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

TI SEA Change:

Yom Kippur, 3:15 pm – Side Trip – Are We (Still) All Immigrants? Join us to share our immigration experiences, personal or inherited; how we view immigration and how views have changed over time.

Sukkot, Sunday, October 12, 10:00 am – noon in the TI Sukkah

Uncovering the Root Causes – A Sukkot Program Exploring Climate & Housing Injustice

An interactive program appropriate for all ages. Light refreshments. RSVP required to help us plan, no charge but donations appreciated. Sponsored by TI SEA Change, Women’s Network, TI Social Action

Action In Montgomery: 

Listening Campaign Launch: Thursday, September 18, 2025 7:00 PM –  9:00 PM 

Harvest Intercontinental Church, 16227 Batchellors Forest Rd, Olney, MD 20832

More information and registration:  https://www.mdjustpoweralliance.org/sept-18-launch 

TI SEA Change will be participating in upcoming Listening Sessions along with other Montgomery County SEA Change congregations. We will discuss the question: What is getting in the way of you, your family or your community from thriving? Watch this space for upcoming opportunities to participate!

Climate Equity Action for Clean Air at Northwest Park

Tues, Sept. 30, 10 am–12:30 pm (To be confirmed)

Public Service Commission of Maryland, 6 Saint Paul St #1600, Baltimore, MD

Join AIM tenant leaders and our climate team at the PSC (Public Service Commission) hearing. 

Together with Interfaith Power & Light, we are supporting a network geothermal project that would upgrade hundreds of homes at Northwest Park Apartments from dirty methane gas to clean electric energy, giving families cleaner air to breathe, and making sure that low-income families fully benefit from energy upgrades.  Please register if you can make it and contact Tanushree () with questions. Register Here.

Jews United for Justice (JUFJ)

Montgomery County Housing Team Meeting: 

Wednesday, September 17, 2025 7:00 PM –  8:30 PM, online

Jewish tradition teaches us that everyone has the right to safe, dignified, and affordable housing. Join JUFJ’s Montgomery County housing team to discuss our ongoing rent stabilization and tenant rights campaign work. RSVP.

Maryland Statewide Kickoff: Community Building and Action: 

Sunday, November 2, 2025 2:30 PM –  4:30 PM 

Owen Brown Interfaith Center, 7246 Cradlerock Way, Columbia, MD 21045

Join JUFJers from across the state as we gear up for the 90 day Maryland Legislative Session by building community, strategizing around our campaigns, and taking action! Whether this is your first JUFJ event or you’ve taken action with us for years, there will be a way for everyone to connect, learn, and co-create meaningful change. This event space is wheelchair accessible. If you have questions, would like to attend, want to carpool, contact Anna Levy,   

RSVP

Looking for ways to support our immigrant neighbors? 

  • Congregation Action Network (CAN)
  • 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,

You are invited! Tikvat Israel SEA Change wants to hear what you care about!  What are the most important issues that we should be addressing to be a more inclusive congregation community, within Tikvat Israel and our surrounding communities? How can you participate? How would you like to be involved? 

SEA Change has hosted the first three of a series of upcoming opportunities for TI members to meet in small discussion groups in members’ homes or at Tikvat Israel. Thank you to the 30 members who were able to join and your willingness to share time and your thoughts! Invitations went out to members roughly based on neighborhoods. We are working on at least two more sessions later in the summer. Watch for more opportunities to participate, or let us know of your interest, Roni Silverstein () or Anna Levy ()

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.

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