What a year to be Green at Beth Am! New rabbi, new Ed Director, new members, and a new focus for our efforts. Our Green Group, aka Ha-Yerukim, has expanded with the addition of new and energetic members Mona Sarfaty (co-chair), Irene Glickman, Deb Aronson, Lynn Gottlieb and Beth Pisk. (They join our prior members including Mike Weilbacher, David Feldman, Marjorie Marenberg, Tanya Sweet, co-chair Fred Baurer, and our Board Liaison Linda Heller.) We have re-focused our efforts in these directions:
- bringing green practices into our shul life
- integrating Environmental learning into the rhythms of the Jewish year learning opportunities
- Taking a lead role in the larger Jewish and interfaith movement toward environmental Tikkun Olam
Our major focus is Greening the Shul. This year has brought:
- Powered by Ruach for another year. We completed our third year of supplying our electricity through 100% clean wind power. (Fourth Ruach campaign coming soon!)
- Beth Am recycles! Despite numerous unanticipated obstacles, we are ready to begin on-site recycling. The Confirmation class has decorated recycling receptacles for the classroom and our new waste contract will include recycling (at cost savings for the shul!) Look for recycling bins at social events and throughout the shul as we get this up and running.
- Beth Am composts! Walk around the property– you’ll see the black Earth Machine composting bin donated by Gaby Lipkin and Sam Wojnilower. With the help of Shelley White, our kitchen is implementing composting procedures as you read this!
- Hazon CSA at Beth Am– 40 families have signed up so far for our first year of farm-fresh local produce, coordinated by Lynn Gottlieb
We have sponsored environmental learning programs to coincide with Shabbat Noach, Tu B’shevat and secular Earth Day. We plan to continue to mark these (and possibly Sukkot) events in the Jewish calendar with learning programs.
We have joined with MIGG, the Main Line Interfaith Green Group, to co-sponsor a Tu B’shevat Seder at Main Line Reform Temple as well as other regional programs including a Green contingent in this year’s Memorial Day parade in Wayne.
Ha-yerukim meets monthly on Tuesday evenings. For more information contact Fred Baurer (fredbaurer@msn.com) or Mona Sarfaty.(monasarfaty@yahoo.com)