Beth El Congregation of Winchester, Va.

02/04/2026

A huge Todah Rabbah (Thank you) and Yasher Koach/Kol HaKavod (Job Well Done) to everyone who gave so willing and selflessly to Beth El's charity clothing drive. You all gave so generously that it took Rabbi Aaron two trips today to get everything to the SPCA thrift store! As it is taught in the Talmud, "Tzedakah (charity) and acts of kindness are the equivalent of all the mitzvot (commandments) of the Torah." Mazal Tov Beth El Family!

02/03/2026

This is a beautiful story about one of our founding member families.

12/15/2025

Scam Alert: If you receive a text or voicemail from (304) 206-5249 claiming to be the Rabbi or any member of Beth El, do not respond to it. It is a scam targeting shuls, churches, and other religious institutions in the VA, WV, and MD area.

12/14/2025

As Jews committed to the principle of Kol Yisrael Arevim zeh Bazeh (“All Jews are responsible for one another”) we at Beth El mourn our brothers and sisters who were senselessly killed and wounded in Bondi Beach, Australia, and extend to them our love, hearts, and full support.

We also extend our sincerest thanks and everlasting gratitude to Mr. Ahmed al-Ahmed, a Muslim shopkeeper who valiantly and heroically disarmed one of the attackers. He truly deserves the title of “righteous among the nations.”

As proud Americans, we at Beth El grieve those who were killed and wounded at Brown University and the two Iowa Army National Guardsmen who made the ultimate sacrifice while deployed to Syria. We offer their families and loved ones our love, hearts, and full support.

May the memory of these precious souls taken so tragically from us burn as brightly as the candles of the Chanukiyah, and inspire us to continue their sacred and holy work.

11/11/2025

Happy Veterans Day to not only those members of our Beth El family who have served our country in uniform, but indeed all Americans who have selflessly donned the camouflaged cloth our nation, thus ensuring that we remain the land of the free and the home of the brave. A grateful nation thanks you!

10/27/2025

Wi******er Public Schools and the Wi******er Education Foundation were proud to dedicate the Jimmy Robertson Carpentry Lab at the Emil & Grace Shihadeh Innovation Center on October 22.
This special ceremony honored Jimmy Robertson, a beloved John Handley High School construction and carpentry teacher and tennis coach whose vision and leadership helped inspire the creation of the Innovation Center — a state-of-the-art hub for Career and Technical Education (CTE). Superintendent Dr. Jason Van Heukelum reflected on Mr. Robertson’s early advocacy for a modern CTE center and celebrated the center’s success since opening in 2019.
Funding for the lab naming was generously provided by Mr. Douglas Toan, a dedicated supporter of Wi******er Public Schools and long-time supporter of CTE. Mr. Robertson shared his gratitude and memories, recalling how far the carpentry program has come — from the basement of John Handley High School to today’s cutting-edge facility.
This dedication celebrates not only one educator’s lasting legacy, but also the ongoing partnership between Wi******er Public Schools, the Wi******er Education Foundation, and our incredible community supporters. ❤️
******erPublicSchools ******erEducationFoundation

10/25/2025

10/14/2025

10/06/2025

A huge thank you (todah rabbah!) to everyone who so generously gave during the annual High Holy Days canned food drive. The food and toiletries were dropped off at the Congregational Community Action Program (CCAP) this morning. Thank you for living out the words of Rabbi Shimon the Righteous: "The world stands on three things: Torah, service to God, and acts of loving kindness." (Ethics of the Fathers 1:2) Wishing you all Chag Sameach, a very happy Sukkot.

09/26/2025

⚠️ Imagine this: 85% of Handley’s graduating seniors are suddenly ineligible to graduate, and 69% of all WPS students are labeled as failing.

Based on our own data analysis, that’s the impact proposed new SOL (Standards of Learning) cut scores could have on WPS beginning this spring if approved by the Virginia Board of Education.

👉 What are cut scores? They’re the minimum scores required for students to pass SOL tests.
• The current cut score is 400 across all tests. The state board is considering a proposal to raise cut scores drastically (see image), starting with tests taken in Spring 2026.

🚨 Such a dramatic shift in accountability measures would set unrealistic expectations and overshadow the real gains made by our students and teachers. Several of our school leaders and teachers expressed their concerns at this week’s School Board meeting: https://bit.ly/SB922CutScores

🌟WPS believes in high expectations! Wi******er consistently outperforms similar city school divisions in Virginia. But Virginia's schools need a fair, transparent, evidence-based process.

💬Here’s how you can help:
Contact the Virginia Board of Education TODAY, and urge them to delay implementing new cut scores, provide transparent data on the potential impact on Virginia's students, and put students first.
-Public Comment Form: https://bit.ly/VDOEComments
-Email: [email protected]
-Phone: 1-800-292-3820, extension #4

Families, students and educators deserve to have a voice in this decision. Thank you for raising your voice!