headline commented on my mood: "Berlin's Environmentalists Between Despair

And Defiance". This month referendum about the ownership of the city's

electric grid was rejected. The idea was to force the city's government to

re-buy the grid that was privatised almost 20 years ago. A great idea

actually since grid ownership comes with guaranteed returns. and the

possibility t Along with a strong municipal utility it would have been

possible to create a decentralised, ecologic power system under democratic

control and with social responsibility. The referendum failed not because

people were against it (83% voted in favour) but because the turnout of

voters was a tiny bit too low to be valid. I am depressed and sad not so

much because politicans did go out of their way to assure this outcome (it

would have been so much cheaper to just hold the referendum six weeks

earlier, together with general elections) – I do not expect much from them

anyway. But the fact that people- no matter what their opinion on the

actual matter is- allow government to overrule the sovereign in such an

sleesy act makes me furious and truly wonder if I live in the right place.

The fact that I had to find out later that people I know did not cast

their vote made it a personal failure. And phrases like "We showed how

much we want to be involved; they cannot ignore the will of that many

voters" just cannot help me over the fact that I am not an effective

advocate for democracy as I wish to be. Difinance and despair.



Fortunately also good things happend this month. The 17th November was

Mitzvah-Day. Originally an initiative coming from the UK, it was the

second year to attempt it in Germany. While last year we took baby steps,

this year overwhelming 2000 activist of 50 Jewish organisations engaged in

120 events. One could argue the sence and effectiveness of putting effords

to promote good deeds on ONE day. However, it certainly does create Jewish

identity and maybe changes the preception a of non-Jews.



Jews Go Green removed stinging nettles from a public playground. We

planted berries, plant tipis and perennial herbs. All this took place in

the neighbourhood my grandmother grew up in, in a street I walk every day.

And just 50 meters from where the old freight depot used to be. Over 30000

Jews got deported from there. While I was digging the ground wearing a

bright green shirt with a Magen David on it I felt liberated. Just being

there doing a little to improve someones life and openly identifying

myself as Jewish. There where no discussions about identity, religion or

politics; without facing my very favorit questions: Where are you from?

When are you going back? It was just being there.



Tonight we lit the first Hanukkah candle. Yarden and I made a huge

Hanukkiah out of old milk cartons and we put it on our roof top terrace.

It has been long since I last lit a Hanukkiah that people can actually see

from outside. I feel that sometime between Mitzvah-Day and the first night

of Hanukkah, almost ten years after deciding to stay in Germany, I arrived

home.



Happy Hanukkah!

reception and head out for the beach. The sky turns purple and pink while

the waves and the sand dig my feet deep into the ground. It has been so

very long! I decide to take a walk to rediscover Tel Aviv. After all it

will only be a few hours until the rest of the delegation will arrive.



The Yemenite Quarter has been changing. Crazy all this construction work.

The shuk is still closed up but when I close my eyes I can smell the

spices and hear the chattering well hidden in my memory. I dander down

King George and finally reach Rabin Square. In one week it will be filled

with people demonstrating for peace – and democracy! I came here to

understand how the youth movement of Israel managed to pull together, to

unite from secular to religious from right to left winged everyone to

participate in this statement…



The next day: a visit at Moreshet in Kibbutz Givat Haviva. Ofer, a Young

guide from HaShomer HaTzair tells of Jewish Resistance fighters in the

Shoa. I did not realise it before, but I had missed for this place and

longed for an educator like Ofer. A place of remembrance dedicated to

young women and men who stood up to fight, even when it seemed hopeless.

The biographies chosen are diffrent from one another. However, he does not

fail to combine it in one message: By taking a stand and reclaiming the

power over your own fate you are reestablishing your dignity! And who has

not heard about the uprising in the ghettos and camps. However, to draw

from here a line to the imperative of acting on issues that our society or

the world as a whole faces today, it's genius! And the fact HaShomer

HaTzair has grown as a movement ever since they started educating

youngsters about the roots of the Israeli youth movement proves that. I

feel I have been taken to the youth movements Masada.



A few days later I stand once more, this time with my with my colleagues,

on Rabin Squere. Our guide Nadav (Dror), has a raspy voice. It is hard to

know whether it is because of all the talking or if he is shaken by his

emotions. He shares his memories of that fateful day in November 1995 when

not only Rabin was assassinated but also a generation's hope for a life in

peace was murdered. His question: "What did we do wrong – as a society -

as youth – personally?"



In the center of the square is a tent. Yair (HaShomer HaTzair) tells us

that it is one of 20 that hold an exhibition about democracy in Israel. He

explains a little about how demonstrating for peace became an emty phrase,

and how it is necessary to educate people about the development of

democracy in Israel. Prior to the rally the entire youth movement pulled

together to write a booklet on democracy education. Mike, from the German

Hiking Youth, summarises the day: "And we praise ourselves about having

political discussions when stuck on issues like plastic bags…"



And the cutting.edge political discussions continue. On Friday we visit

Kibbutz Niran in the Jordan valley, an illegal settlement under

international law. We discus tons of heavy topics: several peace plans,

the role of settlements, taxation of Israeli and Palestinian products,

boycot of settlement products, the situation of refugees… As everyone

pours what they have seen and experienced over the last days into the

discussion also my emotions are on a roller coaster: sad and angry, amazed

and uplifted, confused and hopeful. What sticks with me: Barak made it

more than clear that he will leave this place if there is a chance for

peace. So overall: hopeful.



Saturday night. The delegation split up. Most are now on their way home. I

walk down Arloserow street and wonder when or if I have seen this many

buses parked one one spot. People are pouring on the square from all

directions. I curse myself for my bad Hebrew skills. If only I understood

the speeches given! Nevertheless, it feels good to be here. I still do not

quite understand how it is possible that all the youth movement joins to

this event which is so clearly a left-winged domain. However, what I did

understand is that apart from this event youth movements join together to

empower young people. Soon to be launched: a school-project with a common

curriculum to motivate people to take responsibility in society. And I am

so glad I am German. Because German government highly subsidises youth

exchanges with Israel. I will have the chance to bring many people here to

witness this amazing side of eclectic country.



My last day in the holy land I spend with my old friend Buzi in Sde Boker

in the middle of the Negev. He is the best person with whom to reflect on

youth movements, Israel – and pretty much anything- because he has this

amazing gift of putting things new perspectives. So we stand at Gurion's

grave and watch how the sun colouring the sky pink and purple. The morning

dew dampens my hair and the silence of the desert sourrounding us makes my

heart sing. Right now all I know: Everything will be all right.

I love Sukkot as well. The great outdoors taking us out of our comfort zone (especially those of us who live in areas with a rough climate)! After all the soul searching of Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur Sukkot asks of us to go out in the world and engage our body: Building a sukka, gathering the harvest, waving the lulav. I think it's the best holiday to reconnect with nature. However, Sukkot is the time when I feel most out of place in the Jewish community. This grand and awfully perfect huts standing in gray backyards filled with plastic chairs and people notoriously complaining about the cold… Whatever I figured during the past few weeks on how much I care about the community and how much I want to be involved: It all fades on Sukkot.

Occasionally I am concerned that I don't provide a home that is Jewish enough to my son but then September comes and I sit somewhere in a sukka where apart from some store bought greenery on the roof the only account for nature being alive is some grass growing shamefully between the bricks on the ground. What a sad harvest festival! I realise that I do provide my son with Jewish values and knowledge the best that I can. And well, in the case of Sukkot I am certain that I do better than this. I decided that I should stop labeling myself as a bad Jew for not going to shul when that is just not me. I do what I can, just like everyone else.

In that sense I wish you all a great year. Hope to see you outdoors!

39 parties are running of which nine have a realistic chance winning seats in the national parliament. Still there is party, no candidate I really want to vote for. I do believe in the good of people and know a large number of politicians are truly striving to make a change. But I have seen it all before: So many good intentions gone terribly wrong!

I had some intense but short love-affairs with political parties. And I came to the insight that even if you have the power to do big changes – you can't. And the major reason for that is that people live in fear. Scared of loosing, scared of the unknown. But big changes require bravery. Usually whole society needs to stay brave for a long time until you can see improvement.

The first election that I vividly remember were in 1994, the first free democratic elections in South Africa. No matter how dark and bloody the days that lead up to it had been, for three days all South Africans looked at each other and said: "I hear your concerns." People weeping after they cast their vote because they felt the common humanity we all share, because they knew that everyone matters. It was a defining and liberating moment not only for the long oppressed but also for the white minority. It was the days where a society decided to no longer be guided by fear but to just go out and do it together.

I was ten years then. And with no doubt, this time was the most profound, the most spiritual time of my life; kind of hoped that this is how it is every time you go to vote…

Now, I try to recreate this moment by trying to make elections meaningful, by raising issues that I feel should not only unite us as humans but set us free: A post-growth-economy.

The capitalist ideas have been working out great – for some. But too many people are left behind, the environment is being destroyed and so it the bases of a good life for our children. We all know: Growth cannot be infinite. Our planet can only supply a limited number of resources. More and more just does not work! Nevertheless, again and again economists and politicians babble about it. And with this hoax justification they burn money when socialising risks while profits keep private. A Green New Deal can, at most, be a transition to different to a truly sustainable economic system because it does not change the iniquitous game.

The great news is: Also if good public services, fair payment, and social security are matters that will not be tackled sufficiently in the near future, you are not powerless here!

By reclaiming power of where your money goes you are taking influence on the system! Realising what you really need and want, saving some money on the one hand, having something left to actually support initiatives you want your money to go to; it is really rather simple!

There are 1000 more things you can do! Some measures that I take to get you cracking: Grow your own food! Not only it will supply you and your loved ones with healthy and save nourishment but the exercise will improve your health, it frees your mind, your children will learn about the cycle and you can make an impact by growing crop that are less in use and help to protect them from being extinct. Also I am part of a foodsharing community where stores as well as private people give away food they do not need anymore instead of throwing it. The most vivid part of it is the food-cycle in the apartment building where I live. All the families here manage and share their left overs together. Ask for help when you need it. I keep most of my tools not at home but at a community centre, for everyone to borrow. Things that I like to keep at home but do not use on a daily base I enter on a sharing website. Couchsurfing is an important part of my life as well. It is great because I have a home wherever I go and I can travel without leaving my home.

There are many systems of sharing things and labour out there. They all have one thing in common. To participate you need to loose your fear. Do not be scared of loosing what you have and that people who might take advantage of you. You need to open up and allow strangers to get close to you. When we see each other and hear each other out elections could be a celebration of our common humanity.

So when I arrived back to Berlin I started researching on Judaism an d environmental issues. And I realised: Every religious Jew MUST be a dedicated environmentalist!

The reality in the community of course was and is something completely different. People got very defensive and angry when confronted with small issues like the obscene use of plastic dishes. I felt rejected. It was not that I had suggested raising pigs in the synagogue's backyard to reuse food waste – and yet, the reaction could have been worse. Even people who were kind of open to the subject seemed to think that it is enough buying yourself out of any responsibility by donating money for trees in Israel on Tu Bi'Shevat. Eventually I made peace with the fact that there is plenty of room for environmentalist action – but not within the congregation.

In 2012 we hosted a couchsurfer. David, a guy from the states visiting Berlin on a layover from Israel to New York. "What did you do in Israel?" "Attend an environmental conference." Oy, how much I love couchsurfing! Talking to him I realised that I still really long for some environmental action in the Jewish community and that I needed to take action. So my mind was set. However, I didn't exactly burst into activity until an invitation to a Sukkot celebration landed in my inbox. One of the hosts: an organisation called Jews Go Green. I was gasping for breath. Why have I never heard of them? Turns out that someone at the Central Council of Jews in Germany decided that there should be a Jewish environmental movement in Germany. So the task of establishing this was dropped on one young employee. Mazal Tov! So now this young woman, Agata Kaplon, struggles to raise awareness of water and waste issues in the sukka. yey!

And what a match made in heaven we are! Agata is involved in Jewish networks and knows how is how in the community while I can ship in with environmental expertise and contacts in that area. So now, 10 month later, Jews Go Green conducted several events including tree planting, ecologic and fair trade brunches and dinners, a storytelling workshop and a movie night. We have a growing number of activists and supporters, a road to follow and love in our hearts.

So this are the upcoming events of Jews Go Green:

Aug 11-14th: Leadership Training, Kaufungen

Aug 29th: Honey Harvest and Bee-Talk, Berlin

Sep ?: Planting Action, Berlin

Nov 17th: Mitzvah Day, all over (for more information visit:http://www.mitzvah-day.de/)