Sukkot in Spring is an annual community development effort coordinated by Yachad, a Jewish organization that helps to rebuild the inner-city in the metropolitan Washington area while building bridges to the residents, organizations, and churches. [In years before 2008 it had been known as "Sukkot in April" and coordinated with the DC branch of the Rebuilding Together with Christmas in April program of Washington DC]. ) Under the program synagogue members spend one or more weekends a year working with elderly or disabled homeowners in doing minor-to-moderate upgrading and repairs to their homes. In past years, over 400 volunteers from various congregations worked on several houses and community facilities in DC.

During April or May of each year the Micah team needs workers - you need not be skilled but home maintenance skills (as well as any construction trade skills) are appreciated. We will supply the food as well as tools. If you're not available on the the main Sukkot-in-Spring day, we have preparatory work to do preceding that day, and often have touch up work afterwards, so contact us to find the days we're working. Email us for more information or to volunteer. Just a few hours of your time are greatly appreciated.

Contributions Needed: You can also make a contribution, in multiples of $18 or otherwise, to the Social Action Fund of the Temple to cover our congregation's cost of sponsoring the house. The Temple's cost to participate is $1,500, and covers only ½ of the projected expenses of renovation; the rest is covered by the other congregation we team with--in recent years it has been Tifereth Israel--and Yachad.  Mail a check earmarked for "Sukkot in Spring project" to the Temple office.

In addition, the DC-JCC Behrend Builders Program does year round work at various sites and volunteers are welcome. Contact Behrend Builders to volunteer or for more information.

2008 Program: In April, May, and June of  2008, we worked at the home of a couple in Northwest DC. We partnered as in past years with members of Temple Tifereth Israel. We put down new tiles in the kitchen and bathroom, repaired a deteriorating dining room wall, repainted the hallways and master bedroom, and rebuilt a porch, along with other miscellaneous repairs.

Volunteers: Please email us if you're interested and available to volunteer on future projects.