Come to Congregation Brit Shalom on 620 East Hamilton Avenue at 12:30-3:00 to purchase a selection of homemade foods. Fresh made latkes will be available to take home or eat while you peruse the baked goods.
To prepare for the Food Fair, we need as many enthusiastic bakers and cooks as possible. Please consider volunteering to bake or assist by following this link to our sign-up page.‍ ‍
Learn more about needs for volunteers —>

Join us in honoring and thanking Lynn Petnick for all her volunteer work at our synagogue. This will take place during our Shabbat services on Friday November 21 at 7:00 pm.

Shabbat Morning Worship Service on Saturday November 15 at 10:00 will be led by our Religious School Students and be followed by a Kiddush Luncheon. Attending Shabbat services is a great way for students to become familiar with, and gain understanding and experience in the service and prayers, while celebrating Shabbat with their friends. Bring your families! 

Come to our Fall Congregational Meeting on Sunday November 9 at 2:00. Hear reports and updates on CBS activities, and nosh and talk with other members. Much to learn and discuss.

Join Rabbi Rob and Missy Gleisser for a Fall Tot Shabbat at 10 a.m. on Saturday, November 1 in Congregation Brit Shalom’s social hall. We will learn about Shabbat, sing songs, and make friends while enjoying a nosh!  Tot Shabbat is geared toward children ages 0-5 and their families. Please RSVP to Marjorie Miller at Marjorie.Stromberg@gmail.com by Thursday, October 30.

All middle and high school students (grades 6-12) are invited to “Bagels with Hillel” on Sunday October 19 at 11:30 am in Congregation Brit Shalom’s social hallHillel representatives from Penn State will share how to get involved with Hillel and NFTY, what college life is like as a Jew, and how they maintain their Jewish identities and communities as young adults.We hope this event will bring together Hillel and Congregation Brit Shalom students and teen group, creating a community of sharing and friendship. Please RSVP to Marjorie Miller by October 17 at Marjorie.Stromberg@gmail.com. 

Please join us for Pizza in the Sukkah directly following Hebrew School (6 p.m.) this Thursday, Oct. 9 at Congregation Brit Shalom. Bring your families and enjoy dinner under the stars. RSVP to Marjorie Miller (email, phone or Facebook event) by Tuesday, Oct. 7 so we know how much pizza to order.
If you'd like to bring a salad, dessert or dairy side dish to share, please sign up here. Gluten free pizza is available upon request. 

Join us on at 11:30 am on Sunday August 3 for a fundraising event organized by the Jewish Support Committee of our congregation (previously Hadassah). In addition to a scrumptious lunch, we are honored to have guest performances by Naomi Seidman (flute) and Jonathan Dexter (cello). Proceeds will go to Congregation Brit Shalom, and/or Israel or Local needs. A suggested minimum donor contribution is $36. Make check payable to CONGREGATION BRIT SHALOM, pay at the door or mail to Hermine Shapiro, 2523 Shawn Circle, State College, PA  16801. RSVP by JULY 23rd, to Hermine Shapiro pH: 607-346-0323 or email henryhonda@yahoo.com. RSVP by JULY 23rd, to Hermine Shapiro pH: 607-346-0323 or email henryhonda@yahoo.com.

Join Rabbi Rob and Missy Gleisser for a Tot Shabbat at 10am on Saturday August 2 in Spring Creek Park. (901 Houserville Road, State College). We will learn about Shabbat, sing songs, make friends, and enjoy the park and playground! Light refreshments will be served. Tot Shabbat is geared toward children ages 0-5 and their families. We are especially encouraging any rising CBS Religious School kindergarten students to join us to meet Mrs. Miller and new friends!  Please RSVP to Marjorie Miller at Marjorie.Stromberg@gmail.com.

Join us at Tudek Park on July 25 for Shabbat Worship Services (not offered on Zoom) at 6:00 followed by an Oneg Shabbat Dinner at 7:00.   A main course and drinks will be provided.  You are welcome to bring side dishes or dessert (no raw nuts). If you would like a ride, please contact Esther Siegfried (814-880-2724).  If you or your child would like to participate in this service, please contact Rabbi Ostrich (rabbiostrich@britshalomstatecollege.org).

Our local blood bank will again be taking donations at the synagogue on Wednesday July 9th from noon to 5:00. Please drop by to give the gift of life. Or make a reservation on the American Red Cross Blood Drive website.

Please join us for the Summer Senior Social on Monday June 30 at 2pm. All are invited to schmooze and share some yummy homemade treats. If you need transportation please contact Esther Siegfried by email (siegfriedesther44@gmail.com) or phone (814) 880-2724.

Our congregation will be celebrating the culmination of Pride Month with a Havdalah Service and Program on Saturday evening June 28th at 7:00 pm. As we celebrate the conclusion of the Sabbath, we shall have readings and songs that celebrate the “Image of God” in all of us. There will also be interfaith guests and, of course, excellent refreshments.

Join Rabbi Rob and Missy Gleisser for a Tot Shabbat in the Park at 10 a.m. on Saturday, June 21 at Spring Creek Park. (901 Houserville Road, State College). Learn about Shabbat, sing songs, make friends, and enjoy the park and playground! Light refreshments will be served.  Tot Shabbat is geared toward children ages 0-5 and their families. Please RSVP to Marjorie Miller no later than June 13 at Marjorie.Stromberg@gmail.com.

As a proud supporter of our LGBT+ Members and Community, our congregation celebrates Pride Month. We’ll be marching in the Pride Parade on Saturday June 7th, and we shall have a special Pride Havdalah event on Saturday evening June 28th. To participate, please contact Josh Wretzel (jwretzel@gmail.com), Michelle Katz (michelle_katz@mac.com), or Rabbi Ostrich (rabbiostrich@britshalomstatecollege.org)

Join us to celebrate Shavuot on Sunday, June 1st. We will have a dairy dinner (no need to bring anything!) and ice cream social at 6:00pm, followed by Torah study with the Rabbi at 7:00pm. RSVP’s are encouraged but not required. Contact michelle_katz@mac.com to RSVP or for questions.

Join us on Wednesday May 28 at noon for the original free lunch—and schmoozing, kibbitzing, a delicious salad bar lunch, and some Torah study. We are studying Martin Buber’s Ten Rungs,  a compendium of Hassidic sayings and parables.  This is the concluding Torah luncheon this Spring. Keep your eyes peeled for the upcoming Fall schedule.

All Religious School students and their families, teachers and TAs, and Congregants (including teens!) are invited to join us on Sunday morning May 18 to help clean and reorganize the classrooms and youth library, and take stock of, and restock supplies. We will be starting the day at 9:30 am ending around noon. You can stay as long as you're able. Please sign up to volunteer HERE. Teen volunteers will receive service credit. 

The semi-annual Congregational Meeting will take place on Wednesday May 14. Pizza will be served at 5:30 and the meeting begins at 6:00. In addition to reports by Board members, voting will take place for the new Board of Directors (Agenda and Election Slate).

Join us at 7:00pm on Friday April 25 for a Shabbat commemoration of Yom Hashoa.

Students in grades 5, 6 and 7 are invited to a special Havdalah & Hot Cocoa event at 7pm on Saturday, April 19 at the synagogue.  We will end Shabbat by singing Havdalah songs and prayers, enjoy hot cocoa and other refreshments, and open up the floor to discuss Jewish topics. Please RSVP by Thursday, April 10 to Marjorie.Stromberg@gmail.com. 
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Sunday, April 13, is the first day of Passover, so we will be offering a special Passover program instead of Sunday School classes during regular school hours, 9:30-11:30am. We will be showing the movie, "The Prince of Egypt"(rated PG) for all grades and we will provide popcorn and juice, as well as some other snacks. To plan for the movie and refreshments, we will need to know how many students will be attending. Please RSVP for your child at this link.
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.. Save the date for our Community Passover Seder Community to be held on Saturday April 12, 202, 5 :30-7:30 pm at the Centre Hills Country Club. Full details including menu and cost can be found on the Registration Form —>

The last year and a half has been very difficult for Jews. With the conflict in the Middle East raging and the revival of anti-Semitism in many countries, many of us have felt embattled and caught between all sorts of values and loyalties. We are a diverse congregation with diverse views, so the goal is not to reach consensus or change people's opinions but to help people feel heard, connected, and supported by an inclusive Jewish community. We encourage you to attend our listening circle on Sunday April 6 with a gathering in the social hall at 9:30 am and the discussion beginning at 10:00am To prepare and preserve our safe space, this meeting is for Brit Shalom members only.
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The last of three Sunday film screenings will be held on March 30 at 2:00 (Note that this is a change in schedule from the original March 23 date). The film “The Other Son” is the moving and provocative tale, of two young men, one Israeli, the other Palestinian- who discover they were accidentally switched at birth, and the complex repercussions on themselves and their respective families. 

All adult members of the Congregation are invited to join Ruth Stromberg to learn Israeli dancing on Sunday, March 30 from 11:00 to 11:30 am in the social hall. Earlier in the morning Ruth will be teaching our Religious School students. After the students, we will open the floor to adults. Please wear sneakers and loose, comfortable clothing. RSVP is necessary for this program. For more information or to RSVP email Marjorie at marjorie.stromberg@gmail.com or sign up here.
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The next student-led service is at 7:00pm on Friday March 28.

The donation of blood for the saving of lives is a mitzvah of Piku’ach Nefesh. To donate, just come to the synagogue’s social hall anytime between 12:00 am and 5:30 pm on Tuesday March 27. You can either drop in. Or to save wait time, schedule an appointment by calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or visiting www.redcross.org.

Students in grades 8-12 are invited to attend a special “Teen Movie Series” this Spring. The first movie in the series will be held from 4:30 to 8:00pm on Sunday, March 23 . The movie “You’re So Not Invited to My Bat Mitzvah” is a story about Stacy and Lydia, two BFFs who've always dreamed about having epic bat mitzvahs. However, things start to go comically awry when a popular boy and middle school drama threatens their friendship and their rite of passage. There will be pizza and other refreshments. Please RSVP HERE (When you RSVP please note any food allergies.) 
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