An important aspect of Yachad's mission is to create opportunities for the Jewish community to learn more about affordable housing and community development.

                                                 What?

Yachad provides speakers for synagogue social action events to discuss the goals and benefits of community development projects. More formal Yachad-sponsored conferences of opinion leaders from various Jewish organizations have advocated community development as part of a social action agenda, and have offered practical advice for moving from good intentions into real action.

                                                Programs

The Tikkun Olam Breakfast/Lunch Series is an opportunity for Jewish real estate professionals to gather to discuss various topics of interest related to the building industry. In early 2005, Marc Gunther, Senior Writer at Fortune Magazine, kicked off the series with a talk about the success of companies that engage in philanthropic work as a way to "do well" while "doing good." In the spring of that year, Bambi Tran, an architect specializing in "green" design, was our featured speaker. The January 2005 breakfast focused on New Market Tax Credits, and in January 2007, the focus was on housing and care that promote aging in place and independent living.  To be added to the invitation list for Tikkun Olam Series events, contact us at info@yachad-dc.org.

                                            

Yachad has developed several educational programs to reinforce and inspire the spirit of community involvement among Jewish youth. These include two curricula.  One for religious school teachers to use in the classroom during Sukkot.  It gives younger children the opportunity to reflect on the need for safe, affordable housing for everyone.

 

The second is taught during Ramp it Up-with Yachad, a week-long summer program for Jewish teens ages 15 and up. Participants spend most of the day building an access ramp for a lower-income Washington area homeowner with disabilities. They also spend part of the day engaging in learning about the housing and other needs of people with disabilities and the Jewish values underlying the Jewish community’s commitment to

tikkun olam. Click here to learn more about the Ramp it Up! program.