A congregation of equality, diversity and creativity, [Temple Micah] founded a home to experiment with their faith and repair the world…Years later [it] has become one of America’s most influential Reform synagogues.
Founded in 1963 as the Southwest Hebrew Congregation, our congregation initially occupied temporary spaces near the waterfront area in Southwest DC. We affiliated with the Reform movement in 1965; the following year, we began what became a 28-year space-sharing arrangement with St. Augustine’s Episcopal Church.
In 1968 we adopted the name Temple Micah to reflect the prophet Micah’s vision: “And what does Adonai require of you? To do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with your God.” (Micah 6:8)
Temple Micah’s rapid growth in membership eventually led to the decision to seek new space, and we found a new home in Northwest DC. We dedicated our new building in September 1995. Today Temple Micah is home to about 650 member families.
The Living History Project tells the story and history of our temple – our people, our distinctive ways, and our place in the life of our city – through videos, pictures, charts, and the written word.
Our ner tamid (eternal lamp) is an 1862 memorial lamp from Israel
We are honored to read regularly from two Czech Torah scrolls that were preserved by Prague’s Jewish community during the 1940s, and are on loan from the Memorial Scrolls Trust. Click here to learn more information about these scrolls and their history.