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B’nai Avraham is a modern orthodox congregation, celebrating
18 years of community service and occupying its current brownstone
for the last decade. The spiritual leader is Rabbi Aaron Raskin.
Several other rabbis are also on staff. There is no full-time
cantor as the members of the synagogue themselves take turns
volunteering for this role.
On any Sabbath or weekday morning you will see different
members leading the services and Torah readings.
The membership demographic is typical for Brooklyn Heights:
predominantly young (20’s-40’s), overly educated, intellectually
curious professional men and women. Many members were raised
in non-orthodox homes, but everyone is welcome here. Members
include lawyers, doctors, teachers and computer jocks.
- RABBI RASKIN AND SHTERNIE
We love to brag about our spiritual leaders Rabbi Aaron L. Raskin
and Rebbitzin Shternie Raskin. The rabbi, a Chabad Chassid, adds
a dimension of joy and spirituality to everything we do. He is
the author of Letters of Light, a treatise on the Hebrew alphabet
and kabballah. Shternie is the director of Kiddie
Korner preschool, the mother of five children, and serves
lunch or dinner at her home for 25 or 30 of her closest friends
almost every Sabbath. You’re invited!
A CULTURE OF SABBATH JOY
Shternie’s not the only one serving lunch! Many of our members
regularly invite guests for Sabbath lunch or dinner. You’re
welcome!
State Street Park is a big hangout for synagogue members
on Sabbath afternoons, especially those with children. We extend
the Sabbath joy by talking, visiting and playing board games.
DAILY SERVICES
We are the only neighborhood synagogue with daily
services every morning and evening. If someone needs to say
Kaddish we are here to help the mourner fulfill this important
obligation.
DAILY CLASSES
There’s always something happening at B’nai
Avraham! Every day of the week Jewish education classes are taught
for free in English.
If you want to pursue your Jewish education, there are no more
excuses. See our list of classes for
more particulars. Don’t see your topic on the list? Ask
us!
- MIKVAH
The Mei Menachem Mikvah underneath
Congregation B’nai Avraham has been acclaimed as “breathtakingly
beautiful” and “an architectural wonder,” with
favorable reviews in the NY Times, the Brooklyn Paper and Channel
13. The mikvah is for ritual immersion, available to women only,
except prior to Yom Kippur. An appointment is necessary.
CONVERSION
Conversion classes are available.
- PRE-SCHOOL
Kiddie Korner, an independent preschool operates on the
synagogue premises for children ages 3 months to 5 years. The
director is Shternie Raskin. Healthy Jewish values are lovingly
taught. www.kiddiekorner.org.
HEBREW SCHOOL &
BAR / BAT MITZVAH TRAINING
The Hebrew School provides religious
instruction, including bar and bat mitzvah training for children
ages 5 -14. The Hebrew School is noteworthy for its small class
sizes (generally 4-5 students) and private one on one tutoring.
No synagogue membership is required. It meets Sunday mornings
and Wednesday afternoons.
SUMMER CAMP
The Brooklyn Heights Jewish Sports Academy has sports,
swimming, karate, dance, art, filmmaking and fun for campers
ages 2-9.
VISITING THE SICK
The Bikur Cholim Society of Brooklyn Heights, in collaboration
with other area synagogues arranges visits every week to patients
at Long Island College Hospital.
ANNUAL DINNER
A very fancy black tie affair! Come for a great night
of cocktails, music and sushi.
SHABBATONS
Community dinners with special guest speakers are held
about once a month, especially during holidays.
- COLLEGE STUDENT OUTREACH
Rabbi Simcha Weinstein hosts weekly dinners for Pratt,
Brooklyn Law School, Long Island University, New York City Technical
College and other local colleges. Tell mom not to wait up! www.rabbisimcha.com.
HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?
We have the lowest annual dues of any area synagogue.
No one is turned away. We want you more than your money.
HOW DO I FIND OUT MORE?
The best way to find out more is to show up. Call us (718)
596-4840 or browse our website.
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