Calendar

At our next book club meeting, we will discuss The Giver of Stars by Jojo Moyes.  Please RSVP to Harley so we know how many to expect.

Join other young professionals to learn how to play mahjong or play with other players if you already know the game. RSVP so we have an accurate headcount! Make sure to join our new Mahjong Facebook group Questions? Message  Lena

Schlep? Schvitz? Schmear? Did you know these are all Yiddish words? Channel your inner Seinfeld and Larry David and come make your bubbe (grandma) proud while learning some new Yiddish phrases, greetings, and idioms while playing fun improv games with improv experts Alissa Platz and Robin Doody. No experience needed; we will just be playing informal games! We will start the evening and ending the evening with mingling over drinks and snacks.

Tickets: $15 per person, includes drinks and snacks
Limited number of tickets, so be sure to register early!

Want to come for free? Email Stacy to find out how you can help at the event.

This event is open to participants ages 21-45.

Instructors

Alissa Platz loves people and plants, so it’s no surprise she’s done a lot of improv scenes as a talking tree. Following the best New Year’s resolution ever, Alissa started improv classes at DC Improv in the spring of 2019. Her level 1 class solidified her love of improv and the rest is history. She completed the majority of the Washington Improv Theater curriculum virtually from the comfort of her kitchen table. She also did the virtual curriculums at WGIS and Magnet Theater in 2020 and the beginning of 2021. Alissa was a part of several virtual indie teams, including Cat Owners’ Association and Free Cheesecake. Additional improv training includes virtual classes at Rise Comedy, Squirrel Theater, and UCB. Despite all of the virtual improv training, she prefers a good old-fashioned stage and real human interactions. Alissa came to DC for college in 2012 and never left. By day, she is a fundraiser for an environmental organization. By night, she is a part-time graduate student who looks forward to graduating in August 2023 and taking a long nap. She is originally from the same state as her hero Bruce Springsteen—New Jersey.
FAVORITE WORD: Ausgezeichnet (means excellent/congratulations in Yiddish)

Robin Doody has a job to support his lifestyle that includes lavish things like eating and shelter. It’s exhausting. But from the depths of his being, Robin musters the energy to be at Washington Improv Theater on weeknights to spread the love of improv. Teaching brings him true joy, and he hopes to meet you in a classroom soon. Outside of the classroom, Robin has been on teams with silly names in both the Harold and ensemble programs (he’ll spare you), and recently performed with the special production (y)Our Town. He writes stuff and sends it places, but it’s rarely a good fit, and they wish him luck elsewhere: https://www.doodyism.com.
FAVORITE HOBBY: Anxiety

Join us for our wonderful Second Night Seder – the open, welcoming, pluralistic celebration of freedom you’ve come to expect from the EDCJCC.

Registration deadline, March 30th 8:00 AM

At the Seder, we find joy in intergenerational community, storytelling, and song. Join us to meet new friends, partake in joyous singing accompanied by a guitar, and have meaningful discussions with your friends, family, and neighbors.

Our Seder will feature a delicious kosher-for-Passover vegetarian meal. We’re serving DC rooftop-grown parsley, and 100% compostable plate ware with composting services generously provided by our sponsor CompostCab. Amanda Herring, Director of Jewish Life and Living, will guide you through the Seder accompanied by Ari Jacobson’s beautiful singing and guitar.

Whether this is your first Seder or your 100th, there’s a place at our Passover table for you!

Seder Menu for 2023 (subject to change)

• Gefilte Fish
• Butternut Squash soup
• Potato Kugel
• Stuffed Peppers
• Veggie Cutlets
• Spring Salad
• Seder Plate classics
• Desert assortment

Ticket Prices:

Adult Ticket: $72.00
EntryPointDC/Young Adult: $54.00
Child (under 12): $36.00

Need assistance? We’re looking for volunteers to help set up and check folks in. We have limited volunteer pricing available. Please reach out to aherring@edcjcc.org.

Seder Leaders:

Amanda Herring is the Director of Jewish Life and Learning at the Edlavitch DCJCC. In 2018, Amanda received her Master’s in Experiential Education and Jewish Cultural Arts at GW, and completed the JOFEE Fellowship in Jewish, Outdoor, Food, Farming and Environmental Education. It was there that she combined her passions for Shabbat and sustainable food which together can nourish and heal communities and ecosystems. Amanda is also the CEO of Gold Herring, co-creater of the Jewish Planner and the Omer Self-Care Workbook, a dance instructor and pickler. Amanda lives in Northeast DC with her partner, Greg and their kids: Abraham, Simkha, and Mensch (the dog).

Song leader Ari Jacobson has been involved in music, Judaism, education, and various overlaps of the three for as long as he can remember. While studying music and theatre at UMass Amherst, he honed his song leading skills at URJ’s Eisner Camp in Great Barrington, MA. Since moving to the DMV two years ago, Ari has been happily providing music for the EDCJCC’s programs for all ages, from baby classes with the parenting center to pre-school music to various community events like this one. Also an actor and a singer/songwriter, Ari can be seen as Mikey Thomas in The Kennedy Center’s Shear Madness, and his original music can be found on his website www.arijacobson.com.

Seder FAQ:

Do I have to be Jewish to attend? (Observant? Old? Young? Ashkenazi? Sephardic? etc.)
Nope. We welcome everyone who would like to join our community-wide seder and celebrate Passover’s lessons of freedom! In fact, every year, we have a beautiful mix of people. Some are Jewish, and some are not. All are welcome, and (if they choose) can easily participate in a variety of ways – singing, reading, discussing ideas, or just generally being among the community.

What if I don’t read Hebrew?
Not a problem. Most of the seder is in English, and most readings in Hebrew also appear with English transliteration.

What about dinner? Is it kosher?
There is a delicious catered Kosher-for-Passover dinner at the community-wide seder. This is a vegetarian meal – and of course we’ll have dessert! Please let us know about any allergies in your registration.

Accessibility?
We’re happy to provide ASL or other interpretation upon advance notice. The Edlavitch DCJCC building is wheelchair/mobility device accessible. If you need other accommodations to allow you to fully participate in the Seder (or simply have questions), please let us know in advance and we’ll be happy to help.

Is there a dress code? What should I wear?
There is no official dress code. Most people dress as they would for a family Seder or holiday – dressed nicely, a little dressed up, but not overly formally. (For many people that could mean a button-down or sweater, a skirt/dress, a jacket, slacks, etc. Most people do not wear jeans.) Please wear what feels appropriate to you to celebrate the holiday.

Is it appropriate to bring kids?
Yes! This is not specifically a “kids” Seder, but our atmosphere is fun and festive! We welcome all who would like to participate.

Was your question not answered? Email Amanda so we can help!

About our sponsor:

Compost Cab is providing their composting services for this event along with discounts for new home composting customers who attend!