Home > Faith in Action > Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice (DEIJ) > SEA Change
“Like many other progressive Jews, I’ve accepted as real the false narrative that simply being Jewish made me a part of the brotherhood against racial injustice.”
We actively participate in creating change, both internally in our Congregation and externally in the broader community to pursue equity and justice to heal our fractured world. This includes new endeavors such as congregants forming and participating in Affinity Groups, the Greeter Program, and Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice programming, and through working together with interfaith and community organizing groups on social justice issues.
SEA Change is an opportunity to work together with congregants and others in our community to address long-term inequities. We engage on a personal level, through listening sessions and one-to-one conversations and incorporate community building into action and programming on issues that are important to our members.
All WHC congregants are invited to join in ongoing S.E.A. Change work within and outside the congregation. For more information, please contact Lauren Lieberman at LLieberman@whctemple.org.
"I’ve determined that as a privileged, White American, I want to help turn back systemic racism. As a Jew, I feel I must do more than want…I need to take some action."
“Indifference to oppression is just as dangerous as active oppression. This is an idea that has been drilled into every Jew’s head. If we don’t actively fight against oppression, then we support it…We have to fight against the oppression of African Americans.”
Learn More
Action in Montgomery (AIM) Fall Action: Forging Our Future Tuesday, October 15, 7:00 pm Colesville United Methodist Church, Silver Spring, carpooling available.
We will meet with County Executive Marc Elrich to advocate for attainable housing, pre-K expansion, equitable health care, climate justice, mental health resources and more. RSVP HERE or contact LauraELoeb@gmail.com for more information.
Jews United for Justice (JUFJ) DC Economic Justice Working Group Tuesday, October 15, 6:00-7:30 pm, in person or via zoom Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism, 2027 Massachusetts Ave., NW.
Join our Economic Justice Working Group meeting on Zoom or in person to discuss our current campaigns and how we are working with our partners to build a DC where everyone can live and thrive. RSVP at https://jufj.org/event/dc-ej-10/.
Economic Justice Pizza Party Friday, October 18, following Shabbat@WHC at Temple
Wondering how to get more involved in economic justice work through WHC? Join us for this social gathering and make new friends who share your values. We will get to know each other and talk about upcoming economic justice campaigns in DC and MD. Newcomers and longtime members are welcome! RSVP HERE
Jews United for Justice (JUFJ) Montgomery County Sukkot Gathering Tuesday, October 22, 7:00-8:30 pm, JBSC
Join JUFJers from across Montgomery County to celebrate Sukkot together with good food and good conversation, hear what is happening across our county teams, and look ahead to the exciting work happening during the Maryland State Session. RSVP HERE
Eviction Prevention at the Enclave
Dozens of tenants at the Enclave Apartments in Silver Spring, many of whom are Afghan refugees, are facing eviction. The tenants need pro bono legal counsel to fight the evictions in rent court. If you can provide such help or connect the tenants to lawyers with this kind of experience who are willing to help pro bono, please contact Tonia Chestnut, Enclave Tenant Association President, tonia.m.chestnut@gmail.com or (917) 981-9930.
Action in Montgomery (AIM) Statewide Action for Housing, Climate & Education Sunday, November 17, 3:00-5:00 pm, Columbia, MD, carpooling available
Join 500-600 people as we meet with the MD Secretary of Housing, Comptroller, and key state legislators to discuss diverse, attainable housing options, clean energy for healthy communities, and universal pre-K. RSVP at: https://www.actioninmontgomery.org/events/statewide-action-nov-17 or contact Laura Loeb at LauraELoeb@gmail.com.
Reaching Out To Neurodiverse Individuals & Their Families Are you neurodiverse or do you have a neurodiverse friend or family member who would like to be more involved in WHC Temple life? If so, please contact Jennifer Berzok at KatzBerzok@gmail.com (Board member and mother of a 19-year-old son with autism).
Resources for Creating an Inclusive Community The Jewish Federation of Greater Washington has information about providing the tools to raise awareness and advocate for the civil rights of individuals with disabilities and advance inclusion. This crowd-sourcing guide is a community effort. You can learn more about these available resources HERE or call 301-230-7200.
