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.
Fri, September 22 2023
7 Tishrei 5784
it's BCRC's 25th Anniversary
This year our 'house of friends' is celebrating our 25th anniversary by returning to a full schedule of events where adults, kids and families can get together. Please consider a special 25th anniversary donation to your house of friends (click donate above).
High Holy Days 5784
Our House of Friends is grateful to celebrate the new year 5784 with members and guests. Our spiritual leader, Rabbi Amy Sapowith, will be joined by Susan Mandel-Giblin as cantorial soloist to guide us through these holiest of days. Services will be held in-person in the sanctuary, and simulcast for those who wish to join us from home. Click here for full schedule and information about tickets for members of the public who wish to join us.
Register NOW for Religious School
We are still taking registrations for our 2023-24 Religious School year early so that we can plan for a successful school year . Please SIGN UP NOW. Even if you filled out the form in previous years, we require that you again fill out this quick online form so all of our information will be up-to-date.
Upcoming events
Today's Calendar
Erev Shabbat Service : 7:00pm |
This week's Torah portion is Parashat Haazinu
Shabbat, Sep 23 |
Kol Nidre
Sunday, Sep 24 |
Visit Our Facebook Page
Click here to visit BCRC on Facebook and 'like' our page to follow us.
The BCRC Blog
BCRC Community Picnic
Monday, Sep 11 7:44amJewish American Heritage Month Proclamation
Monday, May 8 8:52amFirst Annual Northern VA Night of Lights
Wednesday, Dec 21 1:13pm
Contact Us!
Beth Chaverim Reform Congregation
21740 Beaumeade Circle, Suite 100
Ashburn, VA 20147
(703) 729-1659
office@bcrcva.org