This is one of our favorite holidays at the Den! (Can you have favorites?!)

Join Rabbi Aderet for a night of learning and lively discussion as we explore the intersection of law, practice, and custom when it comes to Passover preparations and observance. You’ll walk away with a tangible understanding of the why, how, and what, as you prepare to enter the Festival of Passover.

No experience necessary, everyone welcome.

This will be a virtual gathering.

Mindfulness + Meditation at the Den is a holistic and soulful experience that takes us on an individual journey from being present to what we are personally experiencing to meaningfully connecting with the community around us. Meditation practice has the ability to build our capacity for a heightened awareness of what is real and true for each of us as we navigate our world.

Jewish wisdom, guided meditation, and mindfulness skill-building will help us ground, reduce anxiety, and become more present in our lives. Each class will touch on a different theme, woven through our grounding exercise, text study, and guided meditation.

No experience necessary. Dress is comfortable and please bring a yoga mat or towel.

Location will be set for a central location for those registered.

We’ll follow up with location specifics on 4/9.

This class is crafted for those new to meditation as well as for veteran meditators. Everyone is welcome.

Discover a unique opportunity to engage in a collaborative, peer-led exploration of the weekly Torah portion!

Whether it’s your first time exploring a text of Torah or you’ve done this for years - this peer-led setting will spark robust dialogue and conversation as we lift up relevant teachings for our daily lives from our ancient texts.

If you are curious about eventually leading (or co-leading) a future peer-led Torah study session, this is a great place to start. Please join us, all are welcome.

This gathering will be virtual. Please join using the link below!

Discover a unique opportunity to engage in a collaborative, peer-led exploration of the weekly Torah portion!

Whether it’s your first time exploring a text of Torah or you’ve done this for years - this peer-led setting will spark robust dialogue and conversation as we lift up relevant teachings for our daily lives from our ancient texts.

If you are curious about eventually leading (or co-leading) a future peer-led Torah study session, this is a great place to start. Please join us, all are welcome.

This gathering will be hosted by Den member, Richard Swanson in Alexandria, VA.

Location details will be shared with registrants. Please sign up below by Friday, 3/1 @ 3pm

Co-creating this community with our members from the ground up is at the heart of everything we do at the Den, and this includes our rabbinic search process. We are excited to partner with our members, lay leaders, and stakeholders in our search for a new community rabbi to join our team.

This special gathering is a crucial part of our rabbinic interview process, and we're thrilled to have you be a part of it. Den members, stakeholders, and our lay leaders are invited to join us for this gathering at a fun venue in DC, where we will enjoy a special evening of learning, ritual, and meaningful connection, all facilitated by our first rabbinic finalist during their visiting weekend.

Details about our rabbinic finalist were sent out via email to members of the Den community.

Location + additional information will be shared with registrants.*

*We know that things come up and life happens. If your plans change, please let us know, so we can adjust the numbers as this will impact our cost. Thank you in advance.

In Jewish tradition, we prefer to say l’hitraot, meaning “see you again,” rather than goodbye. Saying goodbye sounds too final; we’d rather say farewell, knowing and hoping that our paths will cross again.

Please join us to share farewell and blessings with Rabbi Jenna as she heads off to her next adventure. We are grateful for the ways Rabbi Jenna has served the Den Collective community these past few years, and we hope you’ll join us for this special evening.

We’ll gather at a great spot in NoVA to say l’chayim (cheers to life) and l’hitraot! 🥰

First drink is on the Den. All are welcome.

Location and details will be shared with registrants.

A traditional and accessible deep dive into the weekly Torah portion, tying ancient stories to real life meaning. We ask questions of ourselves and our Biblical ancestors to learn from their experience and apply the meaning of their stories to our Jewish journeys. We study the Torah portion as well as commentaries from rabbis throughout history, to gain more insights into the text and its relevance for us today. We incorporate current events, acknowledging that the Torah can provide wisdom for our current moment. All are welcome.

Location details will be shared with registrants. Please sign up here by Monday, 2/12 @ 3pm

Repro Shabbat is an annual Shabbat celebration that honors the Jewish value of reproductive freedom. It takes place annually on Parshat Mishpatim, the reading of which contains the verses commonly referenced as the foundation of Judaism’s approach to reproductive health, rights, and justice. Individuals and communities across the world gather to celebrate Repro Shabbat and the Jewish traditions it honors. Participation can take many forms.

Join Rabbi Jenna for a dining and learning experience dedicated to exploring the Jewish value of reproductive health and freedom for all, and the current issues facing the assurance of reproductive health in the U.S. We will enjoy a delicious bagel brunch, including Kiddush (blessing over grapejuice/wine) and Motzi (blessing over challah).

This gathering will be in Arlington. All are welcome!

A traditional and accessible deep dive into the weekly Torah portion, tying ancient stories to real life meaning. We ask questions of ourselves and our Biblical ancestors to learn from their experience and apply the meaning of their stories to our Jewish journeys. We study the Torah portion as well as commentaries from rabbis throughout history, to gain more insights into the text and its relevance for us today. We incorporate current events, acknowledging that the Torah can provide wisdom for our current moment. All are welcome.

This gathering will be held in Arlington. For in person location for this class, please contact Rabbi Jenna by 12pm on the day.

Refugee Shabbat is an invitation for us to express our solidarity with the global Jewish movement for refugee protection and welcome. People seeking asylum are being turned away at borders around the world. This is a critical moment for all of us to reaffirm and redouble our support for refugees, asylum seekers, and the forcibly displaced, and an opportunity to step back, reflect, and celebrate the work we have already done.

Join Rabbi Jenna for a dining and learning experience dedicated to exploring the current concerns and statistics for global refugees and why it’s a Jewish value to help the stranger. We will enjoy a vegetarian, Kosher meal including blessings of Kiddush (blessing over grapejuice/wine) and Motzi (blessing over challah).

Location TBD. All are welcome!

A traditional and accessible deep dive into the weekly Torah portion, tying ancient stories to real life meaning. We ask questions of ourselves and our Biblical ancestors to learn from their experience and apply the meaning of their stories to our Jewish journeys. We study the Torah portion as well as commentaries from rabbis throughout history, to gain more insights into the text and its relevance for us today. We incorporate current events, acknowledging that the Torah can provide wisdom for our current moment. All are welcome.

This gathering will be held in Arlington. For in person location for this class, please contact Rabbi Jenna by 12pm on the day.

Tu B’Shvat, the 15th day of the Hebrew month of Shvat, is the new year for trees! This holiday originates from the rabbis of the Talmud, and there is a tradition established by Kabbalah, Jewish mysticism, to have a Tu B’Shvat Seder. We will explore Jewish texts, fruits, and themes connected to each of the year’s seasons. Join us for a Seder that will explore this holiday and the spirituality we can find in nature, through study + experience. We will enjoy a variety of fruits, nuts, and wines on our journey through the seasons.

All are welcome. This gathering will be held in Arlington.

To help cover the costs for this gathering, we are asking everyone to please contribute $18. If this is cost prohibitive for you, please be in touch as we don’t want this to be a barrier to participating.

A traditional and accessible deep dive into the weekly Torah portion, tying ancient stories to real life meaning. We ask questions of ourselves and our Biblical ancestors to learn from their experience and apply the meaning of their stories to our Jewish journeys. We study the Torah portion as well as commentaries from rabbis throughout history, to gain more insights into the text and its relevance for us today. We incorporate current events, acknowledging that the Torah can provide wisdom for our current moment. All are welcome.

This gathering will be held in Arlington. For in person location for this class, please contact Rabbi Jenna by 12pm on the day.

Wisdom + Wellness experiences at the Den offer a unique experience to holistically care for ourselves - mind, body, and soul through text study, exploring different wellness practices, and connection to Jewish ritual and wisdom.

The Wisdom + Wellness Circle aims to connect thematically with timely events in the Jewish calendar, as well as what is relevant in our individual lives. Together, we will cultivate a space for reflection, thoughtful introspection, healing, and meaningful connection.

In this circle, we will explore how we can warm ourselves from the inside out, using mindfulness and Jewish wisdom to ignite the spark within us.

No experience necessary, everyone is welcome. This gathering will be held in DC.

Rosh Chodesh directly translates to “head of the month,” and it’s the time each lunar cycle when we have a new moon, meaning no visible moon, and the beginning of a new month in the Hebrew calendar.

At the Den’s Rosh Chodesh circle, we take time for personal reflection + intention-setting through learning, discussion, and rituals to honor the new moon.

On January 11th, we enter the month of Shevat, known as the month of the rainy season. In honor of MLK Day, we will explore Martin Luther King Jr.’s teachings alongside Jewish wisdom to inspire our intention setting for the month, driving out the darkness and spreading light and love.

All are welcome. This gathering will be held in Maryland.

A traditional and accessible deep dive into the weekly Torah portion, tying ancient stories to real life meaning. We ask questions of ourselves and our Biblical ancestors to learn from their experience and apply the meaning of their stories to our Jewish journeys. We study the Torah portion as well as commentaries from rabbis throughout history, to gain more insights into the text and its relevance for us today. We incorporate current events, acknowledging that the Torah can provide wisdom for our current moment. All are welcome.

This gathering will be held in Arlington. For in person location for this class, please contact Rabbi Jenna by 12pm on the day.

Join Rabbi Avi Strausberg, Director of National Learning Initiatives of the Hadar Institute, for this learning experience prepared especially for the Den Collective.

In this session, we will look at a modern midrash (interpretive text) that imagines a grieving God deeply sad as God sees her worlds pool at her feet.  Rooted in the creation story in Genesis, we'll delve together into the creation and destruction of worlds and how to hold loss and hope together.

No experience necessary. Everyone throughout the community is welcome.

This gathering will be virtual; please register below.

A traditional and accessible deep dive into the weekly Torah portion, tying ancient stories to real life meaning. We ask questions of ourselves and our Biblical ancestors to learn from their experience and apply the meaning of their stories to our Jewish journeys. We study the Torah portion as well as commentaries from rabbis throughout history, to gain more insights into the text and its relevance for us today. We incorporate current events, acknowledging that the Torah can provide wisdom for our current moment. All are welcome.

This gathering will be held in Arlington. For in person location for this class, please contact Rabbi Jenna by 12pm on the day.

Join Rabbi Aderet for a special Shabbat and Hanukkah-themed Mindfulness + Meditation Circle

Mindfulness + Meditation at the Den is a holistic and soulful experience that takes us on an individual journey from being present to what is in our hearts to meaningfully connecting with the community around us. Meditation practice has the ability to build our capacity for a heightened awareness of what is real and true for each of us as we navigate our world.

Jewish wisdom, guided meditation, and mindfulness skill-building will help us ground, reduce anxiety, and become more present in our lives. Each class will touch on a different theme, woven through our grounding exercise, text study, and guided meditation.

No experience necessary. Dress is comfortable and please bring a yoga mat or towel.

This class is crafted for those new to meditation as well as for veteran meditators. Everyone is welcome.

To participate, please contact Rabbi Aderet by 2pm on Friday, 12/15:

rabbiaderet@thedencollective.org

There is a rich history of rich, savory Jewish food, but where does it come from? Many of the beloved Jewish foods, recipes, rituals surrounding food, cooking methods, and more can be traced back to the discussions of the rabbis in the Talmud. The sages gathered around in their beit midrash, house of study, to debate and discuss all kinds of foods that are inherently part of Jewish practice, or have become a part of Jewish culture.

We are going to celebrate Hanukkah as we explore global historical cuisine inspired by the holiday. There are various versions of delicious fried foods that have developed in different regions and cultures across the globe, and we’re going to learn about their history while we enjoy tasting them too!

All are welcome. This gathering will be held in Arlington.

A traditional and accessible deep dive into the weekly Torah portion, tying ancient stories to real life meaning. We ask questions of ourselves and our Biblical ancestors to learn from their experience and apply the meaning of their stories to our Jewish journeys. We study the Torah portion as well as commentaries from rabbis throughout history, to gain more insights into the text and its relevance for us today. We incorporate current events, acknowledging that the Torah can provide wisdom for our current moment. All are welcome.

This week, in honor of Hanukkah, we will study the Torah portion alongside the story and rabbinic interpretations of Hanukkah. We will also celebrate the holiday with candle lighting and sweet treats.

This gathering will be held in Arlington.

We launched our monthly B’Yachad gatherings in response to the horrific events of October 7th, the resulting war, and the rise in antisemitism. We carefully facilitate this intentional safe space for people to engage in timely text study, connection, and reflection of recent events; offering support, comfort, and hope.

We begin with group norms to build out our sacred container. We move into time for silent reflection and journaling, then explore Jewish wisdom for the moment through text study and reflections, closing with prayers for peace; this process enables us to find grounding, support, and comfort as we navigate the path ahead.

After October’s first B’Yachad gathering, people at the Den shared with us that this was the first safe space they felt they could truly articulate their feelings and experiences since the events of October 7th.

Our goal is to emerge feeling less alone and more supported, strengthening one another and lighting a path ahead with more hope. Everyone is welcome.

Tonight’s gathering will be held near downtown Bethesda. Please contact Rabbi Aderet (rabbiaderet@thedencollective.org) for specific location details prior to 5:30pm tonight. Please feel free to extend this invitation to anyone in the 20s/30s/40s throughout the DMV who may benefit from this space. Everyone is welcome.

A traditional and accessible deep dive into the weekly Torah portion, tying ancient stories to real life meaning. We ask questions of ourselves and our Biblical ancestors to learn from their experience and apply the meaning of their stories to our Jewish journeys. We study the Torah portion as well as commentaries from rabbis throughout history, to gain more insights into the text and its relevance for us today. We incorporate current events, acknowledging that the Torah can provide wisdom for our current moment. All are welcome.

This gathering will be held in Arlington. For in person location for this class, please contact Rabbi Jenna by 12pm on the day.

A traditional and accessible deep dive into the weekly Torah portion, tying ancient stories to real life meaning. We ask questions of ourselves and our Biblical ancestors to learn from their experience and apply the meaning of their stories to our Jewish journeys. We study the Torah portion as well as commentaries from rabbis throughout history, to gain more insights into the text and its relevance for us today. We incorporate current events, acknowledging that the Torah can provide wisdom for our current moment. All are welcome.

This gathering will be held in Arlington. For in person location for this class, please contact Rabbi Jenna by 12pm on the day.

Queering a text means to read, explore, and connect to that text through a queer lens; it’s a queer reading of source material. Queering the Torah means we explore all things Jewish (texts, sources, traditions, rituals, etc) through the lens of LGBTQIA+ identities. Through this exploration, our aims are to connect our queer identities to our Judaism, to create a safe space for sharing, and to establish a sense of community, camaraderie, and belonging.

Join Rabbi Jenna for an afternoon for safe space, sharing, and learning - from Jewish wisdom and each other - about chosen family, and the need for relationships built on mutual support + love.

This experience is designed specifically for folks who identify as part of the LGBTQIA+ community.

This gathering will be held in Arlington.

We’ve all heard voices of hatred and antisemitism around the globe glorifying the October 7th attacks. But these voices will never drown out those who stand against terror and with Israel. Now the Jewish Federations of North America invite you to raise your voice: to defeat antisemitism, to demand freedom for the hostages, and to demonstrate that America stands with Israel.

MARCH for Israel
MARCH to Free Hostages
MARCH Against Antisemitism

A traditional and accessible deep dive into the weekly Torah portion, tying ancient stories to real life meaning. We ask questions of ourselves and our Biblical ancestors to learn from their experience and apply the meaning of their stories to our Jewish journeys. We study the Torah portion as well as commentaries from rabbis throughout history, to gain more insights into the text and its relevance for us today. We incorporate current events, acknowledging that the Torah can provide wisdom for our current moment. All are welcome.

This gathering will be held in Arlington. For in person location for this class, please contact Rabbi Jenna by 12pm on the day.

Wisdom + Wellness experiences at the Den offer a unique experience to holistically care for ourselves - mind, body, and soul through text study, exploring different wellness practices, and connection to Jewish ritual and wisdom.

The Wisdom + Wellness Circle aims to connect thematically with timely events in the Jewish calendar, as well as what is relevant in our individual lives. Together, we will cultivate a space for reflection, thoughtful introspection, healing, and meaningful connection.

This month we will focus on how we craft and maintain a network of support that helps us continue to care for ourselves, particularly during this vulnerable time.

No experience necessary, everyone is welcome. This gathering will be held in DC.

A traditional and accessible deep dive into the weekly Torah portion, tying ancient stories to real life meaning. We ask questions of ourselves and our Biblical ancestors to learn from their experience and apply the meaning of their stories to our Jewish journeys. We study the Torah portion as well as commentaries from rabbis throughout history, to gain more insights into the text and its relevance for us today. We incorporate current events, acknowledging that the Torah can provide wisdom for our current moment. All are welcome.

This gathering will be held in Arlington. For in person location for this class, please contact Rabbi Jenna by 12pm on the day.

When the limitations of words may tether our prayers, nigunim - wordless song - can offer a container for the yearnings of our hearts. Come together in heart-opening, participatory song with Hadar's Rabbi Deborah Sacks Mintz and facilitators from the DC communal song community.

All voices welcome into this uplifting communal space. Doors open at 7:00pm.