Happy New Year!

Thank you for continuing to brighten our community. May 2023 bring you happiness, peace, and good health!

As you finalize your end-of-year charitable giving, we hope you will consider a gift to Federation's 2022 Annual Campaign by December 31^st. Your support will strengthen and sustain vibrant Jewish life in a changing world, and make a tremendous difference for those in need.

Introducing Tehom: a Unique Leadership Journey

Federation presents Tehom, a fellowship for personal growth and an unparalleled leadership journey. Tehom is designed for individuals or couples between their 30s-60s who seek to deepen their connection and personal relationship with Judaism, and serve as catalysts for change in the Jewish community and the greater world.

Watch the video and learn more

Last Call for Impossible Dream Award Nominations!

Phyllis Margolius Family Foundation

As featured in eJewish Philanthropy, the Phyllis Margolius Impossible Dream Award is designed to recognize and honor outstanding Jewish communal professionals. Nominate a Jewish leader for the brand-new annual award by December 31^st! The recipient will receive an $18,000 cash prize for their continued dedication to the Jewish community.

Submit your nominations

A Community-Wide Mitzvah: Genizah Day at Garden of Remembrance

Many thanks to Federation partners at Berman Hebrew Academy and Garden of Remembrance for their collaboration to fulfill a mitzvah (good or righteous deed) on behalf of our community! Following an incredible November book drive at Kehilat Pardes and Berman Hebrew Academy, which collected thousands of donations, on December 4^th, nearly 300 boxes of sacred but no longer usable Jewish books and ritual objects were brought to Garden of Remembrance for proper burial in their genizah, or repository. Thank you to those who led this process — including Garden of Remembrance Executive Director Glenn Easton and Rabbi Uri Topolosky of Kehilat Pardes — and to all who took the time to donate items.

See photos from the Genizah Day in the Washington Jewish Week

Share your Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service Opportunities

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, which began as a commemoration of Dr. King’s birthday, is now the only federal holiday designated as a National Day of Service. We’re compiling MLK Day of Service opportunities (in person and virtual) to help encourage and empower our community members to make a difference! Submit volunteer opportunities you're running and/or planning to attend. Questions? email jconnect@shalomdc.org.

Learn more about MLK Day of Service

Surviving Hostage Situations

Secure Community Network

One year after the hostage incident at Congregation Beth Israel in Colleyville, Texas, join the Secure Community Network to learn practical steps to take at the onset, duration, and resolution of a hostage situation. Panelists will include a Colleyville survivor and security professionals with backgrounds in crisis negotiations.

Register here

» Thursday, January 19 | 1:00 PM – 2:30 PM

Ensure a Vibrant and Secure Jewish Future

This holiday season, let's come together and rededicate ourselves to uplifting our community, caring compassionately for those in need, and ensuring a vibrant Jewish future. As you finalize your end-of-year charitable giving decisions, please consider making or fulfilling your gift to Federation.

Learn more

Open a Donor Advised Fund (DAF)

When you open your DAF with the Jewish Community Foundation (formerly Federation's United Jewish Endowment Fund), you will access our particular expertise on social issues in the Jewish community and the broader world. Your DAF allows you to make charitable gifts to your fund when most convenient for your tax or financial planning and distribute anytime to the qualified 501c3 charities or causes you care about in the Jewish community and beyond.

Open your DAF

Celebrate Israel at 75!

Starting in January 2023, Federation’s extended Israel at 75 community celebration will highlight a variety of Israel-focused opportunities, in-person and online, to connect community members of all ages and backgrounds. Stay tuned for opportunities to learn, engage, and celebrate Israel's milestone 75^th birthday!

Learn Hebrew or Yiddish

Edlavitch DCJCC

Interested in learning a new language? Federation partner, EDCJCC, offers many levels of conversational Hebrew and two levels of Yiddish. All classes will be held virtually via zoom.

Learn more here

» Register by Monday, January 2

Klezmer Koffee House

Ohr Kodesh Congregation

Gather in the Ohr Kodesh Congregation Social Hall for a concert featuring Klezmer music with the band, Mrs. Toretsky’s Nightmare and David J. Gray. The event will feature coffee-flavored drinks and desserts.

Register here

» Wednesday, January 4 | 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM

Toy Drive for Northern Virginia Family Services

Temple Rodef Shalom

Donate toys and games for the Northern Virginia Family Services Youth Initiatives Program, which runs peer support groups for at-risk youth in grades 4 through 6. Many of these children are recent immigrants with limited English; several are reunifying with family after a long separation. Visit the Amazon wish list for donation ideas. Drop off donations from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM in the pod located in the lower parking lot of Temple Rodef Shalom.

Learn more here

» Donate by Sunday, January 7

Our friends at the Washington Jewish Week are offering members of our community a free, one-year subscription. Sign up today!

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The Jewish Federation of Greater Washington
6101 Executive Boulevard Suite 100 | North Bethesda, MD 20852 US