Every year, hundreds of young professionals in their 20s and 30s dance, raise a glass, and mingle at one of The Jewish Federation of Greater Washington’s major Young Leadership fundraisers, Impact DC: An Evening of Philanthropy. This year’s glittering night of fun and philanthropy, held Oct. 18 at the National Union Building in Washington, D.C., was followed by something new, however: On the following Sunday, over 100 of the gala attendees participated in the Day of Impact, an opportunity for them to roll up their sleeves and be part of the change they helped fund at the gala.

National Refugee Shabbat, a campaign coordinated by the refugee resettlement and advocacy organization HIAS, encouraged Jewish communities across the United States to use Oct. 19-20, the Shabbat of the Torah portion where Abraham begins his journey to the land of Canaan, to create a Shabbat experience dedicated to refugees.

Approximately 700 supporters from the Baltimore area gathered on Oct. 23 for the Friends of the Israel Defense Forces (FIDF) Baltimore Annual Gala at Martin’s Valley Mansion, in Hunt Valley, Maryland, to salute the men and women of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the founding of the Baltimore FIDF Chapter.

After the JCC of Northern Virginia (JCCNV) was targeted in an act of vandalism earlier this month, the community responded with an event celebrating unity and inclusion on Sunday, Oct. 14. Drawing almost 500 attendees, the "CommUNITY Gathering" featured interfaith leaders as well as politicians such as Del. Eileen Filler-Corn and U.S. Rep. Gerry Connolly.

It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out that Israel faces unique and unprecedented security challenges. But it turns out that a rocket scientist can solve some of them.

It’s been eight years since the Berman Hebrew Academy purchased the former Peary High School building and accompanying land in Aspen Hill, Maryland. That might seem like a long time ago, but it was a memorable negotiation for members of the Jewish community — and a battle they want assurances they won’t have to fight twice, regardless of who wins the race for Montgomery County Executive.

The dynamism and vibrancy of Chai Lifeline was on full display Oct. 28 at a community-wide Color Run at the Kemp Mill Synagogue in Silver Spring, Maryland.

From candidate debates to communal conversations on important issues, community events in the Greater Washington area are challenging audiences to learn, engage, and make their voices heard in the upcoming elections Nov. 6.

Chabad Rabbi Chesky Tenenbaum of Baltimore, director of the Jewish Uniformed Services Association of Maryland (JUSA), stands with Aberdeen Proving Ground Garrison Chaplain (Lt. Col.) Michael King outside the first-ever sukkah built at Aberdeen Proving Ground, a U.S. Army facility located adjacent to Aberdeen, Maryland. Rabbi Tenenbaum worked with LTC King and his office to make this special sukkah possible. It was located in the courtyard of the main chapel on base and available for use throughout the holiday, including a sukkah party on the third day of Chol Hamoed.

Bikur Cholim of Greater Washington (BCGW) recently opened a kosher hospital pantry, which provides kosher food for patients’ families, at Holy Cross Hospital in Silver Spring, Maryland.