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:

Purim Misloach Manot for Legislators – Join JUFJ to pack and deliver Purim goody bags to all members of the MD State Legislature and the County Council. This is an opportunity to share the Jewish values that drive our fight for social justice, explain the connection to Purim and highlight the campaigns we are working on.  

There are a myriad of ways to get involved including baking hamantaschen for the goody bags, donating hamantaschen or funds, a bag packing party at TI on Sunday, February 22, 2-4 pm and joining us for a fun time delivering to legislators in Annapolis or Rockville. 

More information and sign up for all of the Purim related activities:

Sunday, February 22 , AT Tikvat Israel Library Mishloach manot packing with JUFJ (for Purim deliveries to legislators in Annapolis), 2:00 – 4:00 pm in the library

Monday, February 23

Tuesday, February 24

  • Delivering gift bags to  Montgomery County elected officials, 12 pm RSVP below

https://jufj.org/event/md-purim-26/#hamantaschen

How to Talk About Antisemitism in 2026

Tuesday, February 3, 12 noon ET on Zoom. 

Jews Against ICE Action with Truah and Bend the Arc

Wednesday, February 11, 2026 1:30 PM –  3:30 PM

Maryland Avenue Linear Park, Washington, DC 20024

Jewish clergy and community members will gather in near ICE headquarters to visibilize the growing, faith-rooted opposition to ICE’s cruel and unfounded immigration enforcement system. Grounded in core Jewish values, this action makes clear that there is broad Jewish communal consensus rejecting policies that dehumanize our neighbors. Through prayer, moral witness, and public testimony, participants will demonstrate that this system is a failure of both morality and policy – and that it does not have to be this way.

Maryland Interfaith Day of Action for Immigrant Justice

February 12 | 10:00 am – 12:00 pm, Annapolis

Join CASA, faith leaders, and community partners in Annapolis on February 12 for an interfaith day of action for immigrant justice!
Gather on Lawyer’s Mall at 10 AM for a rally and then visit legislator offices. You will get additional details in the coming days via the email address you provide on registration. If you are interested in attending and would like to carpool, please contact Judi Fleitman.

Immigrant Support Resources

NO ONE SHOULD GO HUNGRY!!! 

Living Faith Lutheran Church Food Pantry

Help support our neighbors by donating to our friends at the Food Pantry at Living Faith Lutheran Church. Each $25 individual donation purchases about 28 pounds of critically needed food per family. You can donate online by clicking here and choosing the LFLC Food Pantry option, or by clicking below. For volunteer opportunities, contact Anna Levy or 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.

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