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

Together in Welcome Vigil for Immigrants

Tuesday, July 1 from 6pm-7:30pm

Tifereth Israel Congregation

7701 16th St NW, Washington, DC 20012

For more information and to register: https://www.tifereth-israel.org/event/together-in-welcome-vigil.html 

Sponsored by HIAS, in partnership with Tifereth Israel and other local congregations of all faiths. The vigil will involve a variety of speakers representing clergy, refugees, immigrants, asylum seekers, and descendants of Holocaust survivors, all coming together to: Bring attention to the worsening situation for refugees, immigrants, and asylum seekers in the United States, Call for advocacy to protect the rights of these groups, Highlight the danger of deploying law and bureaucracy to cause harm to them under the pretext of enhancing legal order without due process.

The vigil will take place outside on the 16th Street side of the synagogue, with plans to move indoors in case of rain. Please Please click here to register on the web site to register on the web site so organizers can know how many people to expect. 

Tikvat Israel is supporting this event with participation from Rabbi Israel, Cantor Helzner and congregant Janice Balin (who will speak of her father’s experiences as a survivor of The St. Louis). If you would like to carpool to the vigil from Tikvat Israel, contact Judi Fleitman 408-206-9068 /

JUFJ Building Power Organizing Training Series (all trainings 7:30 – 9:00 PM on Zoom) 

  • 1:1 Relational Meetings on Wednesday, July 2 – RSVP here
  • JUFJ Community Outreach on Tuesday, July 15 – RSVP here
  • Meeting Facilitation on Tuesday, August 5 – RSVP here

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 presentations on 7/17/25, or 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: nsunsolar.com/ipl
  • Homeowners throughout our region can go solar at home through Solar United Neighbors’ next Switch Together campaign, which will go live on July 23rd. Sign up at bit.ly/faithinsolar
  • Montgomery County homeowners can electrify at home with help from the county’s pilot program with Elysian Energy: bit.ly/electrifyMC.

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.

Looking for Ways to Support Our Immigrant Neighbors? 

  • JUFJ Montgomery County Racial Equity and Policing Team Meeting (includes local immigration issues) Tuesday, July 8, 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-7-8/ 

  • Monthly immigration Know Your Rights (KYR) canvasses: June 8 and 21. Knowing a second language can be useful, but isn’t required. (Upcoming, July 12, July 19, July 26 – registration link, reach out to Judi)
  • 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