Objectives

The objectives of this program include the following:

• Raise awareness of traditional Jewish teachings as well as of contemporary environmental issues?and the connections between them
• Provide a model, stand-alone program that can be repeatedly delivered in the future


• Raise profile of Adam va-Adamah as an active agent of Jewish environmentalism in British Columbia


• Build relationships between Adam va-Adamah, partner organizations, and Jewish institutions in British Columbia.

Target Audience

This program seeks to primarily reach Jewish families, but will also appeal to single individuals. The program will offer activities for children, as young as eight years old and it will include teachings and discussions for adults.

Scope

Food

Food plays a key role in the program. A central theme, like the apple, may be useful to illustrate some themes, like local vs. distant, organic vs. non-organic, small producer vs. factory-farmed. Adam va-Adamah strongly encourages obeying Kashrut as well as providing organic and locally-produced products whenever possible.

Entertainment

After the program concludes at 9:00 PM, a musical combo (e.g. accordion, violin) can be invited to perform, as an option. This will be tied into the commandment to be joyous on Sukkoth.

Role of Adam va-Adamah

• Develops overall program content (esp. Jewish teachings)


• Provides materials


• Provides one person at each event to support

Role of Host Organization

• Organizes and delivers the program


• Provide physical location for program (to accommodate 30-40 attendees?sukkah, chapel, classroom)


• Provide food for event


• Assembles all supplies (see Supply List)


• Provide two (minimum) helpers to assist with children?s program (can be teens or adults) and two (minimum) to deliver adult programming


• Rabbi or Director from host organization attends event


• Promotes event to membership and to Jewish community (newsletter, e-mail, posters, advertisements)

Program

Themes

Traditional Jewish Perspective

Where does food come from?

Contemporary Environmental Perspective

• Distant vs. Local
• Organic vs. Non-organic
• Small producer vs. Factory farming
• Genetically Engineered (GE) foods vs. traditional methods

Metaphor

The apple ? a local fruit and an autumn fruit that can weaved thematically through the program.

Program Outline

Intro

• Sukkoth Game (?Mishpoche Family Feud? or ?Sukvivor?)


• Welcome 10 minutes

Module 1

The Basics
• 4 species
• connection to nature


• harvest

Module 2

• Teaching on contemporary agriculture topic (for example, organics or GE foods.) Can show a video.

Module 3

Participants break into groups to read and discuss.
Examples:
• Organics
• GE foods
• The 4 Species

Closing

Wrap up

Refresh-ments

Program ends

Music (optional)

Children's Play

• participatory activity for kids under 13
• apple pageant or GE food game)

Childrens' Crafts

• participatory activity for kids under 13
• Examples: Sukka-building or drawings/Play Dough

Introduction - Game (10 minutes)

• Call for start at 7:00?plan on actual start of 7:15 PM.
• Allows for families to come after dinner and before bedtime.
• Lanch directly into game (?Mishpoche Family Feud? or ?Sukvivor? ? see script for details)
• Host Rabbi introduces program (with credit to Adam va-Adamah)

Module One - What is Sukkoth? (25 minutes total)

Part A- The Basics (15 minutes)

The children go to another room to plan for the apple pageant or GE food play. It will reflects the themes of apple, harvest and some elementary themes of Sukkoth. Plan to have some simple costumes or props available.

Concurrently, lead a teaching/discussion on the basic Jewish themes of Sukkoth for the adults and teens.

Part B- Childrens Play (10 minutes)

Kids rejoin the adults and present the apple pageant or GE food play.

Model One closes with everyone eating some apple treats (organic apples, strudel, apple cider, apple sauce, etc)

Module Two ? Agricultural Teaching (25 minutes total )

Part A - Intro (10 minutes)

Perform the luluv and etrog ritual with all (get kids to volunteer to do the ritual).

After lulav and etrog, kids go to another room and to a crafts project (Sukkah-building, drawing, or building musical instruments with gourds). Kids don?t return until end of program (in about 50 minutes)

Set the stage for a teaching on a contemporary agricultural theme (organics or GMOs for example). Show video (see script for video suggestions).

Part B ? Video (15 minutes)

Module Three ? Weaving it Together (30 minutes total)

Discussion Groups

This module allows participants the opportunity to discuss what they?ve learned and reflect on Jewish connection with the environment.

Participants can choose to join one of several groups. They will break off into groups, take a prepared handout, and discuss. The groups include:

• Organics
• GE Foods
• The 4 Species
• Other

Host delivers summary words. What can we do as Jews?
Rabbi says thanks.
Kids return from crafts workshop.

Program concludes with more apple treats and handouts.

Post Program ? Entertainment (45 minutes) - optional

With the program officially ended, the families may leave and others may linger to schmooze and to hear live music.

Clean up and Breakdown (30 minutes)

Scope