Our congregation began its close relationship with Vare-Washington Elementary School (at 5th and Federal Streets) in 2006. Over the past 20 years, we have tutored students, run book drives, developed an after-school photography program, led a biweekly library program, created a multi-pronged food assistance program to support school families, and organized annual holiday mitzvah projects that have provided hundreds of coats, scarves, hats, and gloves for students from kindergarten to eighth grade and thousands of dollars in gift cards for families to purchase essentials.
In 2025, we expanded our work with schools to include the John Taggart School at 5th and Porter Streets. To join our group of committed volunteers or to find out more information about opportunities to support our neighbors – both schools are close to the synagogue – please reach out to our Public School Volunteer Co-Chairs, Diane Harrison or Flora Wolf, at varewashington(at)societyhillsynagogue.org.
