Congregation Bnai Israel | Little Rock, Arkansas |

Upcoming Events

To Livestream Services and Torah Study CLICK HERE!

Livestreaming of services made possible by the Ottenheimer Brothers Foundation

Assisted listening in the Sanctuary is made possible by a generous donation from Pat and Barry Solomon

Weekly Worship Schedule

Oneg Shabbat 5:45 pm
Friday Night Shabbat Services 6:15pm

Torah Study 9:30 am
Saturday Shabbat Services 11:00 am

WORSHIP-AT-A-GLANCE FOR
May 2026

May 1
Shabbat Service led by Rabbi Block and Cantor Levine, with special music celebrating Israel,
accompanied by Kathy Cooper, whose participation is made possible by a generous grant from the
Bauman Family Music Fund
80th Birthday Blessing of Rickie Oliva
Oneg Shabbat Host: Rickie and Robert Oliva in celebration of Rickie’s 80th Birthday

May 8
Shabbat Under-the-Stars Service
honoring our Religious School Faculty in the Mendel Amphitheater, led by Rabbi Block, Cantor Levine and Students in our Religious School’s Grades 6-7-8 Class,
with all Religious School students joining in song with Cantor,
followed by Shabbat Dinner hosted by parents of Grades 6-7-8.
Oneg Shabbat Host: Eoin Dockter

May 15
Shabbat Service led by Rabbi Block
Special Guest Speaker: Richard Kreitner, author of Fear No Pharaoh: American Jews, the Civil War, and the Fight to End Slavery
Music: Jana Cohen, accompanied by Kathy Cooper, whose participation is made possible by a generous grant from the
Bauman Family Music Fund
Oneg Shabbat Host: Shelly Baron

May 22
Shabbat Service led by Rabbi Block and
Student Rabbi Yossi Elmackias, using
T’filat HaAdam, the prayerbook of the Israel Movement for Progressive Judaism.
D’var Torah: Rabbi Elmackias
Oneg Shabbat Sponsor:
Audrey & Don Evans
in honor of the first wedding anniversary
of Elli Samuels & David Sheldon

May 29
Shabbat Service led by Eden Willis
and Rabbi Block
Sermon: “Just What the Doctor Ordered,”
in tribute to Lewis Krain
Blessing of Lewis Krain,
outgoing Temple President
Music: Jana Cohen and Perry Young
Oneg Shabbat Host and Flowers Sponsor:
Susan & Sam Willis
in honor of Eden becoming a Bat Mitzvah

Saturday mornings in May:

Bat Mitzvah of Eden Willis, Saturday,
May 30, at 10:30am, led by Eden, Rabbi
Block, Jana Cohen, and Perry Young in
the Sanctuary.

Shabbat Torah Study at 9:30am, led by
Rabbi Block on May 2, 16, and 23, by
Bruce Greenberg on May 9, and by
Rabbi Elmackias on May 30. Torah

Study on May 30 will be abbreviated,
ending at 10:15am.

Shabbat Morning Worship at 11am in
the Library, led by Cantor Levine on
May 2 and 9, by Rabbi Block on May 16,
and by Rabbi Block and Rabbi
Elmackias on May 23.

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Welcome

Thank you for visiting our website. Founded in 1866, Congregation B’nai Israel is the home for Reform Judaism in Central Arkansas. We embrace diversity and exhibit inclusiveness in our actions as well as our words. We have a volunteer based ritual music program that is truly exceptional, as well as regular visits from our E. Lee Ronnel Cantor. Our Lifelong Learning program affords congregants of all ages with multiple opportunities for education and exposure to Judaism and its teachings. Our enthusiastic professionals work closely with our dedicated corps of volunteers who constantly give of themselves for the benefit of our congregation, our congregants, and the community at large. Please join us at Temple and worship, sing, learn, celebrate and experience together with us.

Mission Statement

Congregation B’nai Israel embraces a lifelong understanding and pursuit of Jewish identity, commitment, and values. Our congregation strives to instill knowledge of and pride in Jewish heritage including Torah, tefillah and mitzvot, leading to activate participation in Jewish life.