Volunteer with the Capital Area Food Bank

During Chanukah, support the Capital Area Food Bank’s efforts to provide equitable access to food and opportunity to people struggling with hunger and food insecurity in our area.

Shabbat: Exhale

With Alison Cohen and Rabbi Nora

At this one-hour alternative Shabbat service, unwind and reconnect through guided meditation, reflection on Jewish teachings, and communal singing led by mindfulness teacher Alison Cohen and Rabbi Nora.

Building a Jewish Home

Open to couples and singles, Jewish and interfaith, this workshop led by Rabbi Nora helps you to craft your unique Jewish life. Discuss Shabbat, finding a community, keeping kosher, negotiating Jewish life with your family, and living spiritually in the modern world. The class will culminate in students attending a Shabbat service and dinner together.

The Jewish Limits on Free Speech

Americans continue to struggle with issues around language: What are the “proper” terms to use? How sensitive should we be? What about an individual’s right to free speech? While the particular nuances of these debates might feel new, the questions underneath them are not. With Rabbi Aaron, explore what our ancient rabbis had to say about how sensitive we should be with our words.

Friday Night Services

With Rabbi Aaron

This inclusive service led by Rabbi Aaron and musicians Aaron Shneyer, Jeff Geld, and Sarah Fredrick blends contemporary and traditional elements for an experience that feels both familiar and fresh.

All I Want for Chanukah is a Christmas Tree

Christmas is coming up, which raises the annual question: Am I a bad Jew if I put up a Christmas tree? Should we consider Christmas trees a deeply religious symbol of Christianity, or simply a festive holiday decoration? With Rabbi Aaron, explore what our ancient rabbis might have to say, ways interfaith families might navigate this dilemma, and how this time of year impacts American Jewish identity at large.

Jewish Flavor: Slow-Cooked Stews

Shabbat overnight stews have existed for centuries throughout the Jewish diaspora, providing a solution for the ancient Jewish desire to feast on a hot meal on Shabbat. Chef Vered Guttman is back with new recipes beyond your grandmother’s cholent: Jerusalem style hamin macaroni, Ancient Persian haleem and overnight vegetarian stuffed vegetable.

Friday Night Services

With Rabbi Nora

This inclusive service led by Rabbi Nora and musicians Aaron Shneyer, Sarah Fredrick and Jeff Geld blends contemporary and traditional elements for an experience that feels both familiar and fresh.

Shabbat at Home Resources

While our Jewish Life staff welcomes Shabbat into their own homes, we have plenty of resources to help you lead your own Shabbat at home.

Basically Jewish

Rabbi Nora leads an experiential, five-week introduction course to Judaism course designed for those looking to reconnect with Judaism, as well as non-Jews looking to discover.