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.

Counting the Omer

Start coutnting the omer the evening of April 13

What is counting the omer all about? And how do you do it? BimBam’s basic explainer of this Jewish ritual shares everything you need to know about counting from Passover to Shavuot.

From the Union For Reform Judaism / Reform Movement

Dear Israel: A Story of Love and Longing

Dear Israel: A Story of Love and Longing jemerman

In the pages of a hand-drawn picture book, your story first unfolded before me, telling the tale of my parents' first journey together to your distant lands.

Becoming B’nei Mitzvah at Any Age

Becoming B’nei Mitzvah at Any Age jemerman

Terms like "bar mitzvah," "bet mitzvah," and "bat mitzvah" typically evoke images of teens reading from the Torah and formally taking their place within the Jewish community. But many Reform congregations offer adult b'nei mitzvah classes, enabling people to participate in this ritual later in life.

Five Definitions of Antisemitism

Five Definitions of Antisemitism jemerman

As antisemitism continues to threaten American democracy, many are looking for a concise, objective definition to use in online exchanges, schools, and universities to decide if a derisive comment or chanted epithet is legally actionable.

Sam Griffin: Aftermath

Sam Griffin: Aftermath jemerman

Israeli artist Sam Griffin's paintings, forged in the crisis of war, convey the human capacity for healing and hope for a peaceful future for Israel and humankind.