Welcome to B’nai Israel

B‘nai Israel Synagogue in Grand Forks, North Dakota is a small but vibrant congregation that provides lifelong opportunities for spiritual growth and learning based on modern Jewish values.

Our members represent a variety of Jewish traditions and backgrounds, and come from Grand Forks, the Grand Forks Air Base, the University of North Dakota and surrounding communities.

Members of every Jewish denomination are welcome to attend our services, as are non-Jewish visitors. Please introduce yourself so we can answer any questions you may have. If you’d like to arrange a group visit, please contact us in advance at ndbnaiisrael@gmail.com .

We are located at 601 Cottonwood St in Grand Forks, ND. (MAP)
Please see the Contact page for our mailing address.

SERVICES AND CLASSES

Services and classes are held during the student rabbi’s monthly visits during the school year. The specific schedule is sent to newsletter subscribers. 

You can subscribe with the button below, or email us for more information.


Keep in touch with the Newsletter and social media.

Help Restore Or Social Hall

Our social hall and kitchen sustained extensive water and mold damage. Click the button to see how you can help restore our historic building.

Helping by Hosting

There are many volunteer opportunities to help at B’nai Israel. Three of these are to host the student rabbi for Shabbat dinner, to provide the Oneg after Shabbat service, or to offer transportation support.

Shabbat dinner can be in your home or at a local restaurant. The host is expected to pick up the student’s tab, but other guests you invite will pay their own.

The Oneg need not be elaborate. A challah and other light refreshments (fruit, cookies,etc) will be appreciated.

Transportation support could be loaning a car for the student’s use during visit, driving from and to the airport, etc.

Please visit the Hosting Sign-up page if you can help.

How do you spell Hanukkah?

Hanukkah? Channukah? However you spell it, the Festival of Lights 2025 begins at sunset, December 14.

URJ President Rabbi Rick Jacobs does some reporting from New York City’s Washington Square Park to find out how people spell Hanukkah .

From the Union For Reform Judaism / Reform Movement

Introduction to Judaism: A Thriving Online Learning Community

Introduction to Judaism: A Thriving Online Learning Community jemerman

If, a few years back, someone had told me that we could build an intimate online community of people exploring Judaism, I would have had my doubts. But with the very first Introduction to Judaism classes URJ launched in 2017, this idea has become a reality.

In Search of Belonging in the Darkness, the Twilight, and the Light

In Search of Belonging in the Darkness, the Twilight, and the Light jemerman

The season of Hanukkah is upon us. By this time of year, we have experienced many cycles of darkness, twilight, and light.

The Art of Wisdom: Proverbs, Adages, and Maxims, and the Images They Inspire

The Art of Wisdom: Proverbs, Adages, and Maxims, and the Images They Inspire jemerman

Curator Phyllis Friedman has assembled "Proverbs, Adages, and Maxims" at the Heller Museum at Hebrew Union College in New York, featuring 57 artists of diverse backgrounds who offer visual interpretations of familiar sayings and worthy shorthand advice.

Talking to Children About Jewish Identity in an Interfaith Family

Talking to Children About Jewish Identity in an Interfaith Family jemerman

For children in interfaith families, clarifying the role of religion in the family dynamic is important.