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.

What is Sukkott?

What is Sukkot, the Festival of Booths?

Learn the basics of the Jewish holiday called Sukkot, including festival huts, lulavs, etrogs, foods, prayers and the spiritual meaning of all the unique rituals.

From the Union For Reform Judaism / Reform Movement

Ten Things We Say When We Talk About Antisemitism

Ten Things We Say When We Talk About Antisemitism sdolgov

URJ leaders have had thousands of conversations about antisemitism over the past years, especially after October 7th. The following list summarizes the ideas that arise most often in these discussions.

Putting the “Serve” Back in "Deserve"

Putting the “Serve” Back in "Deserve" sdolgov

As the Jewish community grapples with fears of our eroding security in post-10/7 America, nobody wants to consider the question of whether we have enjoyed that security up to this point by right or by debt.

Kinship in Crisis in Jesse Eisenberg's New Movie

Kinship in Crisis in Jesse Eisenberg's New Movie jemerman

Fresh off winning an Emmy for his portrayal of Roman Roy in the hit HBO series "Succession," Kieran Culkin finds himself playing another motormouthed man child at the center of Jesse Eisenberg's "A Real Pain."

Is it Okay to Seek Joy?

Is it Okay to Seek Joy? jemerman

In "Seeking Joy," on view at the Heller Museum at HUC-JIR/New York through June 26, 2025, over 50 artists share moments of happiness they have experienced.