In Jewish tradition, when we finish studying a text, it’s customary to get together for a siyum, a festive meal commemorating the conclusion of learning. Learners in the Den’s peer-led Mussar Circle have spent the past year studying and discussing the book, Everyday Holiness, inspiring an ethical framework for living and spiritual development. The rest of the Den community is invited to join in this siyum celebration! We’ll enjoy a delicious lunch in the Sukkah, learn about ways to integrate Mussar ethics into our lives, and celebrate our fellow community members for their incredible achievement! Everyone is truly welcome. Your presence will infuse joy and merriment into our communal celebration! No prior experience or involvement in Mussar necessary!

This gathering will be held in Maryland.

Sukkot is a holiday of joyous celebration, and it takes place in a temporary, not-so-sturdy structure. How do we understand the combination of this fragile home and the comfort of celebration + good company? Join Rabbi Jenna in the Congregation Etz Hayim of Arlington Sukkah for an evening of delicious food and community connections as we explore these contrasting themes and the symbolism of the sukkah. A kosher, vegetarian dinner will be provided. All are welcome!

Join Rabbi Aderet and her family in their Sukkah to celebrate the first night of Sukkot. We’ll gather outdoors and under the stars for an evening of dynamic learning, meaningful conversation, and a delicious kosher and vegetarian meal. Seating is limited and registration is on a first-come first-served basis. (We know life happens and plans change. If you signed up and for some reason your plans change, please contact us before the RSVP date so we can open up your seat for someone else, thank you!) The Sukkah is located in Bethesda. Address will be shared with registrants.

Sign-up for this gathering is full.

Reach out to us if you’d like to be connected with folks from the Den to share festive meals over Sukkot.

Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur may have happened already, but that doesn’t mean it’s the end of the High Holy day season! Join Rabbi Jenna at Moishe House Arlington for a wonderful evening of food, learning, and discussion as we explore themes of the High Holy days that continue to be relevant. Through text study, discussion, and sharing, we will discover the High Holy days inspiration to consistently reflect through teshuvah (returning, repentance, repair, growth). We will uncover how we can use this time of year to set intentions and make meaning in our experiences, connecting this season thematically to our everyday lives.

This gathering will be held at Moishe House Arlington. All are welcome!

RAIN PLAN UPDATE:

Friends - Due to the rainy weather, the Wharf boathouse has cancelled our kayak reservations.

FEAR NOT, our rain plan B is to come together at the Wharf on the dock for our Tashlich service and ritual of casting away. We will meet at the Wharf boathouse at 11am.

Questions? Reach out to us.

ORIGINAL PLAN: Join Rabbis Aderet + Jenna on the Potomac River for a meaningful and fun way to take part in the powerful ritual of Tashlich. Tashlich, or “casting away”, is performed during the Ten Days between the start of Rosh Hashana and the beginning of Yom Kippur. We’ll experience this ritual on the water in community, then folks are welcome to enjoy the riverside scenery and eat lunch together.

We’ll meet at the Wharf boathouse for introductions + intention setting before heading out. Please reserve a kayak for one hour (from 11am-12pm). All are welcome!

Who is Jonah, what is his story, and why do we read this book on Yom Kippur (the Day of Atonement)? Jonah goes on a tumultuous journey that leads him to spiritual clarity… or does it? Join Rabbi Jenna to study this short story and its implications for the spiritual journey we all take during the High Holy Day season.

This gathering will be held in DC. All are welcome!

Join Rabbi Aderet for an evening of connection, challah baking, and a meaningful learning experience that invites us to explore the ways we can take action in the new year to impact change in our lives and in the world around us. We’ll begin with learning how to braid a variety of different round and sweet Rosh Hashanah challahs then enjoy an evening of meaningful learning and discussion.

This gathering will be held in Bethesda. Address shared with registrants. All are welcome!

Sign up for this event has closed. We look forward to seeing you at another gathering this season.

Join Rabbi Jenna for a fusion of elements of prayer, as we learn to foster personal spiritual experiences. We will learn how to craft personal spiritual space, for reflection and personally meaningful prayer during the High Holy days. Whether at home alone or within a congregational setting, you will walk away with ways to integrate personal prayer into your High Holy day experience.

This gathering will be held in DC. All are welcome! Looking to connect from within? Sign up below by Sept 10th.

Selichot = Prayers asking for forgiveness. On the Saturday night before we move into the new year, the season of renewal, it is an ancient custom to enter the week of the High Holy Days with the tunes of the season in our ears and on our hearts.

This year we're trying something new + exciting at the Den! Think progressive multi-course dining experience meets spiritual reflection space. We’ll gather for an artfully guided in-person Selichot experience, complete with havdalah, multi-course deliciousness, soulful singing, and thoughtful reflection prompts that will invite us on an introspective journey to prepare for this season of renewal and return. Everyone welcome.

We have reached maximum capacity. We look forward to seeing you at another gathering this season.

To explore is to dive deeper into the meaning once you have discovered something new. In this class, we will navigate through the intentional spiritual content of the prayer service, uncovering and connecting to the thematic elements of the prayers. We will explore how to intentionally prepare for prayer, as well as two unique ways to organize prayer into three-part elements: Please, Wow, Thank you! AND Creation, Revelation, Redemption.

This gathering will be held in Arlington. All are welcome! Curiosity piqued?

To discover is to find knowledge and meaning that was previously unknown to us. In this class, we will uncover a deeper understanding of the structure of prayer, as well as the unique additions of the High Holy Day liturgy. This will include the origins of the High Holy Day prayer service, the service meaning, and physical choreography.

This gathering will be held in Maryland. All are welcome! Ready to jump in?

The Festival of Sukkot invites us to seek shelter, both spiritually and physically, providing us with a sense of safety and stability. Chronic homelessness is a pervasive issue in our society; many people lack the shelter to keep them feeling safe and secure in their daily lives. Join Rabbi Jenna in the sukkah to learn about housing justice from its Jewish roots through to the advocacy and action we can take as a group to impact our local community.

We will gather in Arlington. Light refreshments will be served.

Sign up by October 9th to receive address and details. Everyone welcome.

Who is Jonah, what is his story, and why do we read this book on Yom Kippur (the Day of Atonement)? Jonah goes on a tumultuous journey that leads him to spiritual clarity… or does it? Join Rabbi Jenna to study this short story and its implications for the spiritual journey we all take during the High Holiday season. Everyone welcome.

We will gather in person in Arlington; location details shared with registrants.

Sign up below by Sunday, October 2nd.

The pantry of spiritual, ritual, theological, historical ingredients that make up the High Holy days is vast and complex. We will explore the prominent spiritual themes for each holiday of the season, as well as the foundational rituals, practices, and ways to observe - so you can find the flavors that speak to you! Join us to discover what spiritual seasonings will add meaning to your holiday experiences. We will explore Yom Kippur and the festival of Sukkot. Everyone welcome.

What's Your Spiritual Flavor?

Sign up below by Wednesday, September 28th. This gathering will be held in Arlington.

Join Rabbi Aderet for an evening of connection, challah baking, and an immersive learning experience that invites us to explore the ways we can take action in the new year to impact change in the world around us. We’ll begin with learning how to braid a variety of different round and sweet Rosh Hashana challahs then enjoy an evening of meaningful learning and discussion. Everyone welcome.

We will meet in person in Bethesda. Sign up here by September 15th to receive meet up details.

SIGN UPS ARE NOW CLOSED. WE HAVE REACHED FULL CAPACITY.

WE HOPE TO SEE YOU AT AN UPCOMING DEN GATHERING SOON! SHANA TOVA - HAPPY NEW YEAR.

Selichot = Prayers asking for forgiveness. On the Saturday night before we move into the new year, it is an ancient custom to enter the week of the High Holy Days with the tunes of the season in our ears and on our hearts. We’ll gather outdoors in Bethesda at the home of one of the Den’s board members for an in-person Selichot Service, complete with havdalah and soulful singing with members of our Den Band. Everyone welcome.

Sign up here by September 15th to get meet up details.

The pantry of spiritual, ritual, theological, and historical ingredients that make up the High Holy days is vast and complex. We will explore the prominent spiritual themes for each holiday of the season, as well as the foundational rituals, practices, and ways to observe - so you can discover the flavors that speak to you! Join us to discover what spiritual seasonings will add meaning to your holiday experiences. Everyone welcome.

What's Your Spiritual Flavor?

Sign up below by Tuesday, August 30th. This gathering will be held in Arlington.

[SAVE THE DATE for an upcoming High Holiday Season(ing) class where we’ll explore the festival of Sukkot and the holiday of Simchat Torah on September 14th.]

A traditional yet accessible deep dive into the weekly Torah portion, always tying ancient stories to real life meaning. Tonight’s class will be taught by our friend and colleague, Rabbi Derek Rosenbaum, and will offer a special focus on this week’s festival of Sukkot

Ritualize the 2nd night of Rosh Hashana together in community! Join us on the second night to check-in, connect, and share well wishes for a sweet and healthy new year in community - led by some incredible Den community members. You’re invited to grab any of the following in preparation for our call (or “share” ours!): holiday candles, a glass of wine, challah & apples w/honey.

Shana Tova u’Metukah! Wishes for a sweet and healthy New Year!

Looking for a way to kick off the new year with others while still in quarantine? Join us on the first night of Rosh Hashanah to check-in, set some intentions, and share well wishes for a sweet and healthy new year in community. We’ll join together to recite the holiday blessings over candles, wine, challah, & apples w/honey.

Shana Tova u’Metukah! Wishes for a sweet and healthy New Year!

A traditional yet accessible deep dive into the weekly Torah portion, always tying ancient stories to real life meaning. Tonight’s class will be taught by our friend and colleague, Rabbi Derek Rosenbaum, and will offer a special focus as we prepare for Rosh Hashana.

Join us Saturday night for a very special Selichot, "Standing Still While We Move Forward"

Selichot = Prayers reflecting on forgiveness and the themes of the season. On the Saturday night before we move into the new year, it is an ancient custom to enter the week of the High Holy Days with the tunes of the season. We will be joined by new and old members of the Den music crew and we’ll be zooming to you live from Rabbi Aderet’s front lawn (where we’ll be masked and socially distant).  We will start with Havdalah, then move into a soulful Selichot experience, where we’ll learn some new tunes and savor the classics.  
Everyone welcome. No experience necessary. Extra points if it’s your first time.

We’re creating a space where we can feel grounded and supported in community.

1. To set the mood for Selichot in your home….think mellow and cozy:

   • Dim the lighting or find a nice spot outside

   • Pull out some tapestries, blankets, floor pillows and light some candles

   • We’ll have a havdalah set – but if you have one you want to use when the time comes – bring it out (don’t have a “set” – all you need is: cup of wine, spices (cinnamon or nutmeg), and a candle

2. Text your friend and/or fam

   • Especially at this time, as we enter the new year feeling particularly physically distant from those we care about, feel free to invite friends and family to join. Our virtual Den can hold everyone. 

Join Rabbi Aderet virtually in her kitchen to learn how to braid round and sweet Rosh Hashana challahs. Once our challahs are braided and in the oven, and the aromas start to fill our kitchens, we’ll immerse in some holiday text learning and discussion to prepare ourselves for Rosh Hashana.

Be sure to prepare your challah dough before class begins. (If you already ordered ready-made challah dough with us, stay tuned for an email about curb-side pick up locations throughout DC, MD and NoVA.)

Prepping your challah dough from scratch? See our recipe here.

Our experience this evening is rooted in Jewish text as we deepen our learning, and engage in a practice that increases our awareness to what is real and true for each of us as we navigate this moment of transition from one year to the next. Through text study, discussion, and guided meditation, tonight’s class will foster a space for both thoughtful introspection as well as intentional goal setting as we strive to be as awake as possible to our lives and to our needs during this time of transition.

*** Please note, the Den is excited to be a partner of Elul+ (a project of Jewitathome.com), a global Jewish community, coming together to offer classes and gatherings daily throughout the month of Elul.

For tonight’s Just Breathe gathering, please click below to register to receive a zoom link that will also give you access to all of the other offerings for Jewitathome’s Elul calendar.

We may all be stuck at home, but we can still cook together! Join Rabbi Aderet in conversation with Chef Paula Shoyer, virtually from their kitchens, as Paula guides us in preparing holiday themed dishes for our Rosh Hashana tables. Grab your ingredients and enjoy this interactive cooking class.

Paula Shoyer, known as “the kosher baker,” is the author of The Healthy Jewish Kitchen, The Holiday Kosher Baker, The Kosher Baker and The New Passover Menu. Paula does cooking classes and talks all around the world. She is a freelance writer, cookbook editor, influencer and has appeared on TV numerous times, including on Food Network.

Find out more about Paula and her newsletter Instagram: @kosherbaker 

Join Paula's Kosher Baker group on FB