Our name, P’nai Yisrael, means, ‘faces,’ or ‘facets of Israel.‘

The Torah has infinite facets for exploration, discovery, inspiration and fulfillment. 
Similarly, each individual in our community 
represents a unique aspect of the people Israel, 
those who ‘wrestle’ to know God. As a Chavurah, 
we come together in mutual appreciation, respect, compassion and gratitude to learn, worship, celebrate and grow.

If you are seeking an intelligent, soulful and heart-centered approach to Jewish life and worship, we invite you to share our experience and celebrate with us.

Shabbat Services

Saturday April 27, 10:00 AM-12:30 PM

We celebrate Shabbat with our bodies, our hearts, our minds and our souls. We celebrate with a lot of music-instruments and song, with traditional and fresh prayer, with a great deal of participation, with movement, with meditation and with stimulating Dvar Torah. Please join us this Shabbat. 

The service will be followed with a kiddush, but not by a vegetarian potluck lunch. Please do not bring any food.

1824 University Circle, Charlottesville, VA in the large dining room at Hillel. 

For more information, contact pnaiyisrael@gmail.com

kabbalat shabbat by zoom

Friday, May 3, 6:45-7:45 PM

Folks gather by Zoom to schmooze and welcome the Shabbat by lighting their own candles together, blessing wine/grape juice, blessing Challah and a few other basic Kabbalat Shabbat prayers, including a Healing Prayer and the Mourner’s Kaddish.

Kabbalat Shabbat is a shared service with many who participate leading individual prayers and it’s a great way to connect to begin Shabbat.

For more information, contact pnaiyisrael@gmail.com

Listening Circle with Prayers for Peace

Saturday May 4, 2:30-4:00 PM

During these challenging times in our world, it’s become ever more necessary to have an opportunity to speak about our concerns, worries and fears, in a safe and welcoming environment. We need to know we’re not alone. This Listening Circle is a structured approach to share emotional and spiritual support through the time-honored practice of uninterrupted speaking with attentive listening. In addition, praying for peace uplifts our hopes, spirits and intentions and has immeasurable positive effects. Together, these practices nourish our Being and strengthen our capacity to be present to the changing circumstances in our world.

This is a Members Only event at a members’ home.

Shabbat Services

Saturday May 11, 10 AM-12:30 PM

We celebrate Shabbat with our bodies, our hearts, our minds and our souls. We celebrate with a lot of music-instruments and song, with traditional and fresh prayer, with a great deal of participation, with movement, with meditation and with stimulating Dvar Torah. Please join us this Shabbat. 

The service will be followed with a kiddush, and by a vegetarian potluck lunch.

1824 University Circle, Charlottesville, VA in the large dining room at Hillel. 

For more information, contact pnaiyisrael@gmail.com

Showing of the film sevap/mitzvah and Q&A

Sunday May 12, 1:00-2:30 PM

In 1941 Sarajevo, a Muslim woman hid her Jewish friend from fascist roundups. Half a century later, that same Muslim woman was trapped in the besieged capital during the 1992-1995 Bosnian War — and her Jewish friend made sure she got out.

These real events inspired “Sevap/Mitzvah,” a short film directed by Sabina Vajrača that won the 2023 Humanitas Prize, among other awards, and has qualified to be considered for the 2024 Oscar for best live action short.

The film has been shown across the world, including at the Cleveland International Film Festival and the Joyce Forum Jewish Short Film Festival in San Diego.

The Arabic word “Sevap” and the Hebrew word “Mitzvah” translate to the same meaning: A good deed.

“I wanted to tell a story about Jews and Muslims coexisting peacefully and happily, and helping one another, which is the narrative that we don’t really hear,” Vajrača told the Jewish Telegraphic Agency. Vajrača herself escaped the Bosnian War as a teenager, arriving in the United States as a refugee.

The Q&A will be led by Herb Levy, Ibrahim Anli (executive director of the Rumi Forum) and Rev. Don Lansky, senior minister of the Unity Church of Charlottesville.

The film will be shown at the Unity Church of Charlottesville 2825 Hydraulic Circle.

For more information, contact pnaiyisrael@gmail.com

TORAH-BASED HEALING CIRCLE

Saturday May 18, 10:30 AM

The Torah Study/Healing Circle at a member’s house will focus on the parsha of the week, as a spark to engaged discussion, and healing. It will include a healing prayer and a Kiddush Yatom/Mourner’s Kaddish, and music.

For more information, contact pnaiyisrael@gmail.com