Highlights from Sukkah City x DC’s Community Day

Sukkah City x DC‘s Community Day, on Sunday, September 19, featured more than ten community partners, two artists, seven participating architects/architecture firms, and more than 500 visitors. Following are descriptions of the activities presented by our partners who helped make the day a resounding success. Thank you to everyone for their interest, support, and participation. We look forward to welcoming you to our new building in Fall 2022.

Avodah: Hosted an information table with an interactive feature asking “What does welcoming the stranger mean to you?”

DC Central Kitchen: Generously provided complimentary snacks and refreshments.

DC Public Library: Participants added their handprints on a banner to show their commitment to social justice, and received kits to make leaf mobiles at home.

Edlavitch DC JCC: Co-hosts of Sukkah City x DC, EDCJCC offerred participants two activities: creating windsocks to hang in their sukkah at home and a letter writing campaign to end homelessness.

Museum of the Bible: Visitors to MoB’s table copmleted a trivia challenge about the traditions of Sukkot and the story of Ushpizin.

PJ Library: Hosted two storytime sessions related to the holiday, and provided each family with a book to take home.

Project Create: Hosted an art workshop in which participants decorated puzzle pieces.
We can honor each individual and reinforce that they are an important part of the community through this opportunity to express kindness and compassion towards others, one puzzle piece at a time.

Hillel Smith: Graphic desinger and artist, Smith, was commissioned to design custom chalk murals featuring CJM’s logo and synagogue to illustrate the short, two block walk between CJM and NBM.

Sixth and I: Rabbi Nora Feinstein gave the invocation and the waving of the lulav.

Jessica Valoris: An interdisciplinary artist and community facilitator, Valoris took inspiration from the tradition of the mezuzah and asked participants to write down their sacred affirmations for their community, then sewed each message into the canvas.
“The doorpost is the dividing line between the swirl of the outside world and the sanctity and safe haven of home.” -JoAnn Abraham

Yachad: Hosted a table about healthy homes, provided props to discuss building houses and what extra steps it takes to make a home a safe and healthy place to live.
Sukkahs are temporary shelters, but aren’t necessarily good homes because they don’t have a fully covered roof. What are ways that you can make your home healthier?