Standing with Israel

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Rabbi Holzman was interviewed by ABC7 News as part of a feature in which local religious leaders suggested ways to “Provide aid to people of Israel and Palestine.” Click here to watch the video and read the article.

As you may know, NVHC hosts the All Dulles Area Muslim Society in prayer every Friday. Following a conversation with Imam Magid, their spiritual leader, our clergy team and President decided to send this message.

Unsure how to talk about Israel? Click here to read a guide from Rabbi Holzman. As the situation continues to evolve, we will be sending the most up to date information on the events and other programs via email. Email Ayesha (ShowClick Here to View Contact Information)  to be our weekly email list.

American Judaism, Spirituality and Democracy

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Tuesdays, November 8*, 29, December 13, January 17*, 31, February 28, March 7, 28, April 18, 30*, 6:30-8:00pm

On Zoom, except classes with a * which indicates in person

A huge majority of Americans are concerned about the future of our democracy, and at NVHC, we have discovered through the Rebuilding Democracy Project (RDP) that spirituality and religious ideas can restore hope, build resilience, and transform the way we approach deliberation and politics. These ten sessions will explore the principles of spirituality that undergird norms of healthy citizenship and how religious behavior transforms those rituals into practice. (Note: in the near future, NVHC may undertake an expansion of the RDP to neighboring houses of worship; this course will prepare laypeople to mentor peers in this work).

Register at the link below

Lifelong Learning Registration 5783 – Form – Northern Virginia Hebrew Congregation (shulcloud.com)

Great Texts of America

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Saturday, October 8, November 12, December 10, January 21, February 25, March 25, April 29, May 20, June 17, 9:00am

REGISTRATION FOR GREAT TEXTS OF AMERICA IS NOT REQUIRED

Great Texts of America inserts into our Shabbat morning once/month a foundational text addressing the American experience. Relying upon the sacred setting we create every week with Torah study and prayer, we look at our American narratives through a spiritual lens. This year’s texts will include an exploration of indigenous voices, texts on freedom of religion, and the creation of the “Lost Cause” narrative in the South.

Juneteenth all-nighter in NoVa explores racism

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Article from Washington Jewish Week

“Creating an America without racial violence, oppression, exploitation, fear is an act of imagination,” Holzman said in an interview after the event. “It has not existed and it does not exist. We think differently when we’re engaged [for 10 hours] when we’re sleep-deprived, when the light is thin, and I think that’s what America needs — a different way of thinking about race.”

Read the article

NoVa Congregation Cleans up Wiehle Avenue

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Article from Washington Jewish Week

As the name implies, the Green Team’s purpose was really to support NVHC’s commitment and values toward a sustainable future,” Kranzberg said. “And its purpose was to identify and implement specific solutions to reduce NVHC’s carbon footprint.

Read the article

How are Jews celebrating Juneteenth?

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Article from The Forward

This year, American Jews are making the holiday an annual tradition, and observing it in a myriad of ways — from organizing Shabbat services, to hosting virtual panels to scheduling time for relaxation and reflection.

Read the article

Interfaith exchange is on the menu

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Washington Jewish Week Article  – It’s dinner time at Northern Virginia Hebrew Congregation in Reston and the menu is a hit. As attendees dine on falafel sandwiches and hummus, the conversation turns to the two religions represented at the dinner table, and what those religions believe.

Read the article

Studying the Declaration of Independence like it’s the Torah: One synagogue applies old methods to reflect on modern divisiveness

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Washington Post Article  – The challah had been broken and the blessing for Torah study had been chanted when the rabbi posed a question: Which modern-day prophets have been ostracized for sharing a message that no one wanted to hear?

Read the article

Addressing Guns by Moving Morality

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In a public square fractured by debates on moral questions — how can we make space to address them and find common ground?

Read the article