Summer SSL Volunteer Opportunities for Teens
2023-08-16 - 2023-08-22
Temple Sinai is offering our teens a chance to get together and earn SSL hours while supporting some great local organizations. Each day will be staffed by a member of our clergy or religious school team and will meet at the designated location (transportation not provided). Teens ages 12+ are invited and parents are welcome to join as well. First 10 people to register will receive a free Davis Center t-shirt. Sign up for as many days as you are available!

Wednesday, August 16, 10 am – 12 pm: A Wider Circle, 9159 Brookeville Road, Silver Spring (lunch provided at noon!)
Tuesday, August 22, 9 am – 12 pm: Capital Area Food Bank, 4900 Puerto Rico Ave, NW

Email Jenny Cohen with any questions. Register at link below.

Tuesday, Aug. 22

Register

Join The RAC for the 2023 March on Washington
2023-08-26 08:00 - 15:00 UTC
60 years ago, ADL leaders joined with civil rights leaders to witness Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. deliver his historic “I Have a Dream” speech. This year we are honored to be a part of this momentous event, which is not a commemoration, but a continuation of that landmark moment in the fight against hate and to secure justice and fair treatment for all.
The Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism will join ADL and a coalition of Jewish communal partners in the March, as we stand arm in arm to Fight Hate for Good with our allies to continue Dr. King’s legacy. We join with MLK’s family, the Drum Major Institute, the National Action Network, NAACP, NUL, LCCHR, Lawyers Committee, NAACP LDF, NCNW, The National Coalition, Unidos and AAJC in marching and speaking out for civil rights and against hate.
Be part of this historic event at the Lincoln Memorial!
If participating, please register with the RAC and ADL here. Also, please email Jenny Cohen to be kept informed on Temple Sinai’s plans for meeting up that day.
Register

WIN Fall Picnic
2023-09-09 11:30 - 13:30
If you’re intrigued by WIN’s work but not sure how to get involved, the fall picnic provides a friendly and festive way to learn more about campaigns and get to know partners from other congregations.
The picnic will take place on Saturday, September 9th from 11:30 to 1:30 at River Terrace park, across the street from Varick Memorial AME Zion Church (255 Anacostia Avenue). Catered lunch provided!
If you have dietary restrictions or allergies, email WIN Operations Manager Jackie Wright with “Dietary restrictions” in the subject line.
Want to carpool or need a ride? Email Anne Schwartz or Barbara Kraft.
RSVP Here

Interfaith Council's Unity Walk
2023-09-10 12:30 - 17:30
IFC’s annual Unity Walk is a public demonstration of love and support for all who live in our region. Walk with participants of all ages to visit different houses of worship in upper Northwest DC to learn about and experience diverse faith traditions. It’s going to be a wonderful afternoon with events for all ages including: an intergenerational storytelling workshop, hosted by the Multifaith Storytelling Institute, family programming, a service project, and more!
The Walk will begin at Washington Hebrew Congregation (3935 Macomb St NW, Washington, DC) and end at the Islamic Center of Washington, DC (2551 Massachusetts Ave NW, Washington, DC). For the full program, please click here.
Learn More and Register

Texting & Phone Banking to Ohio Voters
2023-09-12 19:00 - 2023-10-24 20:30
On November 7, 2023, voters will decide on the Right to Make Reproductive Decisions Including Abortion Initiative, which would amend the Ohio Constitution to provide that each individual has the right to make and carry out one’s own reproductive decisions. This is sponsored by the Religious Action Center-Ohio in partnership with the non-partisan Ohioans United for Reproductive Rights.
Temple Sinai activists for Reproductive Health & Rights and GOTV will have the opportunity to contact Ohio voters this fall by sending post cards to, texting, or calling Ohio voters. These efforts will help ensure voters know about this important ballot measure during an ‘off year’ election when voter turnout is usually very low.
Please join the RAC and RAC-Ohio on Zoom for Tuesday Reproductive Freedom Action Nights from 7:00 to 8:30 EST to contact Ohio voters. The RAC hopes to text voters, although the first night may require making calls. Training will be provided.
Sign up here for one or all evenings:
September 12, 7 pm – 8:30 pm
September 26, 7 pm – 8:30 pm
October 10, 7 pm – 8:30 pm
October 24, 7 pm – 8:30 pm
So that we may track participation from Temple Sinai members, please click here to let us know that you’ve signed up.
Want to write postcards? Sign up here.
Questions? Contact Carole Brand at tsgotv2020@gmail.com.

Maj Fun Day in Support of Abortion Access
2023-10-08 14:30 - 17:30
Maj Day is open to everyone…you, your spouse or partner, or anyone who wants to play!
Come join TSWRJ and The Davis Center for our Maj Fun Day fundraiser to support abortion access. Experienced Mavens will have designated tables. Beginner and Learners will receive special instruction from Mavens. The event is open to everyone, including non-Temple Sinai members. The afternoon includes a brief presentation on current challenges to abortion access and snacks to fuel your Mah-Jongg engine!
Cost: $50 All proceeds will be divided among these 3 organizations supporting abortion access:

Baltimore Abortion Fund
NCJW’s Jewish Fund for Abortion Access
If/When/How: Lawyering for Reproductive Justice

Learn more about the devastating impact of the current restrictions on abortion access here.
Register

MRJ at A Wider Circle
2023-10-10 10:00 - 12:00
Join the Men of Reform Judaism to volunteer at A Wider Circle (9159 Brookville Road in Silver Spring) on Tuesday, October 10, 10 am – 12 pm. 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. Please sign up by October 3.
Register

Silence the Violence Concert
2023-10-14 19:30 - 21:30
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. Concert will feature the music of Children’s Chorus of Washington, Kolot HaLev, and others. See the full list of concert partners and musicians here.
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!
Purchase Tickets

Equity Reimagined: Medical Debt Overhaul, Reparations and Policy Transformation in the DMV
2023-10-19 19:00 - 20:30
In the wake of the pandemic, medical debt has become the largest category of debt collections in the United States and the single largest cause of people having to declare bankruptcy. The racial justice and health equity implications of medical debt are staggering. Those struggling with medical debt are less likely to seek the care that they need, while Black DC residents are 300 percent more likely than white residents to be burdened by medical debt. This panel will illuminate the scope and impact of medical debt, particularly on Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC) residents of the DMV, and discuss ways to eliminate medical debt, both through one-time giving and systemic advocacy. The discussion will highlight how private philanthropy purchasing and eliminating medical debt provides immediate relief to families dealing with the devastating consequences of medical debt, why systemic policy reform to break the cycle of medical debt is needed going forward, and what can be done.
The program will be the kickoff for an exciting Temple Sinai campaign to raise (an initial) $10,000 to eliminate a minimum of $1 million in medical debt. Click HERE to donate.
Light refreshments will be served starting at 6:30 pm.
While we hope you can join us in person, this is a hybrid program that can also be joined virtually.
Register

PANELISTS

Berneta L. Haynes is a senior attorney at the National Consumer Law Center who focuses on consumer energy policy and medical debt. Before joining NCLC, she served as a director at Georgia Watch, a state-based consumer advocacy organization in Atlanta. Previously, she practiced law at Environmental Law and Policy Center in Chicago and Southern Environmental Law Center. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in English, Writing, and Psychology from Drury University, her Master’s degree in English from University of Iowa, and her law degree from University of Iowa College of Law. Read more.

Eva Marie Stahl is the VP of Public Policy at RIP Medical Debt. Eva oversees development and implementation of RIP Medical Debt’s policy work. Prior to RIP, Eva was a leader in the health advocacy community for over a decade as Director of Policy & Partnerships at Community Catalyst. Eva was part of the senior leadership team responsible for developing state and federal policy agenda. She holds a PhD in social policy from the Heller School at Brandeis University and an MPA from the Lyndon B Johnson School of Public Affairs at UT Austin.

Joseph Geevarghese has been a grassroots organizer for over two decades. He currently serves as the Executive Director of Our Revolution, the grassroots progressive political organization that Bernie Sanders started. Prior to Our Revolution, Joseph was the Executive Director of the labor advocacy group Good Jobs Nation and helped lead the $15 and Union strike movement. From 2002 to 2007, Joseph was the Executive Director of the Hospital Accountability Project in Chicago. Joseph is a graduate of Vanderbilt University, where he studied social movements and religion, and the Georgetown University Law Center.

Jennifer Holloway is an Equal Justice Works Fellow at Tzedek DC. Her project works to alleviate medical debt in DC. During law school, Jennifer was a legal intern with the Office of the New York State Attorney General’s Health Care Bureau, and worked as a summer law clerk for the National Center for Youth Law. Jennifer received a Bachelor of Arts from Georgetown University, a Master of Social Work degree from Washington University in St. Louis and a Juris Doctor from the University of California, Berkeley. Read more.

Jonathan Roos has served as Senior Rabbi at Temple Sinai since 2010. He is committed to Jewish social justice work at Temple Sinai and in the wider community. Jonathan was ordained as a rabbi from the Hebrew Union College – Jewish Institute of Religion in 2002. He graduated from the University of Pennsylvania and received a Masters degree in American History from the University of Maryland at College Park. He is a member of the Central Conference of American Rabbis (CCAR) and previously served congregations in Tinton Falls, New Jersey and Albany, New York. Read more.

Ariel Levinson-Waldman (moderator) is the Founding Director of Tzedek DC. Drawing from the Jewish teachings of “Tzedek, tzedek tirdof,” or “Justice, justice you shall pursue,” Tzedek DC’s mission is to safeguard the legal rights and financial health of DC residents with low incomes dealing with the often devastating consequences of debt collection practices, including helping residents address credit report challenges. Ariel is a nationally and locally recognized public interest lawyer. Read more.

Panelists will be joined by Temple Sinai members Dora Chen and Nancy Liebermann.

Gun Industry Accountability: Seeking Justice for All in Maryland
2023-11-05 19:00 - 20:00
Guest Speakers
Sandy and Lonnie Phillips, founders of Survivors Empowered and honored as one of CNN’s 2023 “Champions for Change” for their extraordinary work in helping the families of gun violence victims. Their daughter was murdered in the 2012 Aurora, CO, movie theater shooting, and they have been tireless advocates for survivors of gun violence. (Speaking remotely.)
Erin Davis, Senior Counsel, Director of Litigation, Brady United. She has more than a decade of litigation experience that she now uses to help survivors of gun violence find justice against the gun industry for the devastation caused to their families and others.
Senator Jeff Waldstreicher (D-18), Vice Chair of the Maryland Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee. He is a leader in sponsoring and supporting gun safety legislation, and he will reintroduce a gun industry accountability bill in the Maryland General Assembly 2024 session.
Karen Herren, Executive Director, Marylanders to Prevent Gun Violence (moderator). She was a key advocate for Maryland gun safety bills enacted in 2023, including those governing safe storage of firearms and public carry permitting and training.
Click Here to Read Full Bios of Our Speakers.

Learn More and Register

Questions? Please email tikkunolam@templeshalom.net.

Thanksgiving Bag Project
2023-11-12 10:00 - 12:30
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. Sign-up here to pick up groceries, unload groceries and/or help fill the Thanksgiving bags with other Temple Sinai families.
Note earlier start time than prior years.
Sign Up

Weed Pulling in Rock Creek with Sinaites
2023-11-18 10:00 - 12:30
Sinaites will be participating in an invasive weed pull event with Rock Creek Conservancy on Saturday, 11/18 from 10:00 am – 12:30 pm! We will be helping to stop the spread of invasive plants in order to allow native plants in Rock Creek to thrive. The event will be held at 3031 Sedgwick Street, NW.
To sign up, please complete our Google Form found here AND also register through the National Park Service here.
This event is for Sinaites; parents are also able to sign up to join their teen. Please contact Maya Tarnoff with any questions.

The Legacy of Housing Segregation: A Learning and Action Discussion for Temple Sinai
2023-11-29 19:30 - 20:45
Up until the mid-20th century, law and government policy enforced strict racial segregation in many of the neighborhoods where Temple Sinai members now live. How does this legacy continue to affect our lives today, and what actions can we take, in the spirit of tikkun olam, to help set things right? Join Multiracial Sinai and Rabbi Hannah Goldstein for a Zoom discussion to inform yourself and identify opportunities for meaningful responses. Advanced registration required.
Register

MRJ at A Wider Circle, December 2023
2023-12-07 10:00 - 12:00
Join the Men of Reform Judaism to volunteer at A Wider Circle (9159 Brookville Road in Silver Spring) on Thursday, December 7, 10 am – 12 pm. 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. Please sign up by December 1.
Sign Up

Rededicating Ourselves to Democracy
2023-12-10 15:00 - 17:30
Help Temple Sinai kick off the 2024 election season!
A group of distinguished panelists will lead a discussion about democracy, the threats to it, next year’s election, the youth vote, and what each of us can do to help keep our democracy robust. There will be time for questions from the audience.
To date, panelists include:

Congressman Jamie Raskin, D-MD 8th District
Andrea Miller, Founding Board Member, Center for Common Ground
Barbara Weinstein, Director, Commission on Social Action of Reform Judaism and Associate Director, Religious Action Center
Daniel I. Weiner, Director of the Brennan Center’s Elections and Government Program
Scot Wilson, Curriculum Consultant, Close Up Foundation

Panel will be moderated by Ron Klain, former Chief of Staff for President Joe Biden. Please contact Carole Brand with any questions.
The panel will run until 5pm. Following the program, we will light the Chanukah lights — truly rededicating ourselves through this work to keep our democracy healthy. We will also celebrate Rabbi Hannah Goldstein’s 10th anniversary at Temple Sinai with light refreshments at that time.
While we hope you can join us in person, this is a hybrid program that can also be joined virtually; please indicate your preference when you register.
Please register in advance by December 9.
Register

MLK & MRS Shabbat in the Round
2024-01-12 18:30 - 19:30
The American icon we celebrate on the Martin Luther King holiday was not only the visionary of a beloved community, but also a challenging prophetic voice, calling us to take bold action to confront racism, militarism, and economic injustice. On the Shabbat preceding the MLK holiday weekend, join us for a special service, sponsored by the Multiracial Sinai Committee, featuring congregant reflections on what this prophetic challenge means to us today and tomorrow, and how we can respond to Dr. King’s call to be changemakers in our community.
This service in-the-round will also feature music that enmeshes Dr. King’s social justice campaigns with our liturgy. The Mulitracial Sinai Shabbat begins at 6:30 pm on Friday, January 12, 2024, and will be followed by a festive oneg.

DCYB Cereal Social to Benefit Capital Area Food Bank
2024-01-16 18:00 - 19:00
Calling all Noar Students! The Davis Center Youth Board is hosting a winter fundraiser to benefit the Capital Area Food Bank. Help us help our neighbors in need by bringing a donation to our cereal social. You can support our youth in these efforts by making a donation here.

Green Team Shabbat and Family Dinner
2024-01-19 17:30 - 20:30
Join the Green Team at Shabbat services on Friday, January 19, 2024 for a special celebration of Tu Bishvat, the New Year of the Trees. There will be a climate-themed activity for children during the family dinner portion of the evening.
Following our family service, we will have a sit-down Oneg with speaker, Dan Israel. Mr. Israel is the Senior Vice President of Sales & Marketing at Compost Crew, the largest food scrap collection company in the greater Washington, D.C. area. In honor of Tu Bishvat, he will speak to us about the impact that food and food waste has on global climate change. Learn about Temple Sinai’s Climate Action Plan and what you can do both at home and at Temple to make a difference.
Family Shabbat Dinners are free to all members thanks to the support of the Temple Sinai Religious School and the Ruach Fund. Adults are welcome to join us for dinner, services and our speaker, or to join us at 6:30 for services and 7:30 for our guest speaker.
Register

Refugee Shabbat Service
2024-02-02 18:30 - 19:30
HIAS’ Sixth Annual Refugee Shabbat is an invitation for congregations and individuals to express their solidarity with the global Jewish movement for refugee protection and welcome. Join us for this special service where Mark Hetfield, President & CEO of HIAS, will speak.

Repro Shabbat Service
2024-02-09 18:30 - 19:30
Due to Senator Ariana Kelly’s illness, our guest speaker will now be Maryland State Senator Jeff Waldstreicher (District 18). Senator Waldstreicher is a champion of reproductive rights legislation and served as the Chair of NARAL Pro-Choice Maryland. Our Service in the Round is being held on the same Shabbat weekend as many other synagogues, as coordinated by the National Council of Jewish Women (NCJW). The service will be followed by a festive oneg.
Calling all who worked on Temple Sinai’s Reproductive and Health Rights programs and events, or who attended a rally, or who provide or advocate for women’s reproductive health and rights: please join us for a photo with Senator Waldstreicher on the Bima immediately following services. Thank you for the important work you are doing!

MRJ at A Wider Circle - March 2024
2024-03-05 10:00 - 12:00
Join the Men of Reform Judaism (though all congregants are invited) to volunteer at A Wider Circle (9159 Brookville Road in Silver Spring) on Tuesday, March 5, 10 am – 12 pm. 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. Please sign up by February 29.
Register

WIN Political University - Affordable Housing and Home Ownership
2024-04-04 18:30 - 20:00
Reserve your spot now for the WIN University – Political Education Series!
The Winter/ Spring Political Education series aims to analyze WIN’s issue campaigns through the lens of racial and economic equity: how did we get here? What are the powers at play in each campaign? How do we move forward? Look at WIN’s power and the gap of where we need to build.
April 4th—Affordable Housing and Home Ownership
May 2 —Climate and Healthy Housing Session
Register below for any / all dates you can attend.
Register

MRJ at A Wider Circle - April 2024
2024-04-11 10:00 - 12:00
Volunteer at A Wider Circle (9159 Brookville Road in Silver Spring) on Thursday, April 11, 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. Please sign up by April 9.
Register

"Undesign the Redline" Guide Training
2024-04-12 12:00 - 14:00
Volunteer as a Guide at Undesign The Redline DC at the Cleveland Park Library! Temple Sinai and the Davis Center are co-sponsors of this exhibit, which will be in the Library lobby April 11 – July 11. There’ll be public tours each week and incredible programs around the exhibit themes. Check out www.undesigndc.org, and consider volunteering at a program or being a guide – a great opportunity for college students and adults. Guide Training is at the Library, on Friday, April 12, 12 pm – 2 pm. Email Barbara Kraft, for more information.

"Undesign the Redline" Exhibit at the Cleveland Park Library
2024-04-13 - 2024-07-11
It’s not about the Metro!
Undesign the Redline is an interactive exhibit that explores the history of race-based exclusion from DC neighborhoods. The exhibit explores the history of redlining — the explicit devaluation of residential areas based on race — in upper Northwest DC and helps us understand why inequities in housing and wealth persist. How can we “undesign” these wrongs?
“Undesign The Redline DC” opens to the public at the Cleveland Park Library on Saturday, April 13 and runs through July 11. Learn more at their website or email Barbara Kraft.
Free, public events held in connection with the Undesign the Redline exhibit will explore the racial history of upper Northwest DC and create opportunities for community-building and further discussion about how we can take action to repair the breach. View the full list of these programs here.
Temple Sinai is one of the primary sponsors of this exhibit. We have been working alongside local businesses and faith-based groups to bring it to fruition.
Exhibit Sponsors: Adas Israel Congregation, Bernstein Management, Chevy Chase Presbyterian Church, Diane & Norman Bernstein Foundation, Founders Bank, Friendship Heights Alliance, Historic Chevy Chase DC, National Association of Realtors, National Fair Housing Alliance, Somerset Development Co., St. Columba’s Episcopal Church, St. Paul‘s Lutheran Church, Temple Micah, Temple Sinai, United Bank

Reproductive Freedom Brainstorming Session
2024-04-18 19:30 - 21:00
Please join us at our Reproductive Freedom Brainstorm session with Rabbi Goldstein on Thursday, April 18 at 7:30 pm on Zoom. Bring your ideas for future programming and your offers to participate in this important work, as we continue to fight for abortion access and reproductive freedom. Advanced registration required to receive Zoom link.
Register

Montgomery County Gun Buyback
2024-04-20 09:00 - 13:00
The Interfaith GVP Network, which includes Temple Sinai, is helping to raise funds for a gun buyback event on Saturday April 20, 2024, in Germantown (see full details here). This will be the first faith-based, “up-county” gun buyback in a section of Montgomery County which has seen an uptick in gun violence in recent years. This program is being held in cooperation with the Montgomery County Offices of the Sheriff and State’s Attorney.
The Network has raised over 60% of its $30,000 goal to remove as many as 300 guns from community streets in exchange for gift cards, i.e. “Goods for Guns”. To donate to this effort, please click below.
Donate

Green Shabbat
2024-04-26 18:30 - 20:00
Join the Green Team at Shabbat services in celebration of Earth Day. With prayers and songs on the theme of our Jewish relationship with the earth, the service will also feature guest speaker Elana Goldstein, Region Three Director of the Sustainable Food Project of the Environmental Protection Agency. Join us to learn about Temple Sinai’s Climate Action Plan, the importance of the introduction of composting at Temple Sinai to the global climate crisis, and ways you can help.
Elana Goldstein works at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency where she leads efforts to prevent and reduce wasted food, advance composting and compost use, and build awareness of the environmental impacts of organic materials disposal. She has worked at EPA for 20 years, and previous to her current role, worked on water policy and climate change. She has a B.A. in Environmental Studies and Spanish from Washington University in St. Louis. Outside of work, she is a passionate gardener, forager, composter, and cook!

WIN Political University - Climate and Healthy Housing
2024-05-02 18:30 - 20:00
Reserve your spot now for the WIN University – Political Education Series!
The Winter/ Spring Political Education series aims to analyze WIN’s issue campaigns through the lens of racial and economic equity: how did we get here? What are the powers at play in each campaign? How do we move forward? Look at WIN’s power and the gap of where we need to build.
May 2 —Climate and Healthy Housing Session
Register

Advocating for Abortion: Language and Myth Busting
2024-05-08 19:00 - 21:00
THIS PROGRAM HAS BEEN POSTPONED UNTIL THE FALL.

Language is important.
Dr. Sara Imershein, doctor, educator and advocate, will lead this discussion. We will learn the tested language to best frame abortion conversations for effective advocacy, how to respond to abortion misinformation with education and evidence-based facts. We will also explore why there are no such things as functional abortion “exceptions” and understand the dangers of setting arbitrary gestational limits.
