In Exodus, The Source of Life instructs us to build a Mikdash—a sacred sanctuary. The Torah also calls this structure a Mishkan, a word coming from the Hebrew root Shin-Kaf-Nun (ש-כ-נ), meaning “to dwell.” To create sanctuary is to build a home where the Divine can dwell within and among us. 

We are navigating terrifying storms. Yet, we hold the power to create shelter within and among us. During the Days of Awe and throughout the year, prayer and song, laughter, tears, and connection strengthen our ability to live with openness, love, and justice. Together we renew our commitment to caring for ourselves, one another, and our neighbors, and to the work of making our world a fitting dwelling place for the Divine. 

Here are some ways NSP can be your shelter from the storm in 5787:

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. 

Here are some of the ways we do Shabbat together:

*Childcare is available during services! 

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:  Sunday mornings 9:30am-12:30 PM October-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 2026-2027 closes October 2, 2026. 

Bereishit Parents Circle & Playgroup – Facilitated conversation for parents alongside Jewish programming and childcare for pre-kinder kids whose parents attend the facilitated conversation. Each session focuses on topics related to parenting through Jewish lenses. This fall, we’ll gather outdoors at our new space, weather permitting, on Oct 11, Oct 25, and Nov 15 at 10:00-11:30am. Register here.

Introduction to Jewish Practice –  This fall, we are again partnering with our sibling congregation in Minneapolis, Shir Tikva, to offer a intro course on Zoom called Soulful Jewish Living, focused on the foundations of building and living a Jewish life. Together we’ll explore Jewish time and look at Jewish holidays, practices, and life cycle moments.  This course is geared towards anyone who wants to learn more or delve more deeply into Jewish practice including those who want to update (or unlearn) their Hebrew School education, interfaith couples, and those returning to or interested in exploring Judaism.  Stay tuned on the schedule for NSP’s in-person Intro to Jewish Practice Course later this year.

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

Reflections: Weekly Torah Study Through a Kaleidoscope Lens – a weekly drop-in virtual class on Monday evenings at 8-9pm. What does the Torah have to say about code-switching, colorism, or claiming space? And what do our lived experiences as Jews of color, Sephardi and Mizrahi Jews, and people impacted by racism and colonization have to teach us about Torah? Come share questions, frustrations, joys, or just yourself. No prior text-study experience is needed. Register here to receive the Google meet link.

Darchei Mitzvot / דרכי מצוות: An Adult B’Mitzvah Cohort (zoom) – Darchei Mitzvot means “paths of mitzvot.” This six-month cohort is designed to support participants in developing their own way into Jewish practice and community. Twice-monthly cohort classes will consist of three parts: Jewish liturgy & mitzvot, Torah study & parshanut (textual interpretation), and reflecting on our Jewish journeys. Individualized tutoring will also be provided in Hebrew, liturgy, and/or Torah trope, and one-on-one meetings will be offered to support participants in developing their Jewish practice and finding their way into participation and leadership in Jewish community. The cohort begins Oct. 22 and will be led by Student Rabbi Anna Coufal. Learn more and register here.

Schlichei Tzibur*(Sha”tz) Training Program with Focus on Shabbat Morning will cultivate a small cohort of NSP members to become regular prayer leaders at NSP. The first cohort met in the Spring of 2025 focusing on Friday night services. This second class will focus on Shabbat morning services. Upon completion of the training program, participants will feel capable and committed to leading communal prayer experiences in line with NSP’s communal melodies and matbeah tefilah (structure of prayer). The course will enable participants to learn, train, and practice with the siddur, nusach (musical chants), songs, melodies, and core skills of prayer leadership. The program will be structured around group study, 1:1 mentorship, and supportive experiences leading public prayer. Learn more and register here.

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 5787.
    • Join our monthly Sefardi Mizrahi Conversations on Zoom.
    • Join for weekly Torah study online led by Elizabeth Narvaez, UVA Jewish Studies PhD student and NSP Jews of Color Coordinator

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 upcoming Membership Team hangs – Wed Sept. 30 at 5:30-7:30pm for pizza in the NSP Sukkah and Thurs. Oct 8 at 6:30-8:00pm for drinks at Lyman’s. 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 Sunday, November 8 at 10:00 AM. Register here!

NSP’s Annual Membership Meeting will be on Tuesday May 11 at 8pm.

Save the date for NSP’s Annual Community Retreat, aka Camp NSP – June 4-6, 2027 held at a beautiful retreat center on the Chesapeake Bay! 

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

  • Hang out in the NSP sukkah – Sept 25 – Oct 3
  • Kaleidoscope & Queer Space Potluck Dinner – Fri, Oct 2, 6:30-8:30 PM
  • Community Potluck Shabbat Lunch in the Sukkah – Sat, Sept 26, 11:30 AM-1:30 PM

Simchat Torah

  • Simchat Torah Service and Dance Party – Sat, Oct 3, 6-9 PM

Chanukah 

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

Purim:

  • Kids Purim Party – Sun March 21, 3-6 PM
  • Radical Purim Party & Megillah Reading – Mon, March 22, 7 PM-12 AM

Passover

  • Home-Hosted seders – Wed, April 21 
  • Kaleidoscope Seder – Wed, April 21
  • Queer Space Seder – Wed, April 21

Shavuot

  • Tikkun Leil Shavuot – Thurs, June 10

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:

Join NSP and Rabbis for Ceasefire in donating tzedakah to Gaza Soup Kitchen https://givebutter.com/5787-tzedakah

Help MoCo IRC support neighbors impacted by ICE

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.

The Chesed/Community Care Team holds regular events, including cooking nights. 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. 

This year, we are building a literal sanctuary in our new first-ever long-term home of our own! Learn more about and support our capital campaign to raise the funds we need to build our new home. Contact Lauren@newsynagogueproject.org to talk more about giving or fundraising for the campaign. Contact info@newsynagogueproject.org if you’re interested in volunteering your skills and time to help make our new space a home. Join us for a sneak peak of the new space before it’s built on Thursday, Sept. 17 at 6-8pm!

Other ways to co-create NSP this year:

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