Jeremiah taught that a tree planted by the water grows deep, expansive roots—ever connected to the Source of Life. Even in scorching heat, its leaves stay lush, fresh, and green; even in drought or storm, it can survive and bear fruit. In 5786, we invite you to deepen your roots with the NSP community.

Here are some ways to get involved this year.

Shabbat is מֵעֵין עוֹלָם הַבָּא, a foretaste of the world that is coming. It is not an escape from the world; it is the world, but it is the world as it should be. Shabbat is a time to live into awe and wonder, into pleasure and delight, to be with the trees and family and friends and community. Shabbat is at the core of NSP. This year, all of our programming on Shabbat (including Kollel, our religious school) will happen under one roof at 4704 13th St. NW in Petworth, DC.

Here are some of the ways we do Shabbat together:

*Childcare is now available during services! Please note interest in participating when you register so we know how many children to expect. 

At NSP, we stand again and again at Mount Sinai, receiving a living Torah; an eitz chayim, a tree of life. Our living tree of Torah connects us to tradition and to our ancestors, rooting us in the past as we grow and change towards the future. We strive for this Torah and Judaism to be life-giving, open, and accessible for all who seek it.

Here some of the ways we learn together:

Kollel:  Shabbat mornings 9:30am-12:10 PM September-May. We’re teaching our children a lively, meaningful Judaism, rich with art, culture, text, big questions, and deep discussion through our innovative children’s education program for ages K-7th Registration for 2025-2026 closes October 8, 2025. 

Introduction to Jewish Practice –   NSP is collaborating with our sibling congregations to host Soulful Jewish Living, an online Introduction to Judaism with Rabbi Gray Myrseth Tuesdays at 7 PM beginning Oct. 21 through Dec. 30. Details and registration here. Stay tuned for details about a late spring/early summer in-person course with Rabbi Yosef.

Prayer Leaders Cohort – R’ Yosef will be leading a Prayer Leaders Cohort this fall for lay leaders who hope to help lead Shabbat morning services. Stay tuned for more details. 

Torah Study – Every Thursday at noon (virtual) and 3rd Saturdays at 9:30-10:30 AM in person, led by Rabbi Yosef.

Contact info@newsynagogueproject.org if you have ideas of learning programs you’d like to participate in or help to lead, or if you’d like to be notified when registration opens for our upcoming courses and cohorts.

NSP is an Erev Rav, a mixed multitude community. We create space for making connections across our various identities and also to build relationships with those who especially relate to our own experiences.

Affinity spaces for deepening connections include:

Kaleidoscope: Jews of color, Sephardi/Mizrahi Jews, multi-racial families, and our loved ones

    • Join for Rosh Hoshanah dinner and Shabbat picnic during the High Holidays, and stay tuned for details on our Sukkot potluck, Lunar New Year, Nowrouz Persian New Year, and other events throughout 5786.
    • Join our monthly Sefardi Mizrahi Conversations on Zoom.

Queer Space: Join Queer Space for our sukkot potluck with Kaleidoscope, our Queer Passover Seder, and other events. Contact NSP’s Queer Space leads at queerspace@newsynagogueproject.org to learn more about what’s coming up or to help plan Queer Space programs.

Disability Community (DisCo): New for this year, an opportunity to connect & build community with fellow disabled NSP-ers. A social post-Simchat Torah is currently in the works, and contact NSP’s Disability Community lead at DisCo@newsynagogueproject.org to suggest other events or learn more.

Membership Events: 

Learn more about membership at NSP and ask any questions at the Membership Team hangs during Sukkot on Wed, Oct 8 at 5:30-7:00pm in the NSP sukkah or on Thurs Oct 23 at 6:30-8:00pm at Lyman’s Tavern. Contact membership@newsynagogueproject.org with any questions.

Attend a New Member Orientation for new (or new-ish) NSP members. The next one will be held Saturday, November 8 at 11:30 AM. Stay tuned for registration!

Save the Date for the NSP Annual Membership Meeting on Sunday, May 17 at 4-7 PM. 

Living with simchah, joy, is a spiritual practice. (and as our friends at Free DC remind us, also a key strategy for pushing back against authoritarianism!) We celebrate Jewish holidays throughout the year as a whole community.

Save the dates for:

Sukkot

Simchat Torah

Chanukah 

  • Community Chanukah Party – Sun, Dec 14, 3-6 PM 

Purim:

  • Kids Purim Party – Sun March 1, 3-6 PM
  • Radical Purim Party & Megillah Reading – Mon, March 2, 7 PM-12 AM

Passover

  • Home-Hosted seders – Wed, April 1 & Thurs, April 2
  • Kaleidoscope Seder – Wed, April 1
  • Queer Space Seder – Thurs, April 2

Shavuot

  • Tikkun Leil Shavuot – Thurs, May 21

Stay tuned for details on holiday celebrations via NSP emails and the events calendar.

Justice

With leadership from our Justice Team, NSP members join together on our journey of Yetziat Mitzrayim, leaving the narrow places of our world and our lives. The Exodus teaches us that transformation is possible, and that we can and must reject oppression and confront injustice. This year, our organizing efforts include:

Contact justice@newsynagogueproject.org to get connected to these efforts and check out the NSP calendar for notices about Justice Team meetings and events.

Chesed/Community Care

Our brit, or covenant, is a spiritual and political act of entering into a sacred relationship and obligation with one another and the Source of Life. It calls us to create acts of chesed, or loving-kindness. We show up for one another in times of sorrow and sickness as well as joy and celebration.We take care of each other by asking for and providing help to get one another through difficult times. Our Chesed/Community Care Team organizes support trains and aims to hold space for members to connect with each other. We cook and deliver meals, offer childcare, walk dogs and give other forms of care during members’ life transitions such as welcoming new babies, navigating loss, facing illness, or many other times of need.

If you want to help organize efforts to support one another or have a request for support contact chesed@newsynagogueproject.org.

We act to co-create our community grounded in understanding that Ner Hashem Nishmat Adam, inside of each of us is a sacred spark. The members of our community build and lead our community together. We bring our varied gifts and contributions by volunteering, serving in positions of leadership, engaging in emotional labor, spiritual leadership, and financial support. 

Sign Up to Get Involved in 5786

Questions about where to show up, how to plug in, and ways to get more connected? Contact us at info@newsynagogueproject.org