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Welcome to Congregation Or Chadash

Congregation Or Chadash is a vibrant and innovative Reform Jewish Community that promotes Jewish Spirituality and lifelong learning based on the values of Torah, social action, friendship, and caring.

Congregation Or Chadash is in Damascus, MD and serves the upper Montgomery County suburbs of Clarksburg, Germantown, and beyond. All are welcome for our weekly Shabbat services and holiday celebrations. We offer an accredited Religious School for Pre-K through 12th grade, as well as, weekly Torah study and other adult learning opportunities. Our congregation is involved in a wide range of social action causes and there are many social groups for adults and kids. Browse around our website to learn more.

Small enough to feel like family,
and large enough to serve you.

Upcoming Events

  1. 03 Dec

    Adult Learning Prayer Class #19

    12:00 pm - 1:30 pm
  2. 03 Dec

    Shabbat and Chanukah services BYOM (bring your own menorah) (multi-access)

    7:30 pm - 8:30 pm
  3. 04 Dec

    Shabbat Services with 7th grade participation

    10:00 am - 11:30 am
  4. 04 Dec

    Torah study (multi-access)

    11:30 am - 12:30 pm
  5. 05 Dec

    3rd grade Reading with Ruach

    9:30 am - 10:10 am
  6. 05 Dec

    2nd grade Reading with Ruach

    9:30 am - 10:00 am
Religious School
Adult Learning
Amazon Smile
  • Teacher Appreciation Shabbat

    Teacher Appreciation Shabbat

  • Packing Supplies for Refugee Families

    Packing Supplies for Refugee Families

  • Simon Sargon Concert @ Temple Sinai in DC

    Simon Sargon Concert @ Temple Sinai in DC

  • Discover: Purim @ Urbana Library

    Discover: Purim @ Urbana Library

  • The Or Chadash Singers

    The Or Chadash Singers

  • Packing Meals for Rise Against Hunger

    Packing Meals for Rise Against Hunger

  • Packing Meals for Rise Against Hunger

    Packing Meals for Rise Against Hunger

  • Purim Carnival

    Purim Carnival

  • Banner Build an Ark
  • Religious School "Mitzvah Mall"

    Religious School "Mitzvah Mall"

  • Simchat Torah

    Simchat Torah

From the Union For Reform Judaism / Reform Movement

For the Love of Jeff: A Reflection on Mister Rogers’ Most Memorable Young Guest

For the Love of Jeff: A Reflection on Mister Rogers’ Most Memorable Young Guest jemerman November 30, 2021

Ten Minutes of Torah
Erlanger family
At 10, Jeff Erlanger appeared on “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood” in his wheelchair. I recently asked Jeff’s parents about how they raised such a competent and loving son.

Reflections on the Significance of December 7 on American Jewry

Reflections on the Significance of December 7 on American Jewry jemerman November 29, 2021

Holocaust
Major Philip Rudin shortly before the United States entered WWII
December 7 marks the 80th anniversary of the surprise military strike by the Imperial Japanese Navy Air Service on the US naval base at Pearl Harbor in Honolulu. The attack led to America's formal entry into World War II. What ensued would have a profound impact on Jews everywhere, including the American Jewish community.

For Some of Us the Holidays Are Just…Hard

For Some of Us the Holidays Are Just…Hard jemerman November 18, 2021

Death and Mourning
star of david starry lights
As we head into the holiday season, I am acutely aware of how much different this year is going to be than previous ones. I will be celebrating without my mom for the first time. My mother died in January 2021, and I'm still dealing with the unexpected waves of grief that wash over me, sometimes out of nowhere. As I head into this first winter holiday season without her, I'm not quite sure I know what to expect, other than everything is going to be very different.

Reimagining Hanukkah Gift-Giving

Reimagining Hanukkah Gift-Giving jemerman November 18, 2021

Hanukkah
Dasee Berkowitz family Hanukkah menorahs
There are a lot of creative ways to make Hanukkah meaningful when we pause to ask ourselves a few good questions before automatically going into shopping mode.