The Davis Center for Social Justice

America’s Jewish Future: What‘s on the Horizon?
2024-05-29 19:00 - 21:00 UTC
Washington Hebrew Congregation and Temple Sinai proudly present a panel discussion program entitled “America’s Jewish Future: What’s On The Horizon?” on Wednesday, May 29, 7 pm – 9 pm at Washington Hebrew (3935 Macomb Street, NW).
This program was inspired by Franklin Foer’s recent piece in The Atlantic, “The Golden Age of American Jewish Is Ending”. Mr. Foer will be one of the panelists in our discussion, joined by Pamela Nadell, the Patrick Clendenen Chair in Women’s and Gender History at American University, and Yolanda Savage-Narva, the vice president of Racial Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion for the Union for Reform Judaism.
The panel will be moderated by David Gregory, current CNN political analyst and former moderator of NBC News’ Meet the Press.
This special program will be open to the community and will be available at no cost. For security reasons, advanced registration is required. See link below.
Learn More and Register

MRJ at A Wider Circle - May 2024
2024-05-31 13:00 - 15:00
Volunteer at A Wider Circle (9159 Brookville Road in Silver Spring) on Friday, May 31, 1 pm – 3 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 for a pre-volunteer lunch at 11:30am are more than welcome!
If you have questions, please contact Jim Jaffe or Ed Cohen. Please sign up by May 29.
Register

GVP Panel: Reframing the Conversation About Gun Safety and Gun Violence Prevention with Jonathan Metzl
2024-06-06 19:00 - 20:00 | Zoom
The Gun Violence Prevention Groups of Temple Sinai (D.C.) and Temple Rodef Shalom (Falls Church, VA) invite you to a virtual presentation, conversation, and Q&A with Prof. Jonathan Metzl on his new book: What We’ve Become: Living and Dying in a Country of Arms. Learn more here.
Zoom meeting information will be sent via email after you register.
Register

Teen SSL Days: Summer 2024
2024-06-18 10:00 - 2024-08-20 13:00
Join with other Temple Sinai teens to volunteer with great organizations while earning SSL hours this summer. Each day will be staffed by a member of our clergy or religious school team and will meet at the designated location; transportation will not be provided. Teens ages 12+ and parents are welcome to join as well.
Dates:
• Tuesday, June 18, 10am – 1pm at Temple Sinai (includes lunch)
• Thursday, August 15, 10am – 12pm at DC Diaper Bank
• Tuesday, August 20, 10am – 1pm at A Wider Circle (includes lunch)
Please register in advance. Email Jenny Cohen with any questions.
Register

Poor People’s Campaign Moral March on Washington and to the Polls 2024
2024-06-29 09:30 - 14:00
Join Temple Sinai at a historic assembly of impacted poor and low-wage workers, representatives from over thirty state coordinating committees, leaders from major religious organizations and denominations, labor unions, and other advocates as we kick off four months of outreach to 15 million poor and low-wage infrequent voters. The event takes place at 3rd & Pennsylvania NW.
We have arranged a venue for a brief Shabbat celebration the morning of the event — and our Rabbi Noah Diamondstein has agreed to lead it! This will make an excellent gathering point for us (it is just a few blocks from the Assembly Point at 3rd and Pennsylvania). So please join us at 9:30am at First Trinity Church (501 4th Street, NW).
Metro stop is Judiciary Square (Red line), but if you choose to drive you will be able to park in the lot across 4th street from the church.
Email Steve Metalitz with any questions.
Register

Pulpit Exchange with St. Columba's Episcopal Church
2024-08-18 10:30 - 2024-08-23 20:00
In August, Rabbi Goldstein and The Rev. Joshua Daniel from St. Columba’s Episcopal Church will be doing a pulpit exchange. Join Rabbi Goldstein as she offers the sermon at St. Columba’s on Sunday, August 18 at 10:30 am, and then come and hear The Rev. Joshua Daniel as he offers a sermon at Temple Sinai on Friday, August 23 at 6:30 pm. Inspired by our Kulanu working group on antisemitism, this is a chance to learn from our neighbors and to experience worship in a different religious community.

Volunteer at A Wider Circle with MRJ
2024-08-22 10:00 - 12:00
Volunteer at A Wider Circle (9159 Brookville Road in Silver Spring) on Thursday, August 22, 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.

Briefing on Freedom in Reproduction - Maryland (FIRM)
2024-09-04 19:30 - 20:30
Maryland voters will have the opportunity to cast their ballot on the Reproductive Freedom referendum on Tuesday, November 5. A YES vote will amend Maryland’s constitution to ensure that everyone has the fundamental right to reproductive freedom, including the right to abortion access and birth control.
Join us on September 4, at 7:30 pm on Zoom, to learn more from Freedom in Reproduction-Maryland (FIRM) organizers. Advanced registration required.
Register

Interfaith Council's Annual Unity Walk
2024-09-08 12:30 - 17:30
Interfaith Council’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. Come by yourself or bring friends and family to celebrate the wonderful diversity that exists in our region.
This year’s walk will take place on Sunday, September 8th from 12:30pm-5:30pm. 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).
Learn More and Buy Tickets

T’shuvah In Action: What Can Congregations Do to Advance Reparations For Slavery and Racism
2024-09-19 19:30 - 21:00
As we enter the month of Elul, and our thoughts turn to repentance for past sins, it’s timely to consider how we can make t’shuvah for the harms inflicted on African Americans in our community by centuries of slavery and many more decades of institutionalized racism. How is the commitment to reparations rooted in our Jewish tradition and teachings? What are other congregations – and communities from other faiths – doing to learn about the damage inflicted by slavery and racism, and to act to help heal those wounds? What concrete steps can we take here in our local community to move the reparations discussion forward?
In 2021, Temple Sinai dove into the discussion on reparations by leading two expert panel presentations for a nationwide audience as part of a webinar series under URJ auspices. Now, a Reparations Toolkit, recently released by the URJ’s Commission on Social Action, aims to bring this issue down to the local level, and to deepen the engagement of congregations like ours on this critical racial justice issue. Join us in the Bet Am on Thursday, September 19, at 7:30 pm, for a panel presentation on the Toolkit and local reparations initiatives, and a community discussion of actions we can take to advance the effort to make effective t’shuvah for these harms.
Advanced registration required. Contact Steve Metalitz with questions.
Light refreshments will be served starting at 7:00 pm
Register

WIN Conference on Public Safety
2024-09-22 14:00 - 18:00
WIN’s Public Safety Team invites us to reflect on the theological and moral vision behind our work; learn to organize and advocate for sustainable approaches to safe and flourishing neighborhoods, connect with our own members and other congregations, and engage in ways that genuinely help our communities. Congregations like ours that have done deep work in gun violence prevention are especially encouraged to attend.
Location: Covenant Baptist UCC, 3845 S. Capitol St., SW, Washington, DC 20032. Questions? Email Barbara Kraft.
Register

Maj Fun Day in Support of Abortion Access
2024-09-29 14:30 - 17:30
Bring your friends, your spouse or partner, or anyone who wants to play or learn to play including non-Temple Sinai members.
Experienced Mavens—will have designated tables
Beginners and Learners—will get special instruction from Mavens at each table
All Proceeds will benefit Meadow Reproductive Health and Wellness, a non-profit, high-quality, modern, reproductive health clinic, offering compassionate, comprehensive care to everyone. In addition to learning and playing, the afternoon will include mingling, snacks to fuel your Mah-Jongg engine, and a few words about Meadow Reproductive Health and Wellness clinic.
For more information or questions, email templesinaiwrj@gmail.com
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

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

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.

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

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

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

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.

Kulanu Parents' Gathering
2024-12-15 10:00 - 11:00, 2025-01-14 18:00 - 19:00
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

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

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

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

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

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.

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

"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

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
