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

April 28 | 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm |JUFJ

Maryland Convening: Session Celebration and Debrief

Click here to register for this Zoom event.

The 2025 Maryland legislative session included wins, progress, and setbacks, but throughout it all JUFJers organized alongside our partners to advance critical issues. Now that the session is over, join JUFJ in celebrating the progress we’ve made and debriefing our efforts so that we can effectively plan for the work ahead. Join us to learn more about the outcomes of our campaigns and share your thoughts about how we move forward from here.

There will be an optional schmooze at 7:00 PM and the meeting will start at 7:30 PM.

Beyond The White Echo Chamber: Live Q&A with Robin DiAngelo hosted by Nanette D Massey

The book White Fragility has become a cultural touchstone for our time. Most U.S. white people, though, report having no regular contact with non-white people and can only discuss race in an “echo chamber” of other white frames of reference. With black workshop facilitator Nanette D. Massey of Buffalo, N.Y., this is your chance to contextualize race from an unfiltered, real world experience rather than theory. With frankness and practicality, Massey’s goal is to leave audiences with self-clarity and the ability to participate in antiracism efforts within their own personal spheres of influence with genuine confidence, humor, and humility.

Janaki Kuruppu and Mark Diamond of our SEA Change group have both attended webinars moderated by Nannette D. Massey, and we strongly vouch for her skill and sensitivity in guiding this sometimes difficult dialog.  Join us by registering here: Eventbrite link for Nanette D. Massey webinar

Find more information and upcoming events with our SEA Change DMV partners:

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