Hawzah News agency-More than 100 Jewish and Muslim volunteers are expected to return to a struggling Detroit elementary school for the second annual Mitzvah Makeover School Fix-Up. They will help Nolan Elementary-Middle School students and parents paint murals, clean debris, prepare classrooms and complete a reorganization of a long-neglected library.

The event grew out of the long-running Mitzvah Day, in which Muslims have joined Jews for several years on Christmas to serve food to the homeless or elderly, provide toys for needy children and take on other tasks while Christians celebrate their holiday. These days, about 1,000 volunteers take part at dozens of sites in southeastern Michigan.

The Michigan Muslim Community Council and the Jewish Community Relations Council/American Jewish Committee organize the projects. Jewish council Executive Director David Kurzmann said it’s powerful to come together and break down stereotypes that the communities “don’t see eye to eye.”

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