What we’re about
Welcome to The Ark of Compassion (AOC) Meetup!
We’re a community for anyone curious about living with more compassion for animals, people, and the planet. You don’t have to be vegan or vegetarian to join us! Whether you’re an animal lover, environmentalist, health-conscious, honoring your faith, or simply interested in exploring new ideas, you’ll find a place here to stretch, connect, and grow.
Through engaging events like Lunch & Learns, community meetups, film screenings, book studies, conferences, fitness activities, and more, we create inclusive spaces where people can learn, share, and take simple steps toward a kinder world.
The Ark of Compassion (AOC) exists to turn meaningful moments into movements by helping individuals and communities discover practical, uplifting ways to make a difference.
Join us if you’re ready to meet thoughtful people, enjoy good food, hear inspiring speakers, explore volunteer opportunities, and discover how compassion can shape a brighter future for the animals, people, and the planet.
👉 Learn more at theaoc.org
Upcoming events
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Plant-Based Lunch & Learn: Tu B’Shvat - Jewish New Year for Trees
Siena's Vegetarian Pizzeria Restaurant, 4840 Boiling Brook Pkwy, Rockville, MD, USThe The Ark of Compassion (AOC) and Veg Society of DC (VSDC) invite you to join us for a Plant-Based Lunch & Learn on Saturday, February 1st to celebrate Tu B’Shvat - the Jewish New Year for Trees, a holiday rooted in renewal, gratitude, and reverence for the natural world.
Talk Title: Tu B’Shvat - Jewish New Year for Trees
Speaker: John Netzel, founder of Peaceful Fields Sanctuary
• Location: Siena’s Vegetarian Pizzeria & Italian Restaurant
• Address: 4840 Boiling Brook Pkwy, North Bethesda, MD 20852
• Date and Time: Sunday, February 1st, 2:00–4:00 PM
• Cost/Food: Order at the table (no set ticket price)
Our guest speaker is John Netzel, founder of Peaceful Fields Sanctuary and longtime vegan advocate. John’s work is grounded in Jewish values such as tikkun olam (repairing the world), compassion for all living beings, and mindful stewardship of creation. His story bridges faith, ethics, and action, offering a powerful reflection on how plant-based living connects with Tu B’Shvat’s deeper spiritual themes.
In this uplifting conversation, John will share:
• How Jewish teachings inspired him to build a sanctuary for rescued farmed animals
• The connection between compassion, environmental care, and Tu B’Shvat’s call to honor the earth
• What we can learn from animals about responsibility, community, and kindness
• How plant-forward choices can deepen our practice of tikkun olam
No prior knowledge of Judaism or veganism is required. This event is open to everyone who enjoys good food, meaningful conversation, and learning from diverse perspectives.
Why This Event Matters
Tu B’Shvat invites us to reflect on:
• Our relationship with the earth
• Our responsibility to protect creation
• Our gratitude for the abundance of the natural world
By pairing this holiday with a plant-based meal and a conversation led by a sanctuary founder living out Jewish compassion in action, we hope to create a meaningful bridge between tradition, ethics, and modern food choices.
About the Venue
We’ll gather at Siena’s, a beloved kosher vegetarian Italian-Mediterranean restaurant and community gem. Attendees may order directly from Siena’s extensive vegan menu, which includes:
• Fresh salads
• Homemade pizza and pasta
• Mediterranean favorites
• Plant-based options and easy modifications
Siena’s warm, welcoming atmosphere makes it the perfect place to honor Tu B’Shvat’s themes of renewal, nourishment, and connection.
Questions? Contact info@theaoc.org or Aashish Bhimani at 703-231-0291 (text preferred).
The Ark of Compassion (AOC) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting animal welfare through education, outreach, and partnerships that inspire beneficial change for all life. Founded on the belief that compassion should extend to every living being,
The Ark of Compassion bridges faith-based and secular communities to explore how our choices, traditions, and systems impact animals, people, and the planet. It creates inclusive spaces for conversation and action, helping launch events and ideas that bring people together. By turning meaningful moments into sustainable movements, AOC amplifies compassion into lasting change.
Its mission is inspired by faith, shaped by empathy and reason, and powered by a vision of a future in which animals, people, and the planet flourish together.1 attendee
Past events
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