Leave your feedback Share Copy URL https://www.pbs.org/newshour/nation/synagogues-shutdown-central-offers-ping-pong-in-place-of-paycheck Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Synagogue’s “Shutdown Central” offers ping pong in place of paycheck Nation Oct 1, 2013 5:30 PM EDT Shutdown central at @SixthandI #shutdownsanctuary pic.twitter.com/u77wBE7X1r — Josh Novikoff (@JoshNovikoff) October 1, 2013 The government may have been shut down Tuesday, but affected employees could still head into Washington and practice their ping pong. The Sixth & I Synagogue opened its doors as a “shutdown central” Tuesday morning, and plans to do so every weekday, at 10 a.m. until an agreement is reached by Congress to fund the government. Those who attend will find “Political Ping Pong,” board games, marathons of “The West Wing,” and meeting spaces with free coffee, food and Wifi — what the synagogue describes as all the “essentials for non-essentials.” “A shutdown shouldn’t mean putting your mind to rest,” the event page reads. “Let’s make something out of this nothing.” Sixth and I communications manager Hannah Orenstein shared some photos of day 1 of “Shutdown Central” with the NewsHour: Sixth & I also posted this picture to their Instagram feed: H/T Justin Scuiletti A free press is a cornerstone of a healthy democracy. Support trusted journalism and civil dialogue. Donate now
Shutdown central at @SixthandI #shutdownsanctuary pic.twitter.com/u77wBE7X1r — Josh Novikoff (@JoshNovikoff) October 1, 2013 The government may have been shut down Tuesday, but affected employees could still head into Washington and practice their ping pong. The Sixth & I Synagogue opened its doors as a “shutdown central” Tuesday morning, and plans to do so every weekday, at 10 a.m. until an agreement is reached by Congress to fund the government. Those who attend will find “Political Ping Pong,” board games, marathons of “The West Wing,” and meeting spaces with free coffee, food and Wifi — what the synagogue describes as all the “essentials for non-essentials.” “A shutdown shouldn’t mean putting your mind to rest,” the event page reads. “Let’s make something out of this nothing.” Sixth and I communications manager Hannah Orenstein shared some photos of day 1 of “Shutdown Central” with the NewsHour: Sixth & I also posted this picture to their Instagram feed: H/T Justin Scuiletti A free press is a cornerstone of a healthy democracy. Support trusted journalism and civil dialogue. Donate now