Holidays at BCRC
Holidays at BCRC
At BCRC we have our own way of celebrating the Jewish holidays! Several are featured below. Click here for a calendar of holidays.
Sukkot
Sukkot, a Hebrew word meaning "booths" or "huts," is marked by several distinct traditions including the building of a sukkah, a booth or hut. Sukkot at Beth Chaverim is a joyous occasion! Our Brotherhood builds our own great sukkah in our playground area in the back of the synagogue. Our religious school children are invited to decorate the sukkah with paper cutouts and chains, popcorn ornaments, and live fruit and vegetables. All of our services as well as numerous youth and social activities during Sukkot are held under the sukkah!
Simchat Torah
Simchat Torah, Hebrew for "rejoicing in the Law", celebrates the completion of the annual reading of the Torah. At BCRC, Torah scrolls are taken from the ark and carried or danced around the synagogue seven times, then unscrolled for the reading of the concluding section of Deuteronomy and the opening section of Genesis, or B'reishit as it is called in Hebrew. Here are some pictures of our festivities.
Chanukah
Chanukah commemorates the victory of the Jews over the Syrian Greeks in 164 BCE, and is celebrated by lighting a hanukkiah (or menorah) for eight days, eati
ng latkes, and playing dreidel. At Beth Chaverim, we follow several traditions developed over the years. Our annual Chanukah party features latke contests, live music and games. During Shabbat, we ask our congregants to bring their own Hanukkiahs for a congregational candle lighting.
Tu BiSh'vat
Tu BiSh'vat or the "New Year of the Trees" is the Jewish Arbor Day. In the 17th century, Kabbalists created a ritual for Tu BiSh'vat that is similar to a Passover seder. The holiday also has become a tree-planting festival in Israel, in which Israelis and Jews around the world plant trees in honor or in memory of loved ones and friends. At BCRC, we hold a joyous TuBiSh’vat seder celebrating the relationship between humans and the earth, and featuring the many fruits and nuts of Israel.
Purim
Purim is celebrated by the reading of the Scroll of Esther, known in Hebrew as the Megillat Esther, which relates the basic story of Purim. At BCRC, we take Purim very seriously - seriously fun! Our celebration includes an annual Purim Carnival for the kids filled with games, food, a Purim Schpiel (play), silent auction, and the reading of the megillah. Our older Youth Groups hel
p to plan and run the Carnival games, which are an important fundraiser for youth activities. We also have an "adult" Purim service, at which our many aspiring Broadway stars take center stage in full costume to act out a holiday-themed schpiel!
Passover
Passover commemorates the Exodus of the Jewish people from Egypt over 3,000 years ago. The ritual observance of this holiday centers around a special home service called the seder (meaning "order") and a festive meal; the prohibition of chametz (leavened food); and the eating of matzah (an unleavened bread). At Beth Chaverim, we celebrate Passover as a congregation with a lively community seder.
Thu, May 1 2025
3 Iyar 5785
Join us for Services
We welcome anyone looking for a place to worship. In order to attend our weekly Shabbat Service, Guests must submit a Visitor Form prior to attending.
Announcing Sanctuary & Social Renewal Sprint 2
Our goal is to raise $50,000 by June 30 to build a spiritual Jerusalem stone wall backdrop integrated with the bimah, with recessed lighting and built-in space for a permanent ark.We plan to have the sanctuary construction done during the summer so that we can be ready for the High Holy Days. We thank everyone who has donated to our earlier phase.
Click here to read full details on the project. To donate to this project click here and select donate to Sanctuary & Social Renewal Project.
GMU Commended by JCRC
Recent antisemitic threats uncovered by security personnel at George Mason University illustrate how difficult and scary life still is for many Jewish college students. Fortunately, GMU administrators took strong steps to address these developments. The Jewish Community Resource Council (JCRC) of Greater Washington put out this statement commending GMU for their commitment to and compassion for Jewish members of their community.
Upcoming events
Today's Calendar
Yom HaAtzmaut |
Tomorrow's Calendar
Tot Shabbat & Evening Service : 6:30pm |
This week's Torah portion is Parashat Tazria-M'tzora
Shabbat, May 3 |
Yom HaAtzmaut
Thursday, May 1 |
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The BCRC Blog
BCRC Purim Spiel - a big Hit!
Sunday, Mar 16 11:38amWomen of BCRC Featured in Washington Jewish Week
Tuesday, Jan 7 8:59am'Jewish Loudoun Reads' Inaugural Event at BCRC
Sunday, Dec 22 7:50am
Contact Us!
Beth Chaverim Reform Congregation
21740 Beaumeade Circle, Suite 100
Ashburn, VA 20147
(703) 729-1659
office@bcrcva.org