisket potluck outside! Get in on the action with our shofar contest - you could play a key note in our services!
Sept. 25, 2021, Bloomsburg Town Park, 3 p.m. (Moves to synagogue if it's raining.)

You don't have to be Jewish to enter our third annual shofar blowing contest! The member of the congregation who comes in first will blow the shofar for Rosh Hashanah in the synagogue.  But the overall winner of the contest will win a $25 gift certificate to Brennan's Big Chill for the best ice cream in town! Don't know how?  Don't worry - we'll teach you!

Welcome Shabbat


Friday, Dec. 17, 7 p.m.


President Michael Tuchman will lead the service; afterward, we'll enjoy a vegetarian potluck!  Winter nights are warmer when they're spent among friends!

3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 5

All are welcome as we celebrate the Festival of Lights, with gifts, music, and homemade latkes!

Welcome Shabbat


Friday, Nov. 5, 7 p.m.


Join us for a service led by Kenneth Druckenmiller and Susan Schwartz. We'll have a vegetarian potluck afterward, and, if practice goes well, maybe have another harpsichord-recorder duet!

Friday, Oct. 29, 7 p.m.


Join us for a service led by Jessica Slotkin, Kenneth Druckenmiller and Susan Schwartz, followed by a vegetarian potluck! We might even throw in a harpsichord-recorder duet!

Friday, Oct. 15, 7 p.m.


Join us for a service led by Kenneth Druckenmiller and Susan Schwartz, plus a vegetarian potluck!

High Holidays 2021/5782


Rosh Hashanah Services  - Sept. 6-Sept.  7


Yom Kippur Services - Sept. 15-Sept. 16


Rabbi David Regenspan is returning to lead our services, and we're moving our brisket potluck outside! Get in on the action with our shofar contest - you could play a key note in our services!
Shofar, Sho Good

Sept. 6, 2021, Bloomsburg Town Park

You don't have to be Jewish to enter our third annual shofar blowing contest! The member of the congregation who comes in first will blow the shofar for Rosh Hashanah in the synagogue.  But the overall winner of the contest will win a $25 gift certificate to Brennan's Big Chill for the best ice cream in town! Don't know how?  Don't worry - we'll teach you!

Sunday, Aug. 22, 2021, noon-2 p.m.


Join us for a picnic potluck at beautiful Bloomsburg Town Park! We'll provide kosher hamburgers and hot dogs. The rest of the menu will be whatever people bring to share! Please, no alcohol or anything with dairy.


Afterward, stick around for a business meeting on upcoming repairs and potential renovations to the synagogue.


Friday, Aug. 20, 7 p.m.


Join us for a service led by Jessica Slotkin and Kenneth Druckenmiller, followed by our ever-popular vegetarian potluck!

Outdoor Shabbat and Potluck


Friday, June 11, 2021, 7 p.m., We're back at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church Pavilion, 1600 Fowler Ave., Berwick.


Kenneth Druckenmiller and Susan Schwartz will lead the service.


Afterwards, join us for a vegetarian potluck - there will almost certainly be ice cream!


Shabbat Homecoming


Friday, May 28, 7 p.m.


We're back in our home synagogue!


President Michael Tuchman will lead the service.


Outdoor Shabbat and Potluck


Friday, May 14, 7 p.m., We're back at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church Pavilion, 1600 Fowler Ave., Berwick.


Kenneth Druckenmiller and Susan Schwartz will lead the service.


Afterwards, join us for a vegetarian potluck.


Friday, April 16, 7 p.m., Good Shepherd Lutheran Church Pavilion, 1600 Fowler Ave., Berwick.


Kenneth Druckenmiller and Susan Schwartz will lead the service.


Afterwards, we'll enjoy a vegetarian potluck

We've got a three-part celebration planned, with homemade hamantaschen, stories and music!

It starts Feb. 25, then continues Feb. 28. Check out the link for details!

7 p.m. Friday, Feb. 5, 2021

Join us for our first livestreamed service to welcome Shabbat! Kenneth Druckenmiller and Jessica Slotkin are our bold cyberspace explorers.


7 p.m. Friday, Jan. 22, 2021

We'll welcome Shabbat together through GoToMeeting, united in time and cyberspace.  Contact Susan Schwartz, 570-441-2774, nomad6@ptd.net, for link information.

7 p.m., Friday, Jan. 8, 2021

Join us Friday as we celebrate Shabbat - Jessica Slotkin is taking the plunge as we host our first online service!



Join us for a COVID-safe, online Hanukkah Celebration! Premiers 7 p.m. Dec. 17!


Friday, Nov. 13, 2020, Beth Israel Congregation, 144 E. Fourth St., Bloomsburg.

Zehner Evans is leading our service, the first Shabbat service we've had at our home temple since the pandemic began.  Dress warm and bring a mask.  We'll be following COVID-19 safety protocols, which includes opening the windows for good ventilation.


Friday, Oct. 9, 7 p.m., Good Shepherd Lutheran Church Pavilion, 1600 Fowler Ave., Berwick.


Kenneth Druckenmiller and Susan Schwartz will lead the service.


Afterwards, we'll enjoy a vegetarian potluck

High Holidays 2020/5781


Rosh Hashanah Services  - Sept. 18-Sept. 19


Yom Kippur Services - Sept. 27-Sept. 28


Rabbi David Regenspan is returning to lead our services, and we're moving our brisket potluck outside! Get in on the action with our shofar contest - you could play a key note in our services!

You don't have to be Jewish to enter our third annual shofar blowing contest! The member of the congregation who comes in first will blow the shofar for Rosh Hashanah in the synagogue.  But the overall winner of the contest will win a $25 gift certificate to Brennan's Big Chill for the best ice cream in town! Don't know how?  Don't worry - we'll teach you!

Outdoor  Shabbat and Potluck


Friday, Aug. 7, 7 p.m., Good Shepherd Lutheran Church Pavilion, 1600 Fowler Ave., Berwick.


Kenneth Druckenmiller and Susan Schwartz will lead the service.


Afterwards, we'll enjoy a vegetarian potluck.

Outdoor  Shabbat and Potluck


Friday, July 10, 7 p.m., Bloomsburg Town Park, Pavilion 4, at the east side of Fort McClure Blvd. and Market St. If it rains, we'll move back to the synagogue.


Jessica Slotkin and Michael Tuchman will lead the service.


Afterwards, we'll enjoy a vegetarian potluck and each other's company!

Sorry, everyone - fear of the coronavirus has done our Purim party in. We decided the fun of costumes and hamantaschen didn't outweigh the risk of plague.  Here's hoping for better luck next year.

Hamantachen Baking and Purim Party: 3:30 p.m., Saturday, March 14, 2020

We're doing the whole Megillah in one massive party, baking and grogger extravaganza!  Take home fresh hamantaschen, still warm from the oven!


Friday, Feb. 28, 6:30 p.m., 2020


Led by Kenneth Druckenmiller, President Michael Tuchman and Susan Schwartz.


We're joining synagogues across the United States and Canada to give an especially warm welcome to this weekly holiday. We'll follow the service with a vegetarian potluck.


Sunday, Feb. 9, 2020, at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.

Come join us as we learn about making challah and its role in Judaism.  Afterwards, we'll have a kosher meal featuring Jewish soul food — chicken matzoh ball soup, salad and apple cake, and of course fresh challah! New this year - an optional lesson in making chocolate challah!

Celebrate Shabbat


Friday, Jan. 31, 6:30 p.m.


Jessica Slotkin and Susan Schwartz will lead the service.


Afterwards, we'll enjoy a vegetarian potluck and each other's company!

Friday, Dec. 27, 6:30 p.m.

We'll drive back winter's darkness with two sets of candles - one set for Shabbat, the other for Hanukkah!

Jessica Slotkin will lead us in a celebration featuring live music, gifts for the kids, and of course, latkes!

Celebrate Shabbat


Friday, Nov. 1, 6:30 p.m.


Norman Mael is returning for a visit and to lead a service!  Afterwards, we'll enjoy the usual vegetarian potluck and good company.

High Holidays 2019/5780


Rosh Hashanah Services  - Sept. 29-Sept. 30


Yom Kippur Services - Oct. 8-Oct. 9


Rabbi David Regenspan is returning to lead our services, and our cooks are much more confident about their brisket-making skills! Get in on the action with our shofar contest - you could play a key note in our services!

You don't have to be Jewish to enter our shofar blowing contest, now in its second year! The member of the congregation who comes in first will blow the shofar for Rosh Hashanah in the synagogue.  But the overall winner of the contest will win a $25 gift certificate to Brennan's Big Chill for the best ice cream in town!

Celebrate Shabbat


Friday, Sept. 6, 7 p.m.


Michael Tuchman will lead the service using the new siddurs we're considering purchasing. Let us know what you think!  Afterward, we'll share vegetarian desserts and light snacks - bring your favorite!

Picnic in the Park


Sunday, Aug. 25, 2019, noon-2 p.m.


Join us for a picnic potluck at beautiful Bloomsburg Town Park! We'll provide kosher hamburgers and hot dogs. The rest of the menu will be whatever people bring to share! Please, no alcohol or anything with dairy.

Celebrate Shabbat


Friday, July 26, 7 p.m.


Check out the new siddurs we're considering purchasing, and let us know what you think! Bring your favorite dessert or light snack to share afterward!

June 8, 2019, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

Let's give our synagogue a little love. Afterward, we'll celebrate with pizza and ice cream!

No experience needed - we've got jobs for all ages and abilities!

Celebrate Shabbat and Shavuot


Friday, June 7, 7 p.m.


President Michael Tuchman will lead this spring service, followed by our every-popular vegetarian potluck!

Celebrate Shabbat


Friday, March 17, 6:30 p.m.


Afterwards, we'll enjoy a vegetarian potluck and each other's company!

Holocaust Remembrance Day and National Day of Prayer


Thursday, May 2, 2019


The synagogue will be open from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. for silent prayer, meditation and reflection. 

6 p.m. Friday, April 19, 2019
RSVP BY APRIL 1 - we have to give the caterer a headcount.
Reservation form is here.


Hamantachen Baking: 2 p.m. Sunday, March 17, 2019
Purim Party: 6 p.m. Wednesday, March 20


Friday, March 1, 7 p.m., 2019


Led by Zehner Evans.


We're joining synagogues across the United States and Canada to give an especially warm welcome to this weekly holiday. We'll follow the service with a vegetarian potluck.


Celebrate Shabbat


Friday, Feb. 15, 6 p.m., 2019


Led by Jessica Slotkin and Susan Schwartz.


Afterwards, we can enjoy a vegetarian potluck and each other's company!

Saturday, Feb. 9, 2019, at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.

Come join us as we learn about making challah and its role in Judaism.  Afterwards, we'll have a kosher meal featuring Jewish soul food — chicken matzoh ball soup, salad and apple cake, and of course fresh challah!

Celebrate Shabbat


Friday, Jan. 18, 2019, 7 p.m.


Led by President Michael Tuchman.


A light vegetarian oneg will follow.

Hanukkah Party and Potluck


Sunday, Dec. 9, 2018, 5 p.m.


Celebrate Hanukkah with live music, stories, gifts and food.  Everyone is welcome!


Celebrate Shabbat


Friday, Nov. 30, 2018, 5:30 p.m.


Led by Zehner Evans.


A vegetarian potluck will follow.

Saturday, Nov. 3, 2018, 10 a.m.

Beth Israel Congregation in Bloomsburg invites our friends and neighbors of all faiths to join us as we mourn those murdered at the Tree of Life Congregation in Pittsburgh and pray for healing for the injured.

Celebrate Shabbat


Friday, Oct. 26, 2018, 6:30 p.m.


Led by Jessica Slotkin, President Michael

Tuchman and Susan Schwartz.


A vegetarian potluck will follow.

High Holidays 2018/ 5779


Rosh Hashanah Services  - Sept. 9-Sept. 10


Yom Kippur Services - Sept. 18-Sept. 19


It's time for new beginnings! We have a new rabbi, a new shofar contest, and a new cook preparing a kosher brisket for Rosh Hashanah!


You don't have to be Jewish to enter our new shofar blowing contest! The member of the congregation who comes in first will blow the shofar for Rosh Hashanah in the synagogue.  But the overall winner of the contest will win a $25 gift certificate to Brennan's Big Chill for the best ice cream in town!

Work Day
July 8, 2018
Our synagogue could use some TLC! Check out the list to see what projects appeal to you!  No experience needed - you may pick up some new skills!