Jewcology » Events

Free Eco Israel Birthright Trip with URJ Kesher

URJ Kesher — Mon, 01 Jun 2015 10:00:00 +0000

This June 1-11 join Taglit-Birthright Israel and URJ Kesher on a unique program. The Eco Israel bus will explore and discover, up-close, the remarkable variety of environmental initiatives in Israel, through the lens of ecology and environment WITHOUT missing out on all of the highlights of a classic URJ Kesher Birthright tour. During the tour, the group will visit four main regions in Israel: North, Centre, Jerusalem, and South. In each region, you will encounter local community members, and will gain hands-on experience volunteering with local Israeli activists who are working on unique projects that focus on four elements: agriculture, nature, community, and sustainability. Apply now!

Hazon Philadelphia’s Ride the Pines

leah.lazer@hazon.org — Sun, 31 May 2015 08:00:00 +0000

We are excited to announce Hazon Philadelphia’s Ride the Pines – Sunday, May 31st, at the JCC Camps in Medford, NJ. Ride the Pines is a fully-supported bike ride and community experience for people of all cycling levels and ages, bringing together organizations like ours from across the Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey Jewish communities.

Join friends for routes through pine forests, farmland, and local villages, culminating in a barbecue lunch of kosher, pasture-raised meat from Grow and Behold, followed by an interactive marketplace of local, sustainable vendors, swimming and boating, children’s programming from Teva, and more! Your participation supports Hazon Philadelphia in running innovative Jewish programming on food, health, and sustainability.

Not a cyclist? The Ride wouldn’t be possible without our dedicated crew, who support and cheer on riders, help behind the scenes, and then enjoy the lunch and afternoon with their rider friends. Registration sold out last year, so sign up today! hazon.org/phillybike

From Uncertainty to Action: What You Can Do About Climate Change

Owner of Ma'yan Tikvah - A Wellspring of Hope — Sun, 17 May 2015 15:00:00 +0000

The Jewish Climate Action Network (JCAN) is sponsoring its first conference, a time for community members from across New England concerned about climate change to come together. The conference will focus on a Jewish response to climate change, ideas for action, and how climate change is fundamentally a social justice issue. It will provide organized opportunities to connect with others interested in working together.

Summery of the conference:

Panel exploring what Judaism adds to our understanding and ability to respond to climate change
Two rounds of workshops, each of which will provide concrete information about a specific way to respond to the threat of climate change and to connect with others
Opportunity to speak with community organizations and businesses involved in environmental work
Special workshop for teens and tweens
Short wrap-up program highlighting what has been accomplished and providing a send off
Facilitation of informal gatherings for dinner at nearby restaurants those who want to continue the conversations.

A schedule and descriptions of workshops and bios of workshop leaders can be found at http://www.jewishclimate.org/may-2015-conference.html

When: Sunday, May 17, 3-7 PM

Where: Hebrew College, Herrick Road, Newton
Registration: https://secure.hebrewcollege.edu/form/uncertainty-action-what-you-can-do-about-climate-change

Cost: $18 donation (optional); students are free.

Co-sponsors include: Hebrew College, Center for Global Judaism, Hazon, LimmudBoston, Shomrei Bereshit: Rabbis and Cantors for the Earth, and others.

Leading US Animal Rights Activist Visiting Israel to Tell How His Holocaust Experiences Shaped His Activism

Richard Schwartz — Wed, 29 Apr 2015 17:14:10 +0000

Alex Hershaft, Ph.D., is coming to Israel from May 2 to May 13 to explain how his experiences in the Warsaw ghetto was a major factor in his becoming a leading animal rights activist. With the theme, “From surviving the Warsaw Ghetto to co-founding the U.S. Animal Rights movement,”Dr. Hershaft will be giving several talks and will meet with Jewish and Arab animal rights activists.

In his lectures, Hershaft will discuss how dealing with the trauma and grief over the loss of his family during the Holocaust shaped his values and outlook on life, and increased his sense of compassion. When his life was no longer in danger, he felt guilty that he survived when so many others had perished. He felt that in response to his miraculous survival, he should devote himself to repaying a debt to society by devoting his life to helping the helpless and to working to reduce the evil in the world. After visiting a slaughterhouse where he saw piles of hooves, skins, hearts, livers, and skulls that he felt bore silent witness to evil, he became a vegetarian. (and later a vegan) He felt that the challenging mandate, ‘never again’ should apply to animals as well as people.

With a Ph.D. in chemistry, Hershaft could have had a career that would have provided him with a comfortable life. But he gave that up to devote his life to ending the mistreatment of farmed animals. He founded the Farm Animal Reform Movement (FARM), which later became the Farm Animal Rights Movement. The group has many activities, including an annual Animal Rights National Conference that now attracts almost 1,500 attendees to hear leading animal rights activists and to visit booths that provide much information about other animal rights and vegetarian groups as well as information about the latest vegan products, books, and videos. Since their beginning in 1976 and official formation in 1981, FARM has launched a variety of grassroots campaigns in pursuit of their mission: World Day for Farmed Animals , Great American Meatout, Gentle Thanksgiving, 10 Billion Lives Tour , Letters from FARM, Sabina Fund, Vegan Earth Day, Meatout Mondays, and Live Vegan.

Alex is a former member of the Board of Directors of Jewish Vegetarians of North Americans and remains involved as a member of JVNA’s Advisory Council. JVNA is working with him in setting up talks in the US about how his Holocaust experiences contributed to his becoming an animal rights activist.

Alex’s schedule includes lectures at Hebrew University in Jerusalem, Tel-Aviv University, Ben Gurion University in Beersheba, and a civic center in Haifa, a half-dozen intense seminars for local activists, and private meetings with distinguished Israelis.

My activities in Israel to increase awareness about climate threats and veg diets

Richard Schwartz — Sun, 26 Apr 2015 20:08:38 +0000

Below is the April 24 Jerusalem Post ‘In Jerusalem’ article about my vegetarian/vegan activities in Israel followed by my Times of Israel blog with links to YouTube videos of my talks, interviews, and other veg activities there. Kol tuv, Richard ==== Apocalypse Cow Jerusalem Post article [In Jerusalem section] April 24, 2015 By Gavriel Fiske [Corrections in brackets [ ]] Reducing meat consumption could help avert a global disaster, according to Jewish vegetarian activist Richard Schwartz Octogenarian vegetarianism activist Richard Schwartz, an Orthodox Jew from Staten Island, New York, has for decades explored the connection between Judaism and vegetarian/vegan diets. He used his position as president of the Jewish Vegetarian Society of North America to promote the idea that, contrary to what one might experience at the table of a typical Jewish household on Shabbat or holidays, Jewish values and religious law can actually condone a meat-free diet. Now 81 and retired from his day job as a mathematics professor at the College of Staten Island and running the day-to-day operations of the Jewish Vegetarian Society, Schwartz, on a recent visit to Israel, told In Jerusalem that his focus has now turned to educating on how vegetarianism can help avert what he warned could be an impending environmental catastrophe caused by human-driven climate change. “Climate experts are predicting that everything has become hotter and drier,” Schwartz pointed out, and said that record heat waves and droughts, along with crazy weather all over the world, have become a new kind of normal. These weather changes are caused by accumulated greenhouse gases in the atmosphere; but what most people don’t realize, Schwartz said, is that “animal-based agriculture creates more greenhouse gases than is emitted by all the cars and airplanes and all other means of transportation worldwide combined.” [according to the 2006 UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) report, “Livestock’s Long Shadow.”] “Greenhouse gases” is a catchall term for any gas that contributes to the greenhouse effect. According to reports cited by Schwartz, who recited from memory a dizzying number of studies and statistics to make his case, the gas produced by animal production – methane – stays in the atmosphere for only about 20 years. This means that if meat consumption could be reduced, the main greenhouse gas affecting global warming could also be reduced relatively quickly. Raising animals for food is also inefficient, he stressed, noting that “at a time when water is a precious commodity, it takes 14 times as much water to raise an animal than to raise [the equivalent amount of] plant food.” [Methane is not the main greenhouse gas (CO2 is), but it is significant because, during the 20 years it is in the atmosphere, it is 72-105 (depending on the number’s source) as potent per molecule as CO2.] [Also, the correct statement above is that the amount of water per person on an animal-based diet is as much as 14 times as much as for a person on a vegan diet.] Judaism, he maintained, has very strong teachings in regard to showing compassion for and proper treatment of animals, which he has cited and documented extensively during his career. Although it is “utopian” to think that every Jewish person will become a vegetarian, if people could cut back on eating meat for a few days every week, it could have a great effect. “I am basically arguing that Jews have a choice, and that choice should be made in light of Jewish values towards animal compassion,” he said. [I mentioned not only animal compassion, but also other Jewish teachings that should be considered in making dietary choices: preserving human health, protecting the environment, conserving natural resources, helping hungry people, and pursuing peace.] Although his focus is on Jews and vegetarianism, Schwartz has also been involved in interfaith efforts to highlight the religious roots of vegetarianism. Schwartz, an ardent Zionist, stressed that if one feels that climate change is an issue, one has to do something about it. “I just feel that there is an existential threat to Israel and to the whole world that is being overlooked, and diet changes can make a big difference,” he said. He also noted that “military experts think this could be a catalyst for violence, terror… a multiplier effect with refugees fleeing from climate change.” Of course, not everyone agrees with such dire predictions, and the debate on climate change, especially in the United States, is a fraught, politicized issue. However, Schwartz dismisses outright those who doubt the potential for environmental disaster, and notes that “97 percent of climate scientists and 99.9% of peer-reviewed papers on issue in respected scientific journals argue that climate change is real, is largely caused by human activities and poses great threats to humanity.” During his visit in Israel, Schwartz gave several lectures, and he filmed and uploaded to YouTube interviews with a number of experts, academics, politicians, activists and rabbis, including the director of the Arava Institute for Environmental Studies. “Pretty much everyone agrees that climate change is an existential threat,” Schwartz said. Israel, although it has a very high per-capita meat consumption, is also “a leader in terms of veganism and laws about animal compassion,” he noted, and called the country the “greatest place for activism.” Schwartz also praised the recent changes in the Knesset building, which have made it one of the “greenest” parliament buildings in the world. He also noted that Israel has banned the production and import of foie gras, a delicacy of engorged goose liver produced by force feeding the geese. In fact, Schwartz, who has two daughters and their families living in Israel, is now, along with his wife, “very seriously considering making aliya” and relocating to the Holy Land. “I am hoping to stay active, and there is no better place than in Israel and Jerusalem,” he said. But it might not be so easy. Besides the challenge of moving “after 55 years [actually 47] on Staten Island,” when he recently visited a senior citizens’ center in Israel to see if it would be suitable, the “incredulous workers” showed him a lunch menu that offered only chicken or hamburgers, which he described as “madness and sheer insanity.• ======== Material below about my veg events in Israel, including a link to my Times of Israel blog giving links to You Tube videos of my talks, interviews, and other activities in Israel As indicated in my Times of Israel blog (link below), I just returned from Israel where I made extensive efforts to increase awareness that climate change is an existential threat to Israel, the US, and indeed the entire world, and that a shift away from the production and consumption of meat is essential to efforts to avert a climate catastrophe. I gave 8 talks (5 of which are on YouTube), was interviewed 4 times, twice on radio programs, and I filmed interviews with many leading Israelis, all of which are now on YouTube. The key Israelis who I interviewed include the director of the Green Knesset program, the founder and director of EcoPeace/Middle East, the founder and director of the Interfaith Center for Sustainable Development, the former chief rabbi of Ireland, the director and students, faculty, and staff of the Arava Institute for Environmental Studies, an institute that has Israeli, Palestinian, Jordanian, and international students, some leading Israeli rabbis, a former member of the Israeli Knesset, the coordinator of the Jewish Vegetarian Society in Jerusalem, and two leading animal rights activists. Here is the link to the blog with links to my talks, interviews, and other activities in Israel: http://blogs.timesofisrael.com/my-efforts-in-israel-to-increase-awareness-of-the-need-for-efforts-to-avert-a-climate-catastrophe/ Please let me know if you would like any further information about this. Thanks, and best wishes, Richard (Schwartz)

Tu B’Shvat Blessing for Shmita

Rabbi David Seidenberg — Sun, 01 Feb 2015 19:59:02 +0000

Here’s a beautiful blessing for the Shmita year at your Tu Bishvat seder or at any meal this whole Sabbatical year:

“May the merciful One turn our hearts toward the land,
so that we may dwell together with her in her sabbath-rest the whole year of Shmita.”

Harachaman hu yashiv libeinu el ha’aretz
l’ma’an neisheiv yachad imah b’shovtah, kol sh’nat hash’mitah!

הָרַחֲמָן הוּא יָשִיב לִבֵּינוּ אֶל הָאָרֶץ לְמַעַן נֵשֵב יָחַד עִמָהּ בְּשָׁבְתהּ, כָּל שְׁנַת הַשְׁמִיטָה

The words of this blessing were written by Rabbi David Seidenberg. Nili Simhai made it into a singable liturgy by setting the words to the “Sosne Nigun” by Jonah Adels, z”l. (Listen to the song at www.neohasid.org/resources/shmita-harachaman.)Harachaman blessings come after the main part of the blessing after the meals, and they ask for special blessings, including blessings related to Shabbat and holidays. Sing it at your Tu Bish’vat seder and at every meal this whole Shmita year!

Shmita means “release”, and the Shmita year is about release or liberation for the land, liberation between the people and the land, and liberation between people themselves. This Harachaman blessing references all three kinds of liberation, and it does that by using three different verbs that include the letters Shin ש and Bet ב. The first, yashiv, comes from the word “turn”, lashuv, לשוב, and it refers to our returning to a right relationship on a heart level with the Earth. The second, neishev, comes from “to settle” or “dwell”, lashevet, לשבת, as in shevet achim gam yachad — how good it is for brothers and sisters to dwell together, and it refers to liberation between individuals in the year of release, when debts are canceled and food is shared. The third, b’shovtah, comes from lishbot, לשבות, to rest, and it refers to the shabbat that the land itself enjoys in the Shmita year, as it says, “the land will enjoy her sabbaths”. This is the true nature of tikkun olam: tikkun, repair and restoration, on all these levels together. That is what must happen to fix the world.

You can download the PDF at neohasid.org/pdf/Shmita-Harachaman.pdf or get a PNG graphic of the blessing at neohasid.org/resources/shmita-harachaman/ (there are 8 Harachamans per page) to use at your Tu Bish’vat seder and for every meal during this Shmita year.

The words fit into the song like this:

Harachaman hu yashiv libeinu
el ha’aretz, el ha’aretz
Harachaman hu yashiv libeinu
el ha’aretz, el ha’aretz

l’ma’an neisheiv yachad imah
imah b’shovtah
neisheiv yachad imah
imah b’shovtah

kol sh’nat hash’mitah
kol sh’nat hash’mitah
kol sh’nat hash’mitah
kol sh’nat hash’mitah

Eden Village is hiring farm educator apprentices for 2015 growing season!

edenvillagefarm — Mon, 26 Jan 2015 20:03:07 +0000

Eden Village Camp is Hiring! Submit Your Application

About Eden Village Camp: Eden Village Camp aims to be a living model of a thriving, sustainable Jewish community, grounded in social responsibility and inspired Jewish spiritual life. By bringing the wisdom of our tradition to the environmental, social, and personal issues important to today’s young people, we practice a Judaism that is substantive and relevant. Through our Jewish environmental and service-learning curricula, joyful Shabbat observance, pluralistic Jewish expression, and inspiring, diverse staff role models, we foster our campers’ positive Jewish identity and genuine commitment to tikkun olam (healing the world). Our 3 acre educational farm and orchard are based on principles of permaculture, sustainable and organic farming. We produce annual vegetables, perennials, and tend educational gardens as well as animals.

About the Farm Educator Apprenticeship: This is a paid six-month apprenticeship for young adults seeking hands-on experience. In the Spring build your knowledge based on agriculture, farm-based education and Jewish community. In the Summer, work at our 8-week intensive summer camp as Jewish Farm Educators. In the fall, take ownership and integrate your new skills by diving deeper into independent projects. Live on-site at our beautiful camp, one hour north of New York City. By joining the farm staff at Eden Village, apprentices will hold two main responsibilities – tending our growing spaces and educating in our all of our programming through the spring, summer and fall. Apprentices will also have an opportunity to dive deeper into one of four focus areas: perennials, annuals, animals, and educational gardens. In these specialties apprentices will gain a deeper understanding of certain aspects of farming and will take on leadership and special projects to booster their learning and the learning of campers and program participants.

Details: April 14th, 2015 – October 22nd 2015, Apprentices receive full room and board at Eden Village, as well as a modest stipend. Extensive experience is not necessary but experiential curiosity is required. We recommend you explore our website thoroughly to get more information about our apprenticeship, farm, camp, and more at Eden Village Camp.

More questions? Explore the FAQ page. For all other questions, contact farm@edenvillagecamp.org

Hazon Food Conference

Aaron Silver — Mon, 29 Dec 2014 00:00:00 +0000

Join the thinkers and doers of the Jewish Food Movement to explore and experience a new angle on food.

4 days of kosher farm-to-table food in a pluralistic Jewish community and a rockin’ New Year’s Eve “Butterfly Masquerade” party
Rabbis and leaders in Jewish thought bringing to life history, ethics, Jewish text, meaningful prayer, and more
Expert cooking demonstrations and hands-on learning with renowned chefs
Homesteading workshops with farmers and city folk for backyard chickens and beekeeping
Conversations and take-home resources about food justice that will engage you in questions such as: How do poultry and pollinators affect what we eat, and how does what we eat affect them? What governmental policies are supporting or detracting from our ability to uphold our food values? And how does being Jewish fit into all these foodie issues? Learn from the experts and you will never look at eggs, bees, or food prices the same way again!

Lights for Lima NYC Vigil on December 7, 2014

Mirele Goldsmith — Sun, 07 Dec 2014 16:00:00 +0000

CALL FOR STRONG ACTION BY WORLD GOVERNMENTS ON CLIMATE CHANGE
VOICES OF FAITH CANDLELIGHT VIGIL
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 7 at 4:00 PM
UNION SQUARE
Vigils will be taking place in Washington, London, Sydney, and around the world.Learn More.

World leaders will be meeting in Lima, Peru, on December 1-12, for the UN Climate Change Conference (COP20/CMP10). They’ll be working to establish the fundamentals of a strong, global agreement to reduce greenhouse gas emissions – an agreement that we hope will then be finalized in Paris in 2015. These leaders need to know that we’re holding their work in our thoughts, meditations and prayers. As they start their work, join us in a vigil calling for meaningful progress toward a world safe from climate change.

Please send a representative to light a candle on behalf of your community or congregation. The candle is a symbol of hope that the negotiations in Lima will be carried out in a spirit of love, compassion, and caring. To sign up to represent your faith community, please contact n.lorence2013@gmail.com andcatherineskopic@yahoo.com

Spread the word on facebook and announce this vigil in your newsletter and at your services.

Vigil on December 7, 2014 at 4:00 pm in Union Square

R&R Shabbat at the JCC

rklein — Sat, 06 Dec 2014 14:00:00 +0000

R & R: Shabbat at The JCC is an antidote to our 24/7 lifestyle. Make your Shabbat afternoon special and share in our community with workshops in art, yoga, meditation, food, music, study sessions, film, performances, creative art projects, spa experiences, and indoor and outdoor play. Enjoy programs for both children and adults. R&R is an amazing weekly opportunity to be together as a family and as a community; it’s an incredible alternative to the typical New York Saturday and it is our gift to you. Join us for programs that respect all levels of observance. Come in from the ordinary and experience Shabbat. It’s an ancient solution to a modern dilemma, so priceless we’ve made it free.

The MAP: Sukkot (and Shmita) Resources and Events

Rabbi David Seidenberg — Fri, 03 Oct 2014 16:13:01 +0000

SUKKOT AND SHMITA RESOURCES AND EVENTS

contributed by all the organizations and initiatives on “the Map” http://jewcology.org/map-of-initiatives/

Here’s a quick bit of Sukkot Torah to start us off: “The four species of the lulav represent the four types of ecosystems in the land of Israel: desert (date palm), hills (myrtle), river corridors (willow), and sh’feilah, the lowlands (etrog). Each species has to be fresh, with the very tips intact – they can’t be dried out, because they hold the water of last year’s rain. Together, they make a kind of map of last year’s rainfall, and together, we use them to pray for next year’s rains.” I hope everyone enjoys the wonderful array of activities and ideas we are generating. We are a strong and beautiful network. Please add more to this list if you like: write to rebduvid86@gmail.com and I’ll update this page. I will also be updating the format and fixing the fonts — I don’t have time Erev Yom Kippur to do more than simply share this content. Thank you to everyone who shared, and g’mar chatimah tovah! Rabbi David Seidenberg, neohasid.org

Resources

from Judith Belasco, Hazon

http://hazon.org/educational-resources/holidays/sukkot/ Hazon also has an incredible array of resources on Shmita linked at: http://hazon.org/shmita-project/educational-resources/resource-library/

from the Religious Action Center

“Eco-Friendly Sukkot” http://resources.rj.org/Articles/index.cfm?id=1369

“Table Texts about Food Justice” http://rac.org/pdf/index.cfm?id=23602

from Max Arad and Rabbi Carol Levithan, The Rabbinical Assembly

“The Sukkah as Shelter: A Source Sheet” http://www.rabbinicalassembly.org/sites/default/files/public/jewish-law/holidays/sukkot/sukkah-as-shelter.pdf See also: http://www.rabbinicalassembly.org/jewish-law/holidays/sukkot

from Jeffrey Cohan, Jewish Vegetarians of North America

“Sukkot, Simchat Torah, and Vegetarianism” http://www.jewishveg.com/schwartz/hlydysu.html

from Rabbi Katy Z. Allen, Ma’yan Tikvah

Ushpizin for an Ecological Sukkot by Laurie Levy https://docs.google.com/file/d/0BzF1ISt_50TyVG9lWE0zOXJpd1k/edit

from Rabbi Arthur Waskow, Shalom Center

14 articles on Sukkot at: https://theshalomcenter.org/treasury/114 including “Reb Zalman’s Prayers for the Earth on Hoshana Rabbah” and “Spread over all of us a Sukkah of shalom, salaam, paz, peace!” from Rabbi David Seidenberg, neohasid.org “How-to Build a Sukkah For Under $40” http://www.neohasid.org/sukkot/a_simple_sukkah/ more links at: http://neohasid.org/zman/sukkot/ including “Eco-Torah for Sukkot”, “Hoshanot, the Original Jewish Earth Prayers”, and “Egalitarian Ushpizin with a Prayer for the Earth”

from Canfei Nesharim via Rabbi Yonatan Neril

resources can be found at http://canfeinesharim.org/sukkot/ and on Jewcology http://jewcology.org/resources/sukkot-shemini-atzeret-resource-and-program-bank/

also from Rabbi Yonatan Neril, for Jewish Ecoseminars

http://www.jewishecoseminars.com/let-the-land-rest-lessons-from-shemita-the-sabbatical-year/

from Nati Passow, Jewish Farm School

Two resource sheets for Shmita to be posted on Jewcology – look for them on Monday before Sukkot

from Anna Hanau, Grow and Behold Foods

Recipes (meat): http://growandbeholdblog.wordpress.com/tag/sukkot/

Events

We have three big regional festival events going on, Sukkahfest, Sukkot on the Farm, and Sukkahpalooza, and lots more local events:

from Judith Belasco, Hazon/Isabella Freedman

Oct 8-Oct 12, Sukkahfest at Isabella Freedman Retreat Center http://hazon.org/calendar/sukkahfest-2014/

from Pearlstone

Oct 8-Oct 12, Sukkahpalooza http://pearlstonecenter.org/signature-programs/sukkot/

from Sarai Shapiro, Wilderness Torah

Oct 9-Oct 12, Sukkot on the Farm, Green Oak Creeks Farm, Pescadero CA http://www.wildernesstorah.org/programs/festivals/sukkot/ local events and projects:

from Hazzan Paul A. Buch, Temple Beth Israel, Pomona CA

Our synagogue will break ground during Sukkot on a 1/2 acre urban farm on our property, in cooperation with a local NGO. The farm will be fully managed by the NGO at no cost to us, and all workers are paid a living wage. The produce grown will be available for purchase to our congregation and sold at farmers markets in the area. A portion will be dedicated to those who are food insecure. Question for everyone: Do you know of any other synagogues who have dedicated their land in a similar way? Please note this is not an urban garden, but a functioning not-for-profit commercial project.

from Becky O’Brien, Boulder Hazon

Oct 6, at 5:30 pm, family sukkot program, in partnership with the south Denver JCC Oct 12, at 4:00 and 7:00 pm, screenings of “Road to Eden”, co-sponsored with the Boulder JCC Oct 16, Sukkot Mishpacha, a program for young families at a local organic farm Rabbi Julian Sinclair stopped in Denver/Boulder on his recent book tour promoting Shabbat Ha’aretz; we hosted five programs with him earlier this month. We are leading a shmita hike for local staff of Jewish organizations to help them decompress from the hectic time of the high holidays. We expect that many shmita-related programs will arise throughout the year but we don’t yet know what they will be.

from Helen Bennet, Moishe Kavod House

Fri Oct 10, Shabbat in the sukkah Tues Oct 14, Sukkot Festival dinner, co-hosted with Ganei Beantown (Leora Mallach). Moishe Kavod is planning to run a series of learning and DIY sessions on shmita starting in November, with focuses on economic justice, food and ag system, and chesed/caring community principles.

from Gail Wechsler, St. Louis Jewish Environmental Initiative (JEI)

Sun Oct 12, 4-6 PM, screening of the film “Fire Lines”, about joint Israeli and Palestinian fire fighting efforts during the Carmel fire of December 2010. The film includes environmental themes as part of the reason for the fire was overforestation of the affected area. The director, Avi Goldstein, will speak after the film. In partnership with the Jewish Community Relations Council, Webster University and the JCC.

followed by:

Sun Oct 12, 6-7:30 PM, organic potluck Sukkot dinner. In partnership with the JCC and its Garden of Eden, a community garden that grows organic fruits and vegetables to benefit the clients of the nearby Harvey Kornblum Jewish Food Pantry. Both events at the Jewish Community Center Staenberg Arts & Education Building.

from Michael Rosenzweig, Boulder JCC

We have a great event each year called Sukkot Mishpacha, where we partner with a local farm so the children and families can learn about environmental issues, do fun arts and crafts projects, and pick their own gourds. http://www.boulderjcc.org/events/2249/2014/10/14/boulder-jcc-events-calendar/sukkot-mishpacha/ Note: I have not included narrative detail in general here, but I found Rhonda Ginsberg’s description so delightful to imagine and I just didn’t think I could condense it. So here is what she wrote to me, with some minor editing:

from Rhonda Ginsberg, teacher, Carmel Academy, Greenwich CT

For Sukkot we do a 4 year rotation focusing on different aspects of the holiday. The first year of the cycle we invite the ushpizin and have the 7 species at a festive meal. The second year we look at wind with kite flying as a major activity, the third at rain and water, and the last year at stars and shade. Each exploration is done both from the Judaics side with text study and from the science/experiential side. This year we are looking at water. For the K to 3rd graders, teachers act out the story “Why Does it Rain on Sukkot”, MS. Frizzle (science teacher) comes to teach about rain & why it’s needed, then students rotate through stations that are led by 4th graders and teachers. At the stations they investigate kosher tops for pipework sukkot, create rain sticks, have various water activities & races, sing songs & learn the dance “Mayyim”. For the 5th to 8th graders, they start with an appropriate text study. Then, the 6th through 8th graders become the instructors teaching the other grades about the aspect of water that they researched and created a project for. 6th graders look at the water cycle, which they present through posters, dioramas, etc. They also perform a song and skit on the water cycle. 7th graders research water pollution – causes, effects, and possible solutions. 8th grade engineering students investigate flooding – causes, effects, how engineers have created solutions. 8th grade honors biology students investigate droughts, concentrating on trouble spots in the Western US, Israel & the Middle East, and Africa. They also look at causes, effects, & possible solutions. Then we have a Simchat Beit HaShoava – the biblical Water Libation ceremony which took place during Sukkot in Temple times, with students singing, dancing, juggling, filling pools with golden pitchers, etc.

The Book of Yonah and the People’s Climate March

Garth Silberstein — Mon, 08 Sep 2014 19:53:35 +0000

A month from now, on Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, Jews all over the world will read the book of Yonah in synagogue. The book is an appropriate selection for the day when the Torah instructs us to “afflict your souls and don’t do any labor…because on that day he will atone for you, cleansing you; of all your offenses before the Lord you will be cleansed.” (Vayikra 16:29-30) In contrast to Vayikra (the Book of Leviticus), which describes an elaborate ritual to cleanse the sanctuary of metaphysical impurity, the book of Yonah explores the sometimes tortuous processes through which individuals and societies repent of past misdeeds and change their behavior.

The book tells of the prophet Yonah’s flight from the word of God, culminating famously in the prophet’s being thrown overboard from a ship and swallowed by a large fish. After the fish vomits him up on a beach, Yonah finally accepts his prophetic mission to the people of Nineveh. The text tells us “Nineveh was a city great to God, a three-day’s walk across. Yonah set out, came one-day’s walk into the city, and declared ‘In another forty days, Nineveh will be toppled!’” (Yonah 3:3-4) Then, in perhaps the most incredible part of the story (much more surprising than the business with the fish): the people of Nineveh immediately accept Yonah’s message and declare a public fast. The king of Nineveh himself not only participates in this public mourning but issues a decree calling for real change: “let all turn from their evil ways and the violence which is in their hands. Who knows, maybe God will turn and relent, turning from his anger so that we are not destroyed?” (Ibid. 3:8-9) In the end, God does relent in response to Nineveh’s repentance, making Yonah the only prophet in the bible whose warnings of imminent destruction are heeded, and thus avoided.

On Sunday, September 21, along with about 200,000 other people, I will be participating in the People’s Climate March, a “one-day’s walk” into the heart of New York City to demand immediate action on climate change. The march has been planned to coincide with a gathering of world leaders in New York for the 2014 UN Climate Summit. I am marching because the experts agree that if we as a global society do not meaningfully cut our CO2 emissions, we can expect to see uncomfortable changes coming our way. In recent years, as a New Yorker, I have seen first-hand the devastation wreaked by extreme weather events, the frequency and severity of which are expected to increase as atmospheric CO2 levels rise. If our society continues along the path that we are on, then, if not in forty days, perhaps in forty years, or a hundred and forty, our Nineveh will be toppled. That is why we must march, to demand that our leaders stand up to the powerful economic and political interests that would have them ignore or deny the very real threat of global climate change.

I have heard people ask whether a march in the streets to demand action by political leaders is a futile exercise. If past experience is any indication, it certainly does not seem likely that the leaders gathered at the UN Climate Summit will react to the warnings of climate scientists and activists with the same alacrity exhibited by the king of Nineveh. However, I don’t think that the answer is to give up and stay home. It’s important to remember that in this story, we are not just Yonah. We are also Nineveh.

Marching to the center of the city to deliver a prophetic warning of coming destruction is only one part of the mission of the People’s Climate March. The other part is to hear the warning ourselves, and be inspired to turn back from our evil ways (to borrow a phrase from the king of Nineveh). If, on September 21, 200,000 people march through the streets carrying signs and chanting slogans, and on the 22nd, we all go home again to business as usual, it’s safe to say we will have wasted our time. But if those same 200,000 people, or even a fraction thereof, are inspired by the experience to become more active in the global climate movement and to take concrete steps to reduce their own carbon footprint (e.g., taking mass transit or biking to work instead of driving, avoiding air-travel as much as possible), then the march will have been a success, whatever decisions are or are not made that day at the UN Climate Summit

In the story of Yonah, it was only after the people declared their fast and took action themselves that the king was moved to make the fast official and legislate the changes that would save their society. If we follow in the footsteps of the people of Nineveh, changing our behavior as a society from the ground up and building an ongoing mass movement to fight climate change, then our leaders will have no choice but to follow. If that happens, then, to once again quote the king of Nineveh, “perhaps God will turn and relent, turning from his anger so that we are not destroyed.”

Yonah and the People’s Climate March

Garth Silberstein — Thu, 04 Sep 2014 16:42:50 +0000

Print books, even ebooks, are dead; but movies can still work their magic

danbloom — Sun, 31 Aug 2014 12:48:41 +0000

by Danny Bloom, CLI FI CENTRAL blogger

http://pcillu101.blogspot.com

danbloom@gmail.com

bubbie.zadie@gmail.com

LOS ANGELES — With films like “Noah” and “Into the Storm” and “Snowpiercer” — and
“Interstellar” coming in the late fall — Hollywood has seen the
handwriting on the wall and embraced climate themes in full
technicolor. Call the movies ”cli fi” or disaster thrillers,
whatever. There’s more to come in the film world.

But while Hollywood and studio marketing people (and online social
media reporters covering new film releases) have welcomed ”cli fi” into
the fold, the entrenched powers in the literary world controlled by
book editors in New York and London seem to be aloof to all this and
show little interest in the rise of the cli fi genre term.

I am not sure why, but maybe it has to do with literary critics and
book section editors feeling that literature is a ”sacred calling”
and only the all-powerful editors — as ”gatekeepers” — can decide
what’s real and what’s not in the literary world. So be it.

The more I thought about the disconnect between the literary world of
the book industry compared with the open arms in Hollywood, the more I
began to realize that the print novel is basically dead — in the
rising waters of global warming — and has little power anymore to
influence people or impact society.

The New York and London book review section editors are for the most
part just a bunch of gatekeepers
and the gatekeepers don’t seem to care about climate change. They have
their own agendas. Like
being cool and trendy and avantgarde and the like. Climate change is
apparently not on the menu at the hip restaurants where they dine in
Manhattan and London.

So I now feel that the real power of cli fi to change the world, to wake
people up lies in Hollywood and world cinema, indie cinema as well.
Print book are basically dead in the water, dinosaurs. And Hollywood
and the media covering Hollywood, much more than the
literary gatekeepers in New York and London and Washington and Los
Angeles, are getting the cli fi message much better and much more
directly than the print media gatekeepers.

A sea change is happening: Hollywood and the media covering Hollywood
have really embraced cli fi and that is where the real wake-up call
power of public awareness now lies.

Novels about climate change still will have a place in our culture but
a very limited one, and one getting smaller day by day in this digital
world of 500 channels and multiple YouTube distractions. Speculative
fiction and eco-fiction novels still find readers. Look at Margaret
Atwood; look at Barbara Kingsolver; look at Kim Stanley Robinson; look
at James Vandermeer; look at David Brin.

I’ve noticed this sea change as Hollywood directors and PR mavens have
recently become much more with it, in terms of “getting” the cli fi
message. When Time magazine did a three-page cli fi spread on summer
cli fi movies in its May 19, 2014 issue what went worldwide, I began
to notice the way the print and online media were handling the new,
mushrooming cli fi genre.

After the Time article by Lily Rothman came out, the New York Times
”Room for Debate” forum picked up the Hollywood angle for cli fi
movies, assigning academics and experts to talk about films such as
“Snowpiercer” and “Into the Storm” and the upcoming “Interstellar.”

So I came to realize that Hollywood is where cli fi can have its
biggest impact, since print novels are dead in the water (see above)
and the few that do get published by the major publishers are reviewed
only by the gatekeepers at the New York Times and the Guardian in
London.

I see a big future of cli fi movies in Hollywood. Big.

Look around in the social media world: From Time to the New York
Times, from Mashable’s Andrew Freedman to the New York Post’s Page Six
gossip column, there has been more ink about Hollywood and cli fi than
anywhere else.

The Big Six book industry is blind to cli fi. Books are dying. Few
people read anymore, on a large scale. Novels have little impact
anymore. Movies reign supreme, and this is where I see cli fi blooming
now: in Hollywood. Hollywood players get it, the Hollywood media gets
it, and books are dead and movies rule the day now. Publishers Row is
dithering. London, too.

So I am following my gut instinct and my media radar and hoping to see
cli fi genre turn into a real bonanza in the realm of Hollywood film
directors and producers and writers. There is a big future for cli fi in
Hollywood.

Movie directors get it and they want to wake up the world. And make a
little spare change along the way, sure. It’s a business. So cli fi
has found its true home not on Publishers Row in Manhattan but in
Hollywood, and just in time. And this is a good
development.

Cinema has the power to impact the world over important issues of
climate change and global warming. Novels have no such power anymore.
Print is dying, cinema is alive!

Of course, speculative fiction novels and eco-fiction novels still
have a place in our culture, and many of these novels will be adapted
as screenplays and see the light of day as popular movies, so writers
still have a role to play in all this.

As a climate activist and PR guy, I take the cli fi genre very
seriously, and I now see that Hollywood is where cli fi belongs, front
and center.

Do the math: movies reach millions. Most midlist novels reach 3,000
people, if that many.

History of the Kayamut Sustainability Circle

Owner of Kayamut: Silver Spring Sustainability Circle — Sun, 01 Jun 2014 19:10:22 +0000

Here are the eggs from some local chickens.

The Kayamut Sustainability Circle in Silver, Spring, MD was formed in 2010, and led by a team of local Torah-based Jewish environmentalists who met regularly to learn about community opportunities for environmental action.

Over three years, members met local chickens, explored invasive plants, experimented with composting, learned what’s recyclable in Montgomery County, and much, much more.

Andrew Gohn presents to Kayamut about wind power in Maryland.

We’re most proud of the work done on the Maryland Offshore Wind Power campaign, where our shared activism and concern influenced Delegate Ben Kramer to support wind power in Maryland, leading to the passage of the bill in 2013. Our activism was even mentioned in the Washington Post!

In 2014, we concluded hosting our regular events and created a new “Kayamut” listserv on YahooGroups to continue the conversation. Although Kayamut will no longer be hosting regular events, happily, the values of Torah based environmentalism are alive and well in our community. Members of the Silver Spring community are actively involved in pursuing environmental education in our schools and green solutions to our modern challenges.

Learning about invasive plants.

Just to name a few examples:

The Melvin J. Berman Hebrew Academy has solar panels and a new children’s garden, and the Jewish Primary Day School features a green team with some of our community members as participants.
On Tu b’Shevat, our community hosted quite a few local programs related to protecting the environment through a Jewish lens.
The Kemp Mill Synagogue hosted an “Earth Day” lunch last month, including a speaker about climate change.
We hope that these expressions of Torah-based environmentalism will continue to emerge and receive your support throughout our community. If you have your own ideas of how to bring it alive, we encourage you to jump in and implement them!

Lag B’Omer Night Hike.

Some files and links from our history are below.

Why we created the Sustainability Circle

Community is the Missing Piece

Eileen Kao’s presentation about recycling in Montgomery County on June 18, 2012.

Anton Goodman on Sustainability in Israel (2013)

Open dropbox folder to download audio and three photos of the event

Learning about local CSA opportunities.

Tu b’Shevat in Silver Spring (February 2012)

Mysticism and Making a Difference

Victoria Rothenberg’s presentation on Food Storage

Food Storage Presentation to the Kayamut Circle (download word document)

Reuven Walder’s Presentation on Energy Efficiency (2011)

Energy Efficiency: The Whole Home Approach

Evonne Marzouk spoke on behalf of Kayamut at a Town Hall meeting on Wind Power in November 2011

In Support of Off-Shore Wind Power in Maryland

Presentation by Anton Goodman.

Steps we can take to improve our air quality

Tips to improve local air quality (download word document)

Audio presentations on Rain Barrels (information for Montgomery County, MD) and Energy Efficiency (Rabbi Gedalia Walls, Reuven Walder)

Open dropbox folder with WMA files

Moving Forward with “Move Our Money/ Protect Our Planet”

TheShalomCenter — Tue, 27 May 2014 11:19:50 +0000

More than 100 Rabbis, Cantors, and other Jewish spiritual leaders have signed the Rabbinic Call to Move Our Money/Protect Our Planet. (Providentially, not planned by us, the initials spell “MOM/POP.”).!

There are now four initiatives we want to take toward giving additional reality to this Call:

1) Sabbatical/ Shmita Year

In Leviticus 25, the Torah calls for the human community to let the Earth rest from organized agriculture every seventh year — a Sabbatical Year called Shabbat shabbaton or Shmita ("Release" or "Non-attachment"). For millennia, the count for the seventh year — the Shmita — has been kept. Beginning next Rosh Hashanah (September 24-26), the next Jewish year will be a Shmita.

We cannot instantly halt all farming, mining, drilling. How then can we bring into our own lives, our own societies, and the world at large these Shmita values of protecting and healing the Earth?

One way is the public commitment of congregations and their households to act on the Rabbinic Call to Move Our Money/Protect Our Planet. This effort will isolate and weaken the deadly fossil-fuel industries while strengthening renewable energy companies and other life-giving enterprises. It will at the same time engage households and congregations in achievable direct change, and carry more clout for public policy change than (e.g.) changing light bulbs.

Arranging for your congregation to announce its commitment to Move Our Money/Protect Our Planet just before Rosh HaShanah or during the days between Rosh HaShanah and Yom Kippur could be an important forward step, creating ripples of excitement and change throughout the Jewish community and beyond.

2. Moving from a Call to a Campaign.

I hope that you will invite your colleagues, congregants, and chevra to actually begin moving to make the Moving of Our Money begin.

That might mean asking your congregants to examine their own purchases and check out their banks. It might mean asking your synagogue or organization Board to do the same. If you have a say in a denominational or communal fund, you might begin exploring with them.

Since the festival of Shavuot (June 3-5) evokes both the Revelation on Mount Sinai and the completion of the spring wheat harvest in ancient Israel — tying together Earth and Torah, Words and Wheat — that might be an excellent moment to raise these questions with your congregation.

We have prepared an extraordinarily careful and precise Action Handbook for Moving Our Money to Protect Our Planet. We especially recommend using that specific item to walk the walk, as well as continuing to talk the talk. It’s at –

<https://theshalomcenter.org/content/move-our-money-action-handbook>

3. People’s Climate March/ Jewish contingent

On Saturday September 20 or Sunday September 21, there will be a mammoth People’s Climate March in New York City. It is being timed to come close to a Summit conference (called by the UN Secretary-General) of world leaders, governmental and otherwise, to address the intensifying climate crisis. It sole demand is very general — “Act Now on Climate!” – and it will be a peaceful, legal, family-friendly event.

The Shalom Center has begun working toward organizing a Jewish contingent on the March. We want 100 shofar-blowers to lead the Jewish contingent, caling out "Sleepers Awake!" as only the shofar can.

We are also working in and with Interfaith Moral Action on Climate (IMAC) toward an interfaith contingent.

Holding the March on Saturday will pose problems to many Jews who observe Shabbat. So the March organizers (and of course we) prefer Sunday afternoon, Sept. 21. But the organizers are not certain whether March permits may be approved for Saturday afternoon instead. If the March is held on Shabbat, we at The Shalom Center have already begun arranging a welcome from local synagogues to Shabbat morning services for Jews who want to come for the March.

For those of you within reach of New York City, we encourage you to begin alerting friends and fellow-congregants to the plans. When the date, time, and route of the March and the Jewish and Interfaith contingents become definite, we will let you know.

4. The Ten-City Jewish Climate Action Project

Beginning last fall, The Shalom Center worked with Jewish climate activists in Boston who organized themselves into the Jewish Climate Action Network (JCAN).

They invited me to meet with them in March. After a wonderful open conversation I asked whether they thought they could persuade ten Boston-area synagogues to commit themselves to acting on Move Our Money/Protect Our Planet, and to announcing their commitment between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur.

They looked around the room at each other, nodded, and said they thought so.

Building on this experience, The Shalom Center has begun discussions with local Jewish climate activists in Washington DC and Philadelphia, and has decided to begin working toward helping such networks come into being in seven more cities.
On all four of these initiatives, I welcome your thoughts, suggestions, critiques, etc. (Write me at Awaskow@theshalomcenter.org ) And I welcome your gift to help us go forward with the sacred, life-giving work to heal our wounded Earth. You can make a (tax-deductible) gift by clicking on the "Donate" button on our website Https://www.theshalomcenter.org. Thanks!

With blessings of shalom within and between adamah (Earth) and adam (human earthlings) — Eco-Rebbe Arthur

GZA-Hechalutz FREE Birthright Trip to Israel in June

Sun, 30 Mar 2014 20:42:20 +0000

Interested in a FREE trip to Israel with a focus on the environment, this is the trip for you!

The application deadline is today — Monday, March 31.

Visit our website to for info on the application:

http://www.greenzionism.org/greenisrael

Select IsraelExperts as the Trip Organizer, June – Green Israel as the Trip Selection & enter Referral Code GZA30.

Environmental Tip of the Week: Replace one or more store-bought, chemical-filled body-care products with something homemade and natural!

Sarah Rivka Schechter — Thu, 30 Jan 2014 13:28:43 +0000

Cross posted in Environmental Tip of the Week

This is a great resource to get you started: http://www.jewcology.com/content/view/Do-It-Yourself-Body-Care-for-the-New-Year

Transformative Judaism and our Planetary Crisis

TheShalomCenter — Mon, 21 Oct 2013 08:06:17 +0000

Since human action has endangered the web of life on earth, human action can heal it.

And the religious and spiritual communities of our planet have the wisdoms and the tools to do the healing.

Judaism is especially relevant because, unlike most world religions, we preserve the teachings of an indigenous people in the biblical tradition –- the spiritual wisdom of shepherds and farmers. And yet as a world people, we can now apply the earthiness of our origins to the Whole Earth.

That does not mean simply repeating the ancient practices. For instance, the ancient code of kosher food does not take into account that we now “eat” coal and oil and crucial minerals like lithium. Is there an “eco-kosher” way of eating them, as well as caring for vegetables and fruit and kosher animals in ways traditional kashrut did not? Can we shape our ceremonial ways of celebrating Sukkot and Pesach and Tu B’Shvat and life-cycle ceremonies so that they embody social action to heal our wounded Earth as an aspect of spiritual deepening?

For The Shalom Center (see https://www.theshalomcenter.org ), this transformation in our reality calls for action in four aspects of reality:

1. Spiritually, the creation of new forms of prayer, meditation, and celebration that draw us into fuller awareness of the interweaving of all life: for instance, “pronouncing” and understanding the Sacred God-Name “YHWH” as YyyyHhhhWwwwHhhh, the Interbreathing of all life – Ruach Ha'Olam — rather than Lord or King, Melech Ha'Olam.

2. Intellectually, the absorption of ecological science into what we teach and learn as sacred Torah, just as Maimonides absorbed the best science and philosophy of his day into Torah. Ecology takes seriously both each distinctive niche of each life form and the flow that connects them into an ecosystem. It does what Kabbalah yearns toward: reintegrating what seem to be the two Trees of Eden — the Tree of Flowing Life and the Tree of Distinction-making — into One.

3. Relationally, our recognition of the varied ethical, religious, and spiritual life-paths as necessary and valuable unfoldings of the varied “organs” of human civilization and planetary life – as different from each other and as equally necessary to each other as the brain, liver, heart, and lungs in a single body. Just as the bodily organs not only “dialogue” with each other but actually work together, we need to move beyond interfaith dialogue into the pursuit of interrelational work among the different communities.

4. Vigorous action to confront the modern Carbon Pharaohs that are bringing plagues of drought, flood, war, and famine on the Earth and all Humanity – action that might include lobbying, voting, rallies, vigils, nonviolent civil disobedience, organizing counter-institutions like coops, organic farms, etc., and economic action to Move Our Money/Protect Our Planet (MOM/POP) – moving our money from corporate investments and banks that endanger Mother Earth to companies, banks, coops, etc. that protect and heal her.

As we move forward in all these aspects of the world, we create a Judaism that heals and transforms itself in order to heal and transform the world. We learn anew what ancient Torah teaches: – “Sh’sh’sh’shma! Hush’sh’sh’sh and Hear, all you who wrestle with the Ultimate — Hear the still small voice of almost-silent breathing: the Breath of Life is ONE!

Family Fun on the Farm

Owner of Pearlstone Center — Mon, 18 Mar 2013 10:31:27 +0000

In the Jewish calendar, the springtime month of Nissan signals the beginning of the agricultural New Year. As the weather warms and the days get longer, we shake off the frostiness of winter and awaken to the growth all around us. For the next 8 months, the familiar natural rhythms will renew: our favorite crops will appear at local farmer’s markets, chickens will increase their egg production, and baby animals will be born and mature. Yet, it’s so easy to forget these realities when we spend more of our time out of touch with nature’s rhythms.

At the Pearlstone Center, we strive to create opportunities to connect to the land. On July 26^th-30^th, the Pearlstone Center is hosting a Family Farm Camp. Spend time with your family and other young, Jewish families preparing fresh farm to table meals, collecting eggs, milking goats, and exploring our nature trails. We’ll also enjoy more traditional camp activities, such as swimming, arts and crafts, music, and sports. “Adult-only” time will feature workshops in pickling, soap-making, cheese-making, and more. Spend a long weekend at our beautiful, natural setting, enjoying an all-inclusive and inspiring experience. Contact Lisa@pearlstonecenter.orgfor more information.

Each month, we invite the entire community, free of charge, to spend an afternoon at our “Open Farm Day.” Bring your service group, your family, your friends, or just come alone and meet new friends on our farm. Open Farm Days are a great way to get outside on a Sunday afternoon and enjoy the simple things in life. Open Farm Days consist of the following elements:

Volunteer alongside other community members—plant, dig, harvest, and build on our organic farm

Learn about sustainability through hands-on skills workshops, such as pickling, cheese making, and composting. Kid-friendly workshops are offered as well.

Celebratethe seasons, enjoy live entertainment, and bring a picnic to eat on the farm.

Join us, from 1:30-6, on the following dates:

April 28, May 12, June 9, July 28, August 25, September 29, October 27

Where: The Pearlstone Center, 5425 Mount Gilead Rd, Reisterstown 21136

Contact teri@pearlstonecenter.orgto RSVP or for more information

Hope to see you on our farm soon!

- Morris Panitz, Program Director, Pearlstone Center

Announcing the Jewish Homestead 2013!

Owner of Pushing the Envelope Farm — Wed, 13 Mar 2013 16:35:38 +0000

Hi Everyone,

I wanted to use my blog post this week to introduce our three-week residential homesteading opportunity for young adults. There is more information in the link below. Please share with your friends!

The Farm Team

Pearlstone’s 5th Annual Beith Midrash!

Owner of Pearlstone Center — Mon, 21 Jan 2013 11:49:53 +0000

May every person get to experience the communal and collective power of prayer, learning and celebration at our 5^th annual Beit Midrash this year at the Pearlstone Center in Reisterstown, MD on February 15th-17th!

For the past 4 years, a gathering of brightly spirited, intergenerational and diverse teachers, students, children and individuals have profoundly experienced and impacted the environmental Jewish movement at our annual Shabbaton. Nestled away in a beautiful green landscape, we participate in deep learning, meaningful prayer and connection, and transformational experiences.

Join us this year as we dive into themes devoted to the Jewish calendar.

How does the Jewish calendar provide a spiritual, land-based rhythm for Jewish living?

How do we apply Jewish agricultural values on land, the classroom, and throughout society?

Learn from a talented group of educators, featuring Pardes, Hazon, and Mechon Hadar staff. Classes will explore the 7 year cycle of Shmittah, the connection between rain and fast days, the agricultural roots of our holidays, and more. Eat delicious Kosher food, including Grow & Behold Pastured Meats, and walk away having created beautiful connections to your inner self, other individuals and the holy earth around you. Past participants have shared, “If you wanted to see swords being turned into plowshares, the place to be is at the Beit Midrash. There is great recognition for creating this atmosphere of Torah and Unity to all the participants; in these times of religious disunity within the Jewish people, and at a time when Jews in many places are facing existential threats, it was very inspiring to be in a place of dedication to mutual growth as Jews. A truly glorious, moving and powerful Shabbaton to experience!”

Register for our fabulous event here and get ready to be transformed!
http://events.constantcontact.com/register/event?llr=4tuxmucab&oeidk=a07e6j3zl0gd1ab68f0

For more information please contact:

Lisa Bodziner

lbodziner@pearlstonecenter.org

410-429-4400 ext. 246

Signature program and curriculum coordinator

Join Us! Houston’s Jewish Food Summit – January 27, 2013

Yaira Robinson — Mon, 07 Jan 2013 12:43:21 +0000

Join us in Houston on Sunday, January 27th for a morning of learning and hands-on workshops at the intersection of sustainability and Jewish values! At Texas’ first Jewish Food Summit, we’ll explore how to integrate ancient wisdom into our contemporary lives. The program will feature guest speakers, informative workshops, and a tree-planting followed by a special Tu B’Shvat seder–a special meal to celebrate the Jewish New Year for the Trees. All are welcome!

What: Houston Jewish Food Summit

When: January 27, 2013, 9:45 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.

Where: Congregation Brith Shalom

4610 Bellaire Boulevard

Bellaire TX 77401
713.667.9201

This program is sponsored by Congregation Brith Shalom in Houston, the Texas Interfaith Center for Public Policy, The Jewish Herald-Voice, and our friends at Hazon,

To see the program and to register, see the Jewish Food Summit page.

Have questions? Email us!

Upstream or Gan Eden

Melissa Simon — Mon, 24 Dec 2012 17:51:43 +0000

2013: January 16th, 23rd, and 30th, I have been invited to lead a Wednesday Night Forum series on Judaism and the Environment at Chicago’s Anshe Emet Synagogue @ Broadway/Grace. All invited, no fee.

http://www.ansheemet.org/CalendarEvent.aspx?cal=Featured%20Events&id=jtvuqfnp51nu05mjuamo0pri50_20130117T010000Z

http://www.ansheemet.org/calendar.aspx

Tree B’Earthday – Tu Bishvat Retreat at Isabella Freedman

Owner of Adamah — Mon, 17 Dec 2012 13:47:19 +0000

Tree b'Earthday: A Tu b'Shevat Celebration
Friday, January 25 – Sunday, January 27, 2013
at Isabella Freedman Jewish Retreat Center in the Connecticut Berkshires

Give thanks for the birthday of the trees and the Jewish Earth Day with the many branches of the Jewish environmental movement. Join activists, rabbis, leaders, and educators to contemplate and celebrate our interconnectedness with trees and the natural world.

Tree-mendous highlights include:
-Romemu-style (Renewal) services with Shir Yaakov
-Orthodox services with Rabbi Greg Wall

All-inclusive rates start at just $228* per person and include farm-to-table shabbat meals, an elaborate seder with four cups of wine, lodging, diverse learning and celebration, multiple prayer options, yoga classes, guided hikes on our beautiful trails, and more.

Visit http://isabellafreedman.org/tubshevat for more information and to register.
*Register by midnight on December 28th and save 10%!
*All attending Tree B'Earthday receive 50% off a two-day community organizing training, in partnership with Jewish Energy Covenant Campaign, Jewish Energy Network, & JOIN for Justice, in Washington DC on March 13 and 14. Click here to apply!

Thanks to our sponsors:

http://romemu.org/
http://edenvillagecamp.org/
http://neohasid.org/
http://www.jewcology.com/
http://www.jewishfarmschool.org/
http://coejl.org/
http://www.tevalearningalliance.org/
http://www.hazon.org/
http://www.greenzionism.org/
http://www.rimonberkshires.org

Sneak Peek of Upcoming Pearlstone Programs!

Owner of Pearlstone Center — Mon, 17 Dec 2012 07:03:56 +0000

As the days shorten and the farm remains dormant for the winter, the Pearlstone program team is continuing its hard work and preparation for the upcoming season.

Here's a sneak peek at a few of the exciting upcoming opportunities:

5th Annual Beit Midrash and Bonus Day: Sacred, Sustainable Rhythms of the Jewish Calendar. The Beit Midrash is an inspirational Shabbaton filled with learning, celebration, and groundbreaking Jewish thought. Join an intergenerational, pluralistic community of Jewish farmers, rabbis, educators, scholars and consumers from across the country. To learn more, visit http://events.r20.constantcontact.com/register/event?llr=4tuxmucab&oeidk=a07e6j3zl0gd1ab68f0&oseq=

Early bird rates close January 1st– DON'T MISS OUT!!

Integrated Sustainability Apprenticeship- Interested in participating in a 7-month apprenticeship program at Pearlstone? Always wanted to learn the basics of sustainable farming in a Jewish, communal setting? Our Integrated Sustainability Apprenticeship could be your chance. Visit http://pearlstonecenter.org/jobs-apprenticeships/ to learn more.

Applications due January 15th!

Internships and Volunteer Opportunities- We offer a number of exciting ways to get hands-on experience helping out at our farm. Animal care volunteers tend to our dairy goats, laying hens, and peacocks during morning and evening chores. Spring interns and volunteers can join our farm team in a number of tasks, including seeding, bed preparation, and early season harvests.

Contact Teri@pearlstonecenter.org to learn more!

We look forward to seeing you soon!

Pearlstone Center: Connecting Judaism and Agriculture

Owner of Pearlstone Center — Thu, 13 Dec 2012 17:36:57 +0000

On November 11th, 2012 Pearlstone was blessed with the opportunity to host a group of 3rd-6th grade religious school students from Temple Beth Ami in Rockville, MD. Our experienced and engaging staff led a program including education on sustainable farming techniques as well as a deeper understanding of Jewish spirituality and how it connects with the environment. Temple Beth Ami’s Sharon Tash, Informal/Family Educator, was so pleased with our program that she took the time to write us these kind words, “I want to thank you again for the wonderful and engaging program that you brought to our students yesterday. We were extremely impressed with the organization, level of preparation of your staff, and especially their ability to connect so beautifully with our students. I hope that this might be the first of many such programs!” Thank you so much, Sharon! We had a wonderful time hosting the 3rd-6th grade students from the Temple Beth Ami and we hope to see you all again soon! Please check out these awesome pictures from the Temple Beth Ami program at Pearlstone Center 11-11-12

Community Organizing Training for the Jewish Energy Network

Owner of Coalition on the Environment and Jewish Life (COEJL) — Wed, 28 Nov 2012 11:42:22 +0000

Jewish Energy Network – Community Organizing Training

with JOIN for Justice

March 13-14 – Washington, DC

Gain the skills you need to take action!

CLICK HERE to apply

Creating systemic change can be challenging. But there are tools that can help! Gain skills to take action in your community.

In support of the Jewish Energy Covenant Campaign and the Jewish Energy Network, COEJL is convening a two-day community organizing training, in partnership with JOIN for Justice, in Washington DC on March 13 and 14.

This training will provide you with community organizing skills to take action on climate change and energy dependence at your synagogue or Jewish organization.

Join us in Washington, DC, on March 13 and 14. Click here to apply!

What: Community organizing training for energy advocacy and action

Participants must agree to initiate an energy advocacy or reduction initiative at their synagogue or Jewish organization. COEJL will provide mentorship to help participants reach their goals.

Read a sample list of initiatives.

Two-Day Training Dates: March 13-14, 2013

Wednesday, March 13:10:00 am to 5:00 pm and

Thursday, March 14: 9:00 am to 4:00 pm

Follow up webinars and programming will be offered throughout the year.

Where: Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism

2027 Massachusetts Avenue Northwest

Washington, DC 20036

Cost: $72 registration fee

Price includes kosher lunch and light breakfast. Dinner is not included.

Payment is due within two weeks of being accepted into the training.

This training is a project of the Jewish Energy Network, which is mobilizing passionate Jewish individuals to help their communities reduce energy use and increase energy advocacy within the Jewish community.

What is community organizing?

Community organizing is a social change model that builds change from the bottom up. By connecting people to each other and identifying shared values and concerns, community organizing builds deep relationships and helps people to act together to transform their communities for the better.

As people who care about environmental and social change, it can be easy to feel overwhelmed by the size of the problems and the dearth of people who seem to care enough to take the lead. By connecting people to each other and to issues they are passionate about, organizing harnesses the power of the community to influence key decision makers and get more done than a small group of committed activists could alone. Community organizing also deepens community relationships and develops leaders, so that when one project is done, the community is more able to tackle the next challenge.

Seeking Venues for Jewish Environmental Speaking Tour

Yonatan Neril — Wed, 07 Nov 2012 04:53:48 +0000

I am planning a Jewish environmental speaking trip for next month (December) and seek help in finding Jewish institutions or groups that are interested in my speaking at their institution in New Jersey, New York City, Los Angeles, and San Francisco areas. I founded and direct the Jerusalem-based Interfaith Center for Sustainable Development (ICSD), which accesses the collective wisdom of the world’s religions to promote co-existence, peace, and sustainability through education and activism. ICSD’s Jewish Eco Seminars branch works within the Jewish community to promote Jewish environmental awareness and action.

I plan to be in the United States from Nov. 29^th- Dec. 23^rd. This includes being:

in the New Jersey/New York City area from Nov. 29^th-Dec. 9^th;
in the Los Angeles from December 9^th to 13^th, which includes the first few days of Chanuka;
in the San Francisco Bay Area from December 13^th to 23^rd, which includes the last few days of Chanuka, and the week after Chanuka.

I can teach on a number of topics, including

Chanukah and a Jewish Vision for Environmental Sustainability
Hurricane Sandy and Jewish Environmental Teachings
How Interfaith Environmental Cooperation Promotes Peace in Israel
Israel's Environmental Challenges and the Relevance of Jewish Teachings

I have a strong basis for teaching on Jewish values, Israel, and the environment, following an MA and BA at Stanford focusing on the environment, seven years of Jewish learning in Israel with an emphasis on Judaism and the environment, and several years of teaching experience on this topic. References, a fee schedule, and my resume are available upon request. Articles about the work of my organization can be viewed at www.interfaithsustain.com and www.jewishecoseminars.com

Rabbis and congregants have written the following about their experience during past speaking tours in 2008 and 2010:

“Rabbi Neril’s Jewish Eco Seminar put a spiritual foundation to the challenges we face with the environment.”
“Transcendent moments at Jewish Eco Seminars!…Jewish values grounded us in bringing heaven and earth closer together to do Tikkun Olam for the environment.”
“An inspiring educational experience that created an interactive dialogue for what Judaism teaches about caring for the environment.”

Please call or email me if you have any questions. Thank you in advance for your time and attention.

Sincerely,

Yonatan

Rabbi Yonatan Neril

Founder and Director

The Interfaith Center for Sustainable Development

www.interfaithsustain.com | www.jewishecoseminars.com

973-433-3322 (US-line)

Israel Environment Tour

Baruch Sienna — Wed, 24 Oct 2012 16:56:29 +0000

Baruch Sienna, a Jewish environmental educator, will be leading an amazing nature/environmental tour to Israel this Feb. 26-Mar. 7, 2013. We will be hiking, birdwatching, and visiting (and eating at) organic farms, learning from environmental organizations about water pollution/restoration, waste/recycling, and alternative energy initiatives in Israel. The places we are visiting are awesome.

For a full itinerary, visit www.arzaworld.com, or call toll free: 1-888-811-2812 to register or for more information.

Email: israel.naturally2013@gmail.com.