B’nai Abraham Congregation
We are a warm, caring, inclusive Jewish congregation in downtown Butler, PA. Our membership is multigenerational and includes many interfaith families. In our services, we seek to blend the innovative with the traditional to reflect the plurality of our worshippers. We are a community of learners (Torah study, Hebrew and other classes, special programming) and “do-ers”(social action projects). Our onegs are to “die for!” Our religious school comprises instruction for grades K through Confirmation and beyond.
Our Services It will be a combination of Friday evening and Saturday mornings (including a short Torah reading): See our “Calendar Page” for details!
Sunday, Feb. 1: 11 AM! Tu’Bishvat Seder!
Our Seder will be Sunday, Feb. 1 at 11am. Please, PLEASE let us know if you are coming to celebrate with us. This is our fun-filled Seder with lots of singing and eating so many delicious fruits and nuts!
Please email: CongBnaiAbraham@zoominternet.net so we know who is coming and if you are able to contribute any of the needed fruits, nuts or juices.
The three groups of fruits and nuts are:
1) Hard outside/soft inside – oranges, bananas, mango, kiwi, walnuts, almonds and pistachios.
2) Soft outside/hard inside – dates, olives, apricots, peaches, avocados and cherries.
3) All edible – all berries, figs, pears, apples, cranberries and raisins.
4) Juice – purple and white grape juice.
Please have all fruits washed, cut up, and ready to put on platters.
Thank you for all your help and hope to see you Feb 1!
February Services: (Saturday morning services at 11 AM in synagogue (plus oneg!) and Zoom ; Friday evening services on ZOOM ONLY.
Email us or call for Zoom link and any questions!
CongBnaiAbraham@zoominternet.net (724) 287-5806
Saturday, Feb 7: 11 AM in synagogue and Zoom
Friday, Feb. 13, 7 PM On Zoom Only 7 PM
Saturday Feb. 21: In Synagogue and Zoom: 11 AM
Friday, Feb. 27, On Zoom Only: 7 PM
Saturday, March 7, 11 AM: In Synagogue and Zoom:
Your Weekly Congregation B’nai Abraham Shavua Tov:
SHAVUA TOV: Beshalach
No Service this Week!
Instead: Tu’Bishvat Sedar: Saturday, Feb. 1, 2026 11: AM in the Synagogue, of course!.
Zoom Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/7661806424. No Password
Readings for Beshalach
Beshalach: Exodus 13:17 – 17:16
Haftarah:
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Beshalach in a Nutshell
Exodus 13:17–17:16
The name of the Parshah, “Beshalach,” means “When he sent” and it is found in Exodus 13:17.
Soon after allowing the children of Israel to depart from Egypt, Pharaoh chases after them to force their return, and the Israelites find themselves trapped between Pharaoh’s armies and the sea. G‑d tells Moses to raise his staff over the water; the sea splits to allow the Israelites to pass through, and then closes over the pursuing Egyptians. Moses and the children of Israel sing a song of praise and gratitude to G‑d.
In the desert the people suffer thirst and hunger, and repeatedly complain to Moses and Aaron. G‑d miraculously sweetens the bitter waters of Marah, and later has Moses bring forth water from a rock by striking it with his staff. He causes manna to rain down from the heavens before dawn each morning, and quails to appear in the Israelite camp each evening.
The children of Israel are instructed to gather a double portion of manna on Friday, as none will descend on Shabbat, the divinely decreed day of rest. Some disobey and go to gather manna on the seventh day, but find nothing. Aaron preserves a small quantity of manna in a jar, as a testimony for future generations.
In Rephidim, the people are attacked by the Amalekites, who are defeated by Moses’ prayers and an army raised by Joshua.
Learn: Beshalach in Depth
And, since this week’s portion includes the famous miracle of the parting of the Red Sea, here’s a refresher: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TwPwRyF9RH0
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Tu’ bishvat Sedar!
Our Seder will be Sunday, Feb. 1 at 11am. Please, PLEASE let me know if you are coming to celebrate with us. This is our fun-filled Seder with lots of singing and eating so many delicious fruits and nuts!
Please email: CongBnaiAbraham@zoominternet.net so we know who is coming and if you are able to contribute any of the needed fruits, nuts or juices.
The three groups of fruits and nuts are:
1) Hard outside/soft inside – oranges, bananas, mango, kiwi, walnuts, almonds and pistachios.
2) Soft outside/hard inside – dates, olives, apricots, peaches, avocados and cherries.
3) All edible – all berries, figs, pears, apples, cranberries and raisins.
4) Juice – purple and white grape juice.
Please have all fruits washed, cut up, and ready to put on platters.
Thank you for all your help and hope to see you Feb 1!
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FOOD DRIVE!
We are starting a congregational Food Drive for our neighbors in need. Depending on the response, we may keep this going for several months. Please see what you can do to help out our community.
Food drives typically require that food not be expired, opened, swollen, or punctured, in any way. Donate canned goods or boxes of food. Leave them at the entrance to the synagogue for Shabbat services, or tell your family and friends about it and have them bring donations to the Rummage Sale and to the Hanukkah party. Or contact the office via email or phone (see contact info below) and we can arrange to accept your donation.
We will donate to the local food bank, St Vincent de Paul, Butler Area Public Library or churches.
Thank you all for your help!
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Jewish Humor Column: (ok, silly, but—who doesn’t need a bit of silliness these days!)
“The Jews are like the Greeks: put three of them in a room together and you will find one prospective leader and two prospective leaders of the opposition.” – Churchill.
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B’nai Abraham can be reached at congbnaiabraham@zoominternet.net
B’nai Abraham Synagogue:
519 North Main Street
Butler, PA
(724) 287-5806
Congregation B'nai Abraham 