The Davis Center for Social Justice

Bystander Training for Allies
2025-08-05 18:30 - 19:30 UTC
Join us for “Bystander Training for Allies”, a Zoom presentation designed to equip individuals with the knowledge and skills to protect themselves and others during immigration enforcement encounters. This concise training will teach participants how to intervene safely when witnessing harassment or discrimination against immigrants. You can learn “Know Your Rights” skills and how to put them to use. The program will be presented by CASA, a leading organization in the Mid-Atlantic states that provides critical services to immigrant and working-class families, and advocates for their rights.
This program is for all people interested in learning how to support the immigrant community, not just lawyers!
Advanced registration required. This program will not be recorded so register today!
Register Here

Serve with Sinai Summer 2025
2025-07-17 10:00 - 12:00, 2025-06-24 10:00 - 12:00, 2025-06-18 10:00 - 12:00, 2025-05-20 16:16
We know that summer often brings extra free time. Whether you are retired, between jobs, or a teen looking for SSL hours, spend time with fellow volunteers this summer while doing good work for our community. Advanced registration required.
All sessions are 10 am – 12 pm:
Wednesday, June 18, 10am – 12pm (A Wider Circle, 9159 Brookville Road, Silver Spring)
Tuesday, June 24, 10am – 12pm (DC Diaper Bank, 8860 Monard Drive, Silver Spring)
Thursday, July 17, 10am – 12pm (A Wider Circle, 9159 Brookville Road, Silver Spring)
Thursday, August 21, 10am – 12pm (A Wider Circle, 9159 Brookville Road, Silver Spring)
A note for our teen volunteers: Volunteers under 14 are welcome if they are accompanied by an adult. (Please register each person attending separately.)
If you have questions, please contact Jenny Cohen.
Register

Donation Drive to benefit Ayuda
2025-06-01 - 2025-06-15
Temple Sinai’s Davis Center for Social Justice is collecting items to make kids’ activity packs for Ayuda, who provides legal, social, and language services to help low-income immigrants in our area. The “busy bags” will keep the kids entertained while their parents have their legal consultations (and then they can take it home with them).
Please sign up to contribute items to this project. There will be a collection bin in the member lounge area from June 1 – June 15. Please sign up only if you are able to deliver your items within this timeframe. If you are ordering online and want to ship your items directly to Temple Sinai, please send them Attn: Jenny Cohen. They must arrive by Monday, June 16.
We will be packing the kits as the family activity at the Family Shabbat on Friday, June 20. (You can register for the dinner HERE.) You can also sign up to deliver the packs to Ayuda the week of June 23. If instead of purchasing items, you’d like to make a financial contribution, you can donate to Temple Sinai’s Refugee & Migrant fund HERE (please indicate “Ayuda” on the payment notes line).
SIGN UP TO DONATE ITEMS

Visit to the Mexican Consulate
2025-05-21 09:30 - 10:30
Consul Rafael Laveaga, Chief of the Consular Section Embassy of Mexico in Washington, DC, will brief Temple Sinai’s group on the wide range of services the Consulate provides to the Mexican community in the DMV region and the growing demand for its services in today’s climate. The Consulate offers legal guidance and assistance to Mexican nationals in need and actively collaborates with local organizations, community leaders, and faith-based groups to educate the Mexican community about their rights and responsibilities, regardless of immigration status. It also partners with other Latin American consulates in the region to develop joint initiatives aimed at improving the quality of life for their respective communities. As part of the visit, we will have the opportunity to tour the Consulate’s facilities and observe its day-to-day operations.
We will meet at the Mexican Consulate: 1250 23rd Street, NW.
Space is limited – sign up today!
Register

Volunteer with TSMJR at A Wider Circle
2025-05-15 10:00 - 12:00
Volunteer at A Wider Circle (9159 Brookville Road in Silver Spring) on Thursday, May 15, 10 am – 12 pm with Men of Reform Judaism – though all congregants are invited to join. Lunch is not included in this program but those interested in going to Parkway Deli afterwards are more than welcome!
If you have questions, please contact Jim Jaffe or Ed Cohen.
Register

WTF: Washington's Totally Fine!
2025-05-08 19:00 - 21:00
We are feeling the weight of these unprecedented times in Washington, DC. Join us to learn about what is happening from experts in our Temple Sinai congregation and spend time with our community. The evening will begin with a panel of Sinai members representing a broad range of perspectives, reflecting on the significance of this moment, and how it is impacting our community and our city.
Panelists are:

Lynn Sweet, Washington Bureau Chief from the Chicago Sun Times,
Steve Vladeck, Professor at Georgetown Law Center, author of NYT bestseller “The Shadow Docket”,
Royce Murray, Former Assistant Secretary for Border and Immigration Policy at the Department of Homeland Security,
Matt Frumin, DC Councilmember, Ward 3
Jamie Gorelick, Partner at WilmerHale, Former United States Deputy Attorney General

The panel will be followed by pizza, beer and a chance to keep talking to each other. Join us for an evening of learning, networking, and conspiring.
While we hope you can join us in person, the panel portion of the program can be viewed virtually. Please indicate your preference when you register.
Register

Live Taping of "Outlawed" Podcast
2025-04-27 15:00 - 17:00 | Temple Sinai
“A Rabbi, A Reverend, and an Abortionist Walk into a Podcast”
Join us at Temple Sinai for a special live taping of “Outlawed“, the groundbreaking podcast that brings real stories and urgent conversations around reproductive health, rights, and justice directly to listeners. Co-hosted by Dr. Beverly Gray and Dr. Jonas Swartz, Outlawed highlights the voices of patients, providers, and advocates navigating the shifting landscape of reproductive healthcare in America.
For this unique event, Bev and Jonas will be joined by Rabbi Hannah Goldstein of Temple Sinai in Washington, DC and Reverend Katey Zeh, CEO of the Religious Community for Reproductive Choice. Together, they will bring an interfaith lens to the conversation and explore how faith communities, healthcare providers, and advocates can stand together for reproductive dignity.
Following the taping, join us for a reception with light refreshments and the opportunity to continue the conversation with fellow attendees, advocates, and community leaders.
Please register in advance. Sponsorship opportunities are available; learn more here.
Register

Volunteer with TSMJR at A Wider Circle
2025-04-17 10:00 - 12:00
Volunteer at A Wider Circle (9159 Brookville Road in Silver Spring) on Thursday, April 17, 10 am – 12 pm with Men of Reform Judaism – though all congregants are invited to join. Lunch is not included in this program but those interested in going to Parkway Deli afterwards are more than welcome!
If you have questions, please contact Jim Jaffe or Ed Cohen.
Register

Train to be an Immigration Advocate
2025-04-07 14:00 - 16:00
Join attorney (and Temple Sinai member) Cam Crockett for a training session on Family Safety Planning and Standby Guardianship. During this two-hour training, you will learn how to help migrant families in Maryland fill out Standby Guardianship forms which allow parents to plan for the care of their minor children in the event of deportation or detention. You DO NOT need to be a lawyer to help families with this process so this event is open to all TS members!
Come learn more about why the need for these forms is so urgent and how you can help with this very important and timely task. This training is in-person only at Temple Sinai in the Beit Midrash. Please register in advance.
Register

Volunteer with TSMJR at A Wider Circle
2025-03-20 10:00 - 12:00
Volunteer at A Wider Circle (9159 Brookville Road in Silver Spring) on Thursday, March 20, 10 am – 12 pm with Men of Reform Judaism – though all congregants are invited to join. Lunch is not included in this program but those interested in going to Parkway Deli afterwards are more than welcome!
If you have questions, please contact Jim Jaffe or Ed Cohen.
Register

"Join or Die" Film Screening
2025-03-02 15:00 - 17:00
Join or Die is a film about why you should join a club — and why the fate of America depends on it.
In this feature documentary, follow the half-century story of America’s civic unraveling through the journey of legendary social scientist Robert Putnam, whose groundbreaking “Bowling Alone” research into America’s decades-long decline in community connections could hold the answers to our democracy’s present crisis.
Flanked by influential fans and scholars — from Hillary Clinton, Pete Buttigieg, and Surgeon General Vivek Murthy to Eddie Glaude Jr., Raj Chetty, and Priya Parker — as well as inspiring groups building community in neighborhoods across the country, join Bob as he explores three urgent civic questions:

What makes democracy work?
Why is American democracy in crisis?
And, most importantly… What can we do about it?

Following the film screening, Rebecca Davis, co-director of the film, will lead a brief discussion and Q&A.
This program is co-sponsored by the Davis Center and TSWRJ. Please register in advance.
Register

Organizing in a New Administration: Where Do We Go From Here?
2025-02-23 11:30 - 12:30
Join Rabbi Hannah Goldstein and other Temple Sinai members for an open discussion as we look ahead to the coming months. What can we do to help our greater community? our friends? our families? ourselves?
This in-person discussion is open to all Temple Sinai adults and teens. The program will take place at Temple Sinai in the Lipman/Brickner rooms near the new main entrance to the building.
If you have questions, please reach out to Carole Brand or Jenny Cohen. Please RSVP by February 20.
Register

Reproductive Rights Shabbat
2025-02-21 18:30 - 20:00
Please join us for Temple Sinai’s Reproductive Rights Shabbat with guest speaker, Darcy Hirsh, Director of Government Relations and Advocacy at the National Council of Jewish Women (NCJW), and a Temple Sinai member. Ms. Hirsh leads the organization’s policy work at the local, state, and federal levels, as well as its critical advocacy in the courts. She will share her insights about the changing political environment. Our annual service coincides with Parshat Mishpatim to honor the Jewish value of reproductive freedom.
Join us prior to the service, starting at 5:45 pm, for a festive oneg.
Calling all clinicians, advocates, volunteers and educators of reproductive access and choices. Join us for the Motzi, followed by a group photo with Darcy Hirsh right after the service. We look forward to celebrating and honoring your important work.
***In honor of our guest speaker, we are recommending donations to NCJW’s Jewish Fund for Abortion Access. This fund supports patients by providing financial assistance to organizations directly helping those in need, funds NCJW’s rapid response actions— including preparing amicus briefs in lawsuits—and supports abortion justice advocacy and education at the state and local levels.

Volunteer with TSMRJ at A Wider Circle
2025-02-20 10:00 - 12:00
Volunteer at A Wider Circle (9159 Brookville Road in Silver Spring) on Thursday, February 20, 10 am – 12 pm with Men of Reform Judaism – though all congregants are invited to join. Lunch is not included in this program but those interested in going to Parkway Deli afterwards are more than welcome!
If you have questions, please contact Jim Jaffe or Ed Cohen.
Register

Border Trip in El Paso, Texas
2025-02-04 - 2025-02-08
Temple Sinai, led by Rabbi Roos, is taking a small group trip to the border for an immersive educational experience in the heart of El Paso, Texas and Ciudad Juárez, Mexico. We invite you to come and witness the resilience of the local communities, work to understand global migration, and explore the complexities of the borderlands. We hope you will join us for this transformative experience.
This trip is generously supported by the Zwerdling Memorial Fund.
Pricing:
$795 per person paid to Temple Sinai. You will book your own flights and hotel which are estimated at ~$400 per round trip flight and ~$800 per hotel room for 4 nights. Early bird discount of $100 for registrations received by December 5.
Financial Assistance is available due to the generous support of the Zwerdling Memorial Fund. Email Rabbi Goldstein to learn more or inquire.
Other items to note:

Passport is required
Spanish is not required but helpful
Space is very limited; we anticipate the trip filling up, possibly before the early bird deadline, so please register soon. If the trip does fill up, we will maintain a waitlist. Early registration (prior to November 25) is limited to Temple Sinai members.

For more information about the trip, including our Frequently Asked Questions, click here. For additional information, reach out to Jenny Cohen.
Register

Reproductive Health and Rights Group Zoom Meeting
2025-01-27 19:30 - 20:30
With the new Trump administration threatening to further decimate reproductive rights, please join us on Monday, January 27 at 7:30 PM to discuss the difficult road ahead. We will start with a check-in followed by the agenda to:
–finalize the details for the Reproductive Rights Shabbat, to be held on February 21
–explore if we want to plan a group service project and/or a fundraiser for a non-profit such as Meadow Reproductive Health.
–discuss topics for a possible live podcast taping at Temple Sinai (learn more about this exciting possibility at the meeting)
–consider additional educational programming topics for spring 2025.
Please RSVP at the link below. If you are unable to attend, please send your thoughts and ideas to Michelle Engelmann and Laura Blum Meisnere.
Register

Volunteer with TSMRJ at A Wider Circle
2025-01-16 10:00 - 12:00
Volunteer at A Wider Circle (9159 Brookville Road in Silver Spring) on Thursday, January 16, 10 am – 12 pm with Men of Reform Judaism – though all congregants are invited to join. Lunch is not included in this program but those interested in going to Parkway Deli afterwards are more than welcome!
If you have questions, please contact Jim Jaffe or Ed Cohen.
Register

Kulanu Parents' Gathering
2025-01-14 18:00 - 19:00, 2024-12-15 10:00 - 11:00
Join Rabbi Diamondstein and your peer-parents in the community lounge for an hour spent sharing and connecting around your and your children’s experiences with antisemitism. We’ll help you not only to connect in person, but also to join two emerging online spaces, formal and informal, for our parents to stay informed and in touch with each other. Rabbi Diamondstein will provide the coffee and donuts; all you need bring is yourselves!

Volunteer at A Wider Circle with MRJ
2024-12-19 10:00 - 12:00
Volunteer at A Wider Circle (9159 Brookville Road in Silver Spring) on Thursday, December 19, 10 am – 12 pm with Men of Reform Judaism – though all congregants are invited to join. Lunch is not included in this program but those interested in going to Parkway Deli afterwards are more than welcome!
If you have questions, please contact Jim Jaffe or Ed Cohen.
Register

Jews United for Justice 2024 Heschel Vision Awards
2024-12-08 17:00 - 19:30
Jews United for Justice (JUFJ) will recognize social justice leaders in our area at their annual Heschel Vision Awards.
We are pleased to share that Temple Sinai member and justice leader Michelle Engelmann will be recognized with an award for her leadership in the campaign for economic justice for early childhood educators, and for supporting emerging JUFJ leaders in DC. Michelle has also been co-leading our Reproductive Health and Rights Group for the past several years. Mazel tov to Michelle!
The Heschel Vision Awards celebration will take place on Sunday, December 8 at 5 pm at Third Space at Shaarei Tfiloh in Baltimore. If interested in transportation to this event, please email Wendy Khan.

Volunteer at A Wider Circle with MRJ
2024-11-21 10:00 - 12:00
Volunteer at A Wider Circle (9159 Brookville Road in Silver Spring) on Thursday, November 21, 10 am – 12 pm with Men of Reform Judaism – though all congregants are invited to join. Lunch is not included in this program but those interested in going to Parkway Deli afterwards are more than welcome!
If you have questions, please contact Jim Jaffe or Ed Cohen.
Register

Thanksgiving Bag Project
2024-11-17 08:30 - 13:00
Join our annual tradition of providing tikkun olam for needy families! Help us put together Thanksgiving bags full of food that we will give to several non-profits for distribution. We need volunteers to pick up groceries, unload groceries and/or help fill the Thanksgiving bags with other Temple Sinai families.
Organizations receiving baskets include The Family Place, Wheatley Education Campus, Sinai House, Roosevelt High School, A Wider Circle, and Highland Elementary School.
Sign Up

Torah, Trivia & Tax Justice
2024-11-13 19:00 - 20:30
Join Jews United for Justice (JUFJ) for late night snacks, community building, and a deep dive into how we can improve DC’s tax system. Learn about how to balance the scales of opportunity and access in DC as we connect the need for new tax policy to Torah and bond over trivia. JUFJ has mobilized Jews in DC to fight for racial, social, and economic justice for more than two decades. At this event, you can plug in to our work to build a better DC!
Register

ADL Intergenerational Antisemitism Learning Session
2024-10-29 18:30 - 20:00
Attention parents of middle school and high school students and Temple Sinai students grades 9-12!
Join us the evening of October 29th from 6:30 to 8 PM as we welcome professionals from the ADL who will facilitate discussions about the rising antisemitism we are seeing particularly in schools and effective methods to discuss these incidents with peers and school administrators. Students and parents will have simultaneous separate sessions:

Adults will have time for Q&A about antisemitism in schools and what they can do about it in their role as parents
Teens will have a separate session where they will experience ADL’s “Words to Action” program, wherein they will learn skills and tools for speaking proudly about their Jewish identity and standing up against bigotry.

Again, this program is for parents of students grades 6-12 and all high school students (middle school students will remain in their normal Noar classes). This program is brought to Temple Sinai by way of our participation in Kulanu, ADL’s nationwide synagogue initiative to fight anitsemitism.

Volunteer at A Wider Circle with MRJ
2024-10-17 10:00 - 12:00
Volunteer at A Wider Circle (9159 Brookville Road in Silver Spring) on Thursday, October 17, 10 am – 12 pm with Men of Reform Judaism – though all congregants are invited to join. Lunch is not included in this program but those interested in going to Parkway Deli afterwards are more than welcome!
If you have questions, please contact Jim Jaffe or Ed Cohen.
Register

Silence the Violence Concert: A benefit concert to support The TraRon Center
2024-09-29 16:00 - 18:00
Join us in person or online for a musical event benefiting the TraRon Center, a local DC organization that uses the arts to help families and young people who have been victims of gun violence in the healing process. Temple Sinai is a proud co-sponsor of this event.
The concert will be held at the National United Methodist Church, 3401 Nebraska Ave NW. Tickets are $20 (free for children 12 and under). Can’t attend in person? Buy a ticket and watch via live stream!
Learn More and Buy Tickets
