Expansion and renovation plans to unite Temple Micah under one roof.

One Community

For 40 years Temple Micah has built a community vibrantly connected to Jewish life. The beautiful building reflects this link to fundamental Jewish values. Modest in scope, substantial in construction, rich with symbolic meaning—with references to first- and second-century synagogues, Jewish numerology, and 20th century modernism—it is a welcoming place of warmth and centeredness.

But the walls no longer accommodate needs of our thriving community. Since moving to Wisconsin Avenue in 1995, Temple Micah’s congregation has nearly doubled from 220 to 430 households. Lack of space has forced both children and adults in different directions for study in rented classrooms. Social facilities are inadequate for celebrating many life-cycle events. And the staff lacks offices to conduct the Temple’s functioning efficiently and confidentially.

Need to Reconnect

At its heart, Temple Micah’s building unites three houses under one roof: Beit Tefila, a house of prayer; Beit Sefer, a house of study; and Beit Knesset, a house of community.

Proposed renovations respond to the strain on facilities, while thoughtfully expanding or reconfiguring all three houses, so that all generations can worship together, study together, and celebrate the spiritual moments of life’s passage together as one community.

Connecting the New and Existing Building

The quality and durability that characterize the original structure will extend to new construction. With both plans created by the same architects, members Robert Weinstein and Judith Capen, the expansion will continue the traditions of design integrity and use of honest materials established a decade ago.

(NEW) You can see pictorial representations of the new front and rear along with a short description of the changes.

Here’s how the connections will work:

House of Study

• A new wing on the north side will contain eight flexible new classrooms grouped around a courtyard and doubling spaces for programs.  Proposed ground floor plan.
  
• A permanent library next to the sanctuary will provide more convenient access and greater comfort.  Proposed first floor plan.

House of Prayer

• The sanctuary will remain the same except a new door will be added to the north west corner of the space.  This door will match the door on the ne corner of the space and both will connect to the north addition and serve as fire exists.
  

House of Community

• Classroom doors on the ground level will fold back to double usable space in the social hall, adaptable for small gatherings or larger member events and adequate for the first time to host regional meetings of Jewish youth and other groups.  Proposed ground floor plan.
  
• A glass-enclosed, two-story courtyard next to the social hall will direct natural light into the space, maintaining its sense of openness and connection to the outdoors.
• The first floor galleria will be opened up with a glass wall on the adjacent board room, creating a more inviting place for members to welcome Shabbat.  Proposed first floor plan.
  

Administrative Space

• Expanded office space on the south side above the parking lot will ease staff crowding and provide a place for the new assistant rabbi.  Proposed first floor plan.
  
• Much-needed storage will increase four fold, allowing the Temple to buy supplies in bulk.

Connections to the Future

To carry out Temple Micah’s mission of spiritual fulfillment, intellectual challenge, and participation in Jewish communal life for all members, we must again come together to meet these challenges.

The renovations will resolve pressing space problems while reconnecting the houses of prayer, study, and community so that the congregation can remain together as one inclusive community.

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