IN THIS ISSUE:

TAKE ACTION: Our Health at Risk
CELEBRATE: A Tu B'Shvat Shabbat
LEARN: Celebrating the Tu B'Shvat of the Kabbalists; The Environment in Contemporary Jewish Law
IN THE FIELD: Rabbi Warren Stone, COEJL Board Member and Environmental Activist
GO GREEN: Adopt-A-Tree; Eco-office Supplies

Our Health at Risk

Lead is extremely harmful to our health causing anemia, kidney problems, diarrhea, vomiting, comas, and even death. Pregnant women and children are the most at risk.  Even slight levels of the element can lead to developmental disorders in children, stillbirths, and miscarriages.  

Since the 1970’s, when the EPA first set the maximum allowable level of lead in our air, scientists have learned more about the risks involved with this compound.  In fact, since the EPA first established “safe levels” for lead, the Centers for Disease Control has twice lowered the blood lead level at which medical intervention is recommended, and has issued public statements noting that there is no “safe” level of the compound in our air. Yet despite this, the EPA has decided to deregulate airborne lead levels, thus eliminating the safety net underneath industries that work with it. This is a dangerous decision that has the potential to adversely affect our health. 

Contact EPA administrator Steven Johnsonand tell him to continue regulating airborne lead levels.

Trees, Shabbat, And Israel's Ecology
by Jonathan Wolf

Create an Eco-Shabbat! When Tu B'Shvat falls on Shabbat as it does this year, it becomes an opportunity to dedicate the day to enjoying and recognizing the natural world, Israel, and our responsibilities for the environment. Meals, lectures, nature hikes, children's carnivals, services, seudah shlishit (the late Saturday afternoon meal), study groups: many times and events during Shabbat can address and draw attention on the Torah's teachings about the meaning of true Sabbath rest, our obligations to preserve our world for future generations, the delights and varieties of healthful foods which spring from the earth, and our ties to the historic Jewish homeland in Israel and its rivers and hills. Every synagogue, Hillel house, havurah, JCC, religious school, senior center, community, and family can invent and adapt its own expression of an Environmental Shabbat on Tu B'Shvat-whether Seder, party, speaker, festive meal, text learning, games, songs, stories, or all-night gathering. This Shabbat is a propitious and auspicious time for focusing on the earth and its wonders and the ways it supports us and we protect it.

Click to read "Trees, Shabbat, and Israel’s Ecology" in its entirety.

Click here for some Jewish texts about Tu B’Shvat, Shabbat, the environment, and the land of Israel.

Click here for great resources to begin celebrating your Tu B’Shvat Shabbat. 

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A Vegetarian Tu B’Shvat Shabbat
This year Tu B’Shvat occurs during Shabbat, a perfect opportunity to have a truly environmental day of rest. For many, it is customary to eat meat on Shabbat – but on Shabbat of Tu B’Shvat, the holiday of the Earth and trees, we are encouraging you and your family and friends to go without it, even if you simply eat or serve meat one less time. No matter how you go about it, get the conversation going at your table.  Click here to read the article, “Vegetarianism is the New Prius” and learn more about why vegetarianism is good for the planet (and not just for the animals).

Click here to read more on the Jewish connection to this topic.

Celebrating the Tu B’shvat of the Kabbalists
by Rabbi Steve Gutow

When I began to think about Tu B’shvat and all of the trees I associate with the holiday, I suddenly realized that my mind had been transported?willingly and appreciatively to a place in time many years ago. I thought of my childhood. I did not reflect upon spirituality back then. Spirituality was just what life seemed to be about. The tree to me at that time was an indelible archetype of my soul. I didn’t know what the word archetype meant, but that’s what it was.  The magnolia tree in the front yard which every year offered me the beauty of its lush green leaves and rich white flowers?the deeply smelled scent of its seeds? opened up a world of amazing glory. When I took the opportunity to pop open the seed?.and smell the smells?.I knew at that moment as I know today?.that when I encounter the Magnolia?I am about to enter an awesome, beautiful place in my soul. 

Click here to read more of Celebrating the Tu B’shvat of the Kabbalists.

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Canfei Nesharim is proud to present their annual Tu B’Shvat Learning Campaign. Articles connecting nature and Judaism are available for communities and publications to share with their readership during the week or month of Tu B’Shvat. Following is an excerpt of an article from the campaign:

The Environment in Contemporary Jewish Law
by Dr. Manfred Gerstenfeld

In classical Judaism, many references are made to issues we nowadays would define as "environmental." These are found, for instance, in both the Tanakh's halakhic parts and the narrative. The stories of Paradise, the Flood, the ten plagues, and the falling of the manna have multiple environmental aspects. Talmud, Midrash literature, rabbinical responsa and other texts also refer to many environmental issues. Together they present a specific Jewish position on what emerged only a few decades ago as a separate field.

Halakha refers to a number of major environmental concerns, such as preventing the destruction of elements of nature, the treatment of animals, the conservation of natural resources, the allocation of space, pollution protection and avoiding nuisance to others. If one puts all halakhot in this field together, and analyzes them, one obtains an idea of the role of the environment in Jewish civil society from the legal viewpoint.

Click here to read more of The Environment in Contemporary Jewish Law.

Warren Stone, rabbi of Temple Emmanuel, Kensington, MD and COEJL Board Member was recently honored by his congregation for his 18 (chai) years of environmental leadership. Rabbi Stone is recognized nationally and internationally for his commitment and dedication to promoting environmental stewardship.  Participants at the COEJL Institute had an opportunity in 2005 to visit his “green” synagogue, a wonderful model for others looking to green around the country.

Click here to read, "A Jewish Response to Climate Change," about Warren’s environmental work through the years.

Kosher, Organic Fruit of the Vine

You won’t want to pass up this sweet deal! Sweet Whisper Farms of Readsboro, Vermont, has created an Eitz Chayim Adopt-A-Tree Program. For every maple tree “adopted,” for a year, you will receive a “tree package” followed by a hand-made wooden gift box containing syrup and private-labeled organic pancake mix, plus $5.00 of the proceeds will go to COEJL—all this and you’ll be helping to reduce global emissions. It’s a win-win-win! Click here for more information. 

Reduce - Reuse - Recycle. 

We all know that mantra and do our best, when we can. When it comes to office supplies, it’s of course best to use less, print double-sided, and recycle when you’re done.  But no matter how good we are, we will always need paper, envelopes, staples and more! So, next time you go to refill, make sure you’re buying eco-friendly products made from recycled sources.  Russell Levan, a COEJL supporter in California owns a supply store, Recycled Products Cooperative, for all of our home and office needs.