Introduction

This handbook was prepared with the assistance of an early grant from the Coalition on the Environment and Jewish Life. The goal of the project was to utilize the Jewish tradition's rich teachings on the environment to cultivate in the members of the congregation an enhanced:

• appreciation of,
• responsibility for,
• and willingness to commit resources to,

a cleaner, healthier, and more inspiring environment in their own hometown, and adjacent community. To accomplish this goal, environmental issues were tied to Jewish holiday observances, including Shabbat. Environmentally oriented holiday preparations, meals, special holiday readings, sermons, and outdoor activities were incorporated into holiday observances. The suggestions that follow are based on what worked well at Congregation Beth Sholom, a Conservative Synagogue located in a suburban community.

Approaches that work in one congregation may not necessarily work in another. The most important part of developing a program to teach about the contribution of Jewish tradition to a current social problem like the environmental crisis is to evaluate the resources and interests within your own congregation before attempting any type of activity which might be perceived as novel. Reactions to new programs vary from enthusiastic reception to violent rejection. The major route to a successful program is identification of a key leader of a small core group who is willing to take responsibility for its coordination and a sympathetic congregational leadership (both lay and professional), which is willing to promote and support the program. Advance planning is essential, and development of an environmental awareness program involves the same skills and processes as development of any other type of program. It helps to have leaders who may already have some knowledge of environmental ethics, natural science, and what the Jewish tradition has to say about both of these matters.

The suggested activities and readings that follow should be modified to suit the congregation. One possible reason that these suggestions may have been accepted and utilized at Congregation Beth Sholom was the long standing presence of a nucleus of environmentally oriented congregants who formed a loosely organized environmental club and study group called Hug Tevah. The activities suggested below may be best carried out after such a group has formed, or may lead to its formation. It all depends on the level of interest in your own congregation. Some general guidelines for carrying out the activities suggested below:

1. Schedule dates for special activities on the annual synagogue calendar at the time when this kind of planning is done and dates are still open.
2. Plan details of the activity at least two months before it is to be held. Be sure to specify what tasks will be done, who will do them, and what resources and time will be needed.
3. Publicize the activity though your newsletter, local (Jewish) press, and weekly announcements. Follow up with phone calls to key participants. Articles about the activity or the connections of the holiday to the environment can educate both children and adults.
4. Conduct the Activity according to plan and get feedback from participants.
5. Prepare a brief report for your board or other appropriate committee. Keep records of participation and publicity for future guidance.

Specific Activities

I. Pesach

Two kinds of activities are suggested for Pesach. One, special readings at the Seder, emphasizes the freedom given to man to choose the right course of action. The contrast of bondage in Egypt and freedom in the desert, a natural area par excellence, invites a while of ideas for special readings.

The second suggestion is a walk in a local natural area during the Festival (weather permitting of course). Even in northern climates where winter may still prevail much can be related about the connection between Pesach and spring. Pointing out the connection between the natural world and its Creator may be a novel reconnection for some, or an elevating spiritual experience for others. A qualified naturalist who knows both the Jewish tradition and local flora and fauna can be helpful. If you don't have such a resource person in your congregation check with your local parks department, school, Jewish Board of Education, or Jewish Camping organization. COEJL and the Teva Learning Center may be able to provide a leader or may know of one in your local area. The National Association of Interpretation may also be able to help you find a naturalist for this type of activity.

II. Lag B'Omer

This holiday usually comes in mid-to-late May and is an ideal time for a congregational outing to a local park. By going out of doors on this holiday we are continuing a tradition begun in Mishnaic times. No one needs instruction in how to organize a picnic. A brief (5 min) program, pointing out the traditions associated with the day and their obvious relation to the environment and our need to protect it, is that we can continue such activities, should be sufficient.

III. Shavuot

The custom of eating dairy foods on this holiday reminds us that meat is not always necessary. Nevertheless, there is a long tradition dating back to sacrificial cult begun in the desert of eating meat on special occasions. A portion of the Tikkun L'al Shavuot, the study session which can last from a few hours to a whole night, on the eve of Shavuot could be devoted to this theme. The impact of meat eating on the environment and the attitude of the Jewish tradition, which restricts the eating of meat (the kinds of meat which are allowed as well as the occasions for eating it) can help to make congregants aware that reduction in meat consumption is both consistent with Jewish tradition and is environmentally responsible. The leader of this discussion should be prepared with texts which can be studied and which present alternative viewpoints about the issue of meat eating.

IV. Rosh Chodesh, Elul and Shabbat

V. Rosh Hashanah

We developed a prayer about the cleansing power of freely running water which is included in our annual Tashlich service. It would certainly be appropriate to embellish this with Mishnah study, particularly about the sources of water for Mikvaot (ritual baths).

VI. Sukkot

Decorating the Sukkah provides a natural opportunity to reconnect Jewish tradition and the environment. Both gathering materials from a local farm, and placing them in the Synagogue's Sukkah, is great way to teach children that our produce comes from the environment and not the supermarket. How we manage our environment determines whether we will have the rains God has promised us at the right time. There are deep messages here that often lost on those who think that the natural world operates independently of the principles upon which it was created. Materialism is such a pervasive belief for modern man that we need to live in a Sukkah once a year to help remind us that with all our technological skills we must still depend upon divine Grace for ultimate survival. An emphasis on the use of natural decorations in the Sukkah can help keep alive our marvel of God's creations.

VIII. Hanukkah and Purim

VIII. Tu B'Shevat

The highlight of any holiday "greening" project should be a community Tu B'Shevat Seder. At Congregation Beth Sholom, plans for the annual Seder begin with setting the date, usually a year in advance, followed by selecting a coordinator arranges for publicity and placement of a reservation form which also asks for help with preparing food, conducting the seder, and providing a program. Special foods for the Seder must be purchased ahead of time along with dishes and utensils (unless your community is lucky enough to have washable ones). On the day of the Seder itself food preparation usually begins in the morning and set up in the afternoon. The "Hagaddah" for this Seder has no set pattern although there is precedent for using a version of the Kabbalistic Hagaddah Pre Etz Hadar written in the 16th century by the mystics of Safed. Modern versions are available and easily adaptable to various audiences including school children.

Special performances on environmental themes involving children have been particularly motivating. The parents love to see their children perform and kids like to show off. We have adapted the "Lorax" by Dr. Seuss, a "Wood Stork Named Warren," and a playlet published in Legacy (National Association on Interpretation) about whether man is guilty of destroying his environment.

In 1996, a speaker was invited from the Bergen County Utility Authority, Division of Solid Waste Management. Her mission is to help communities learn how to cut down on waste by shopping in an environmentally oriented way. She had a slide show which captured the attention of young and old alike and left us with packets of information about plastics, toxics and do's and don'ts that can help to save trees and other environmental resources. She provided us with the free cloth shopping bags where were used for our Mishloac Manot project. Besides this, we invited representatives from our local Shade Tree Advisory Board and made the Congregation aware of the importance of community forestry through an article about Tu B'Shevat in the local Jewish Newspaper.

IX. Conclusion

Each community must decide for itself what level of effort it is prepared to expend to develop environmental awareness among its congregants. Beth Sholom was able to tap many resources, but many of these resources are probably available in most localities, if one searches for them. It is important for the community environmentalist to make contact with local government officials to find out what kinds of opportunities are available in the community. Nature centers, schools, museums, libraries, and garden clubs are all potential sources of help. It is after all your world and what you do is up to you.

Organizations which can help

1. Coalition on the Environment and Jewish Life, 443 Park Ave. South 11th Fl. , New York, NY, 10016-7322. Phone: 212-695-6950, x210. Fax: 212-686-1353, email: info@coejl.org.
2. Teva Learning Center, 307 7th Ave, Suite 900, New York, NY 10001. Phone: 212-807-6376. Email: teva@tevacenter.org - trains wilderness leaders, runs educational programs, trips, publications.
3. Neot Kedumim, The Biblical Landscape Reserve in Israel, PO Box 1007, Lod 71100, Israel (on route 443 near Modi'in) - American Friends of Neot Kedumim, Halcott Center, NY 12430 (exhibits, publications, training).
4. National Association for Interpretation, PO Box 1892, Fort Collins, CO 80522, Phone: 970-484-8283. Fax: 970-484-8179. (Bi - monthly magazine in nature interpretation, directory of nature interpreters and nature centers).