Join the Washington DC Jewish Community

For the first time in nearly a decade, the scent of fresh dough and warm community spirit will fill the halls of Washington Hebrew Congregation as the WHC Challah Bake makes its long-awaited return. Members and friends from across our congregation and the greater D.C. area will gather at Temple for an evening that mixes tradition, connection, and a little bit of flour-dusted fun. Each participant will make two loaves, one will head home with you — ready to bake, freeze, or show off proudly on social media. The second will be frozen, later baked at the Temple, and delivered to members who could use a little extra love: individuals recovering from illness or surgery, families who have recently experienced a loss, or those celebrating joyful new beginnings, like the arrival of a baby.

Whether you join us to learn, to laugh, to taste, or to give back, we invite you to roll up your sleeves and dough something delightful as part of this joyful community experience. Come for the challah — stay for the warmth it brings.

Cost is $50 for WHC members; $60 for non-members, and includes dinner and a WHC Challah Bake apron!

We’re taking a page out of When Harry Met Sally and inviting guests to bring a trusted +1, because you never know whose friend you might hit it off with. After dinner, the various groups will assemble at a nearby bar to get to know each other over drinks — the night’s just getting started. You’ll get the location of your dinner 24 hours before the reservation. Your spot will automatically include a ticket for you and your +1. Bon appétit 😉

Join IPF Atid D.C. for a panel discussion examining the future of U.S. security assistance to Israel and the broader regional and political context shaping this critical relationship. Featuring Elisa Ewers and Brian Katulis, the conversation will explore how evolving dynamics in Washington and Jerusalem are influencing debates around Foreign Military Financing, U.S.-Israel strategic cooperation, and long-term regional stability. Elisa and Brian will assess the regional implications of U.S. security assistance, shifting congressional and executive branch perspectives, and how current geopolitical challenges are reframing policy conversations on both sides of the Atlantic.

Dinner and drinks will be provided.

Date: Thursday, January 22
Time: 7-9pm ET
Location: Dupont Circle, Address Provided 24 Hours in Advance

Please use this link to share with friends: ipf.li/jan22dc.

IPF Atid events are for young professionals ages 21-39. If you are beyond this age range, please contact our staff for other ways to be involved with Israel Policy Forum.

Nobody should have their housing depend on a lucky roll of the dice. But what would it look like if it did? Join JUFJ’s DC Housing Justice Working Group for a housing-themed board game night at Board Room. We’ll have regular board games, and our very own original JUFJ tenants’ rights board game. Have fun and learn about what it takes to have a safe, affordable home in DC.

Come early, snack, and schmooze any time from 6:30 PM to 7:00 PM. Then participate in Shabbat services led by Rabbi Jeff Saxe and members of the Rodef 2100 community at 7:00 PM followed by a delicious dinner at 7:45 PM. Join us for all of the night or whichever parts work for you. The specific location within UPSIDE on Moore will be sent the week of the event to all who are registered.

We’d love to see you there!

Join us for all of the night or whichever parts work for you.

For more than 3,000 years, wine has been at the center of Jewish ritual and celebration—so naturally, we’re gathering around…

Empower & Protect: Community Self-Defense Training with Alec Goenner

Presented by Collective Threat Response Initiative (CTRI)
Location: Rockville, MD – Address provided after registration
Sunday, January 25 | 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM

About This Event

In a world where Jewish communities face rising threats, preparedness is empowerment.

Join us for a dynamic, hands-on self-defense and situational awareness training led by Alec Goenner, owner/instructor at IKMA Krav Maga — Israel’s official system of self-defense and close-quarters combat.

This three-hour workshop focuses on practical, effective skills anyone can learn, regardless of age or fitness level. Participants will develop tools to:

• Recognize and avoid potential threats

• React decisively under pressure

• Protect themselves and others with confidence

• Build the mindset of readiness and resilience

The training will address practical self-defense skills applicable to both everyday personal safety situations and community settings. Participants will learn techniques relevant to street-level encounters, as well as response principles for identifying, managing, and disrupting a hostile individual attempting to gain access to a Jewish institution — with an emphasis on awareness, positioning, and decisive action rather than physical strength.

No prior experience required. Open to men and women ages 16+.
Modest workout attire recommended.

About the Instructor

Alec Goenner is the owner and lead instructor at IKMA Krav Maga and has completed over 3,000 hours of advanced instructor training. He holds Black Belt ranking, earned directly under Grandmaster Haim Gidon in Israel — one of only a few Americans to do so. Alec is a certified Krav Maga Civilian, Military, and Police Instructor, and has trained alongside elite instructors including IDF Special Forces experts Nir Maman and Garret Machine.

An active-duty U.S. Coast Guard servicemember, Alec brings years of martial arts, fitness, and real-world defensive experience to every class.

Learn more at IKMA Krav Maga.

Why This Matters

This event is more than just a class — it’s part of CTRI’s mission to empower the Jewish community through training, readiness, and volunteer security leadership.

Proceeds support CTRI’s training and operational readiness work, helping equip and license community volunteers who protect Jewish institutions across our region.

Your participation strengthens individual readiness and communal resilience.

The Wizards take on Israel’s Deni Avdija and the Portland Trail Blazers. Each discounted ticket comes with a special Jewish Heritage Night Wizards shirt! Limited quantities, one size fits most. It will be a night filled with celebration of Jewish culture and will include Pre- Game and Halftime performances from our very own Jewish community! 

We are so excited to kick off the new year with another happy hour! Join us on January 27 to connect with both new and familiar faces.

The Jewish Dating Game is leaving New York and heading straight to the capital for a State of the Shidduch. DC, come find your bashert, your bestie, or at least a very cute situationship in a room full of Jews and allies who actually want to talk in real life. Blind date live on stage with personalized matches and WIN a five-star dinner date at The Jewish Dating Game! Whether you’ve got the chutzpah to be a contestant or just coming to mingle, this event promises an unforgettable night of laughter and connections! Who knows, you might even meet your beshert among the crowd!

Four lucky singles will win romantic dinners at DC’s hottest Jewish restaurants! This event is fun and funny for Jews and allies, singles and couples, so bring your friends and let’s make memories together! Stay for a mingle and raffle after the show with more incredible prizes from the best Jewish bakers and businesses!

Get your tickets and submit to be a contestant! (Submissions close Jan 25th) 

https://www.edcjcc.org/calendar/the-jewish-dating-game/

Can’t make it this month? Join our mailing list!

https://tinyurl.com/listjdg

Check out TheJewishDatingGame.com for more details! 

The Jewish Dating Game presents LGBTJEW in DC: one fabulous night where queer Jews and allies take the mic, take up space, and take each other out for dinner. Jewish joy, queer love, and capital C chutzpah all in one room. Blind date live on stage with personalized matches and WIN a five-star dinner date at The Jewish Dating Game! Whether you’ve got the chutzpah to be a contestant or just coming to mingle, this event promises an unforgettable night of laughter and connections! Who knows, you might even meet your beshert among the crowd!

Four lucky singles will win romantic dinners at DC’s hottest Jewish restaurants! This event is fun and funny for Jews and allies, singles and couples, so bring your friends and let’s make memories together! Stay for a mingle and raffle after the show with more incredible prizes from the best Jewish bakers and businesses!

Get your tickets and submit to be a contestant! (Submissions close Jan 26th) 

https://www.edcjcc.org/calendar/the-jewish-dating-game-lgbtjew/

Can’t make it this month? Join our mailing list!

https://tinyurl.com/listjdg

Check out TheJewishDatingGame.com for more details! 

From an early age, Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro learned the power of showing up, listening, and executing to make people’s lives a little better from seeing his parents serve others—his father in the Navy and as the local pediatrician, and his mother as an educator.

Join Adas Israel’s Young Professionals on Saturday, January 31st as we celebrate Tu B’Shevat with a relaxing winter walk in Rock Creek Park. We will meet on the patio in front of Adas right after kiddush (leaving 1 pm) and take a light hike together to Boulder Bridge to mark the new year for the trees. The entire path is paved. Weather permitting, we will sit for a bit at the benches outside Pierce Mill and plan to return by 3 pm. Please dress warmly! 

Our intended route: 

Rain date: Saturday, February 7. 

Participants are encouraged to make a donation in honor of Tu B’Shevat to Adamah, a Jewish environmental organization.

Got a single friend who deserves the spotlight? Take the mic and pitch them to the crowd in 5 minutes of pure hype. Fun, flirty, supportive vibes only. Who knows, you might kick off their next great love story!

Or just attend the event, hype up the presentations, and stay after to mingle!

Celebrate the New Year of the Trees and finally learn what natural wine is at a Tu B’Shvat seder led by Rabbi Jenna.

Join us for Metro Minyan at Washington Hebrew on February 6th!

Join other Shabbat Cluster members and their friends for a mid-season hangout! Open to all, whether you’re part of a Cluster or not.

We are partnering with Quirk Events to host a fun, low-pressure night of board games and connections. A gaming concierge walks you through rotations through easy-to-learn games with new partners. Want to stay in touch with someone you met? We’ll connect you if it’s mutual.

Open to Jewish men seeking women and women seeking men in their 20s and 30s

Luv with Lev and Lisa Ratner Matchmaking are teaming up again to host an evening of sips, shmoozing, and the chance to connect with someone new — maybe even someone special.

Grab a drink (on us!) and settle in before we kick things off with a fun activity at 7:30 to help you mix, mingle, and hopefully spark a connection.

In a polarized era, history can become a subject of political contention. Many see America as perfect, while others argue that the national experiment is fundamentally flawed.

Shabbat and board games: name a better duo! Join Trybal DC as we play, compete, and raffle off some incredible board games! Dinner will be served, drinks will be flowing, and dice will be rolling. Spots are limited, so make sure to grab your spot, and win some games!