Connecting & Caring

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BJC is more than a synagogue, it's a community. Learn here about the ways we reach out.

Chesed Society

The Chesed society was formed several years ago to assist the Rabbi and expand his role in the "good and welfare" of the members of the Bethesda Jewish Congregation.

As such, the Committee has:

Visited or otherwise kept in touch with members who are ill
Provided assistance to people observing Shiva
Provided rides to religious services or other congregational events
Provided rides for occasional appointments or errands
Provided meals for people recovering from surgery
Sent cards for major events such as illness/surgery, bereavement, births, weddings, engagements, and special anniversaries and birthdays

Most of the people who have received help have been members who live alone and do not have local family members to help out.

If there is something this committee can do for you, please contact the Rabbi in cases of serious illness or deaths. Otherwise, please contact the Rabbi or the Chair Lorrie Van Akkeren by clicking here or the BJC office. If you would like to let us know of an occasion to send a card or to join the Chesed Society, please contact Lorrie Van Akkeren.

Intercongregational Partnership

The Inter-Congregational Partnership Committee (ICPC) nurtures connections among Bethesda Jewish Congregation (BJC), Bradley Hills Presbyterian Church (BHPC) and the Maqaame Ibrahim Islamic Center (MIIC), the three faith communities sharing sacred space at 6601 Bradley Boulevard. The ICPC’s activities include the following social, religious and service events and projects:

Joint Thanksgiving services for adults and children led by the clergy and lay leaders of the three congregations, and/or other area Muslim communities (these have included Idara-e-Jaferia Islamic Center of Burtonsville and the Islamic Community Center of Potomac) with a joint brunch following services and joint offering for a charitable organization.
Interfaith picnic, which in 2025 was held on May 18.
Interfaith iftar on March 29 hosted by the MIIC.
Interfaith potluck dinners, so far in 2025 hosted by Ling Chin and Gary Sampliner on April 5.
Pulpit exchanges-throughout the year among the three congregations.
Clergy-led “Faith 101” classes on the basic tenets of Islam, Christianity and Judaism planned for the fall of 2025.
Speaker and discussion programs on subjects of interest, including a May 2024 Workshop on How to Have Conversations with Friends About Difficult Topics on Which You May Disagree; a December 5, 2024 virtual event with Widen the Circle, that works with activists, educators, and leaders on how to begin recovering the history of oppression; an April 9 session featuring Montgomery Council member Evan Glass on what the Council is doing to keep faith communities safe and explore ways to collaborate to strengthen these initiatives; and an annual, as yet unscheduled, event featuring Palestinian and Israeli participants in the New Story Leadership program
Interfaith book discussions, including a May 13, discussion of “Letters to My Palestinian Neighbor” by Yossi Klein Halevi. Additional book discussions are being planned for the fall.
Revitalizing the interfaith children’s book section of the Library.
Authors Among Us events featuring writers from our congregations
Joint service projects, which in the coming year will include a joint youth-led anti-bias project, a project on environmental stewardship for children, the Thanksgiving Manna Food drive, and participation in Montgomery County Juneteenth events.

The ICPC invites you to join in conceiving, planning, and executing events that encourage connections between BJC, BHPC, and MIIC to advance our shared interests and learn more about each other and our faith traditions. To learn more or find out about our next meeting, please contact the chairs of the ICPC, Evelyn Ganzglass (eganzglass@gmail.com) from BJC and Judy Ozone (judy.l.ozone@gmail.com) from Bradley Hills Presbyterian Church. We meet by zoom on the second Wednesday of each month at 5:00 pm.