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.