The Davis Center for Social Justice

Kulanu Parents' Gathering
2024-12-15 10:00 - 11:00 UTC
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!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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.

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

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

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

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

America’s Jewish Future: What‘s on the Horizon?
2024-05-29 19:00 - 21:00
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

Get Out the Vote Postcard Party
2024-05-11 15:00 - 16:00
Join us at Temple Sinai in the Bet Am on Saturday, May 11, 3 – 4 pm, to “pray with your hands”: pick up VA post card packets, visit with other post card writers, and even write a card or two from your packet. Refreshments will be served.
If you can’t attend, you’ll receive alternate instructions for picking up your packets.
RSVP

Temple Sinai Night at "Undesign the Redline" Exhibit
2024-05-09 17:30 - 19:00
“Undesign The Redline DC” is an interactive exhibit that tells the history of policies and actions that created our communities, looks at the legacies of those policies, and prompts conversations about how we as individuals and together can act for change.
We invite you to join us for Temple Sinai Night at Undesign The Redline DC on Thursday, May 9 starting at 5:30 pm as we take a guided tour of the exhibit together followed by a group discussion. We will then adjourn to a nearby restaurant for an informal drink/dinner (optional).
Learn more about the exhibit at their website or email Barbara Kraft for additional information.
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.

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

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!

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

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

"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

"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.

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
