Tikvat Israel Congregation

SEA Change

Tikvat Israel is a member congregation of the SEA Change DMV Network. Click here to learn more. 

SEA Change = Study, Engage, Act, Change

• Studying to learn more about the history, context & complexities of the inequities and social justice challenges we face,

• Engaging to build relationships with congregants, other synagogues and community partners that include those most impacted by social inequities, and

• Acting with partners to achieve systemic change.

Social Justice focuses on addressing the root causes of inequities, whereas Social Action focuses on the symptoms. For example, taking action to address homelessness through legislation that increases low income housing in our communities provides access to legal counsel for tenants facing eviction, increases the minimum wage, and access to mental health services are examples of how we work together with partners to address root causes of inequality.

We (SEA Change) are a network of synagogues fostering relationships and organizing internally and externally to create more equitable and inclusive communities.

• We ground our work in Jewish values and community organizing principles.

• We look internally within our congregations at ways we can act to make our own synagogues more equitable and welcoming to all.

• We engage our congregations to work with each other and with experienced advocacy organizations to take actions that promote social, racial, environmental, and economic justice.

Several TI members participated in the second local SEA Change cohort in 2022, along with members of other local Jewish congregations and organized in partnership with JOIN for Justice.

Tikvat Israel joined SEAChange in May, 2022 and has a core team led by Anna Levy, Debbie Amster and Roni Silverstein. For more information contact Anna Levy at or Roni Silverstein at

You can find opportunities to participate through our partners’ web sites:

Jews United for Justice (JUFJ) – https://jufj.org/

Interfaith Power & Light (IPL) – https://ipldmv.org/

Action in Montgomery (AIM) – https://www.actioninmontgomery.org/

What social justice interests might you about share with TI-SEAChange? Fill out our survey.interest form by clicking here.

Join our listserv to keep posted on upcoming events:

 

UPCOMING OPPORTUNITIES TO PARTICIPATE

Looking for Ways to Support Our Immigrant Neighbors?

 

Jews Like Free Speech, Actually: Comedy Show and JUFJ Fundraiser!

August 19 | 6:30 pm – 9:00 pm

Come support Jews United for Justice at Just Kidding Comedy Collective’s “Jews Like Free Speech, Actually” comedy show on Tuesday, August 19! A lineup of local Jewish comedians (including the daughter of TI members Judi & Bernard Fleitman) will deliver performances filled with laughs, and a portion of proceeds will go to JUFJ. You won’t want to miss it! The show starts at 7:30 PM. Click here for ticket information.

JUFJ Montgomery County Summer Potluck

August 20 – 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm

Wheaton Claridge Local Park, 11901 Claridge Road, Wheaton, MD

Join JUFJers from across Montgomery County for our Summer Potluck! Click here to register.

Action In Montgomery: Facilitation + Equity Training for Listening Sessions

Monday, August 18 – 6:00 pm: Dinner, 6:30–8:30 pm: Training

In Person, in Silver Spring, MD near Route 200

This a great opportunity to learn high level facilitation skills from nationally known equity trainer, Suzanne Haley. Suzanne will focus on how to facilitate real, vulnerable, honest conversations where everyone is heard, respected, and included across lines of race, class, and other differences. This type of listening will get us ready to build teams and get into action. We are listening to learn and ultimately take action based on what we hear. We encourage all leaders participating in the listening campaign in the Maryland Just Power Alliance this fall to attend this training. Please register here: Register

Sacred Grounds: Growing Joy

Introductory Webinars

Join our SEA Change partner, Interfaith Power & Light (IPL)and others, for an Introduction to Growing JOY with Native Plants on Your Congregation Grounds and Members’ Homes

Register  for the Introduction to Sacred Grounds GROWING JOY virtual presentation on 9/4/25. 

Some messages from IPL:

  • Anyone who pays an energy bill in Maryland or in DC can subscribe to community solar projects, including those built by Neighborhood Sun Click here for more information.

Montgomery County homeowners can electrify at home with help from the county’s pilot program with Elysian Energy. Click here to sign up.

Speak out for solar energy in the U.S. Senate!

  • Across the country, faith communities are raising our voices with senators to stop the destructive attacks on clean energy incentives that passed the house in the budget bill.
  • If you live in Virginia or in Maryland or another state, call your senators’ offices today (202-224-3121) and ask them to protect the clean energy tax credit and other solar programs. 
  • Or, speak out by participating in email action alerts from our partners at Protestant, Catholic, and Jewish climate organizations, respectively: Creation Justice Ministries, Catholic Climate Covenant, and Dayenu.
  •  
    • JUFJ Montgomery County Racial Equity and Policing Team Meeting (includes local immigration issues) Tuesday, September 9, 2025 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM ET

    Join us for our next team meeting to discuss ongoing campaigns to transform public safety in our County. https://jufj.org/event/mc-rep-9-9/ 

    • Monthly immigration Know Your Rights (KYR) canvasses. Knowing a second language can be useful, but isn’t required. (Upcoming not yet announced; contact Judi if interested)
    • Training to accompany migrants to ICE/ISAP check ins and court hearings. Sponsored by the DMV Accompaniment Network (DAN), Episcopal Diocese of Washington and Congregation Action Network. (Upcoming dates; contact Judi, Registration always required)
    • Opportunities for attorneys (immigration law experience not required) to volunteer to assist with immigration proceedings through CASA and for folks to volunteer as mentors and language partners through HIAS.
       

If you are interested in these opportunities or others, to work on protecting our immigrant neighbors, contact Judi Fleitman,

Sign up to receive SEA Change emails: Click here to send an email with your name, phone number and e-mail address and we will add you to our list to receive regular information about our upcoming activities.

In This Section