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Focus Areas > Social Justice > Jewish Environmental (JEI)
2012 Tu B’Shevat Seder
JEI members celebrated the holiday of Tu B’Shevat, the new year of the trees, with a Seder at Congregation B’nai Amoona on Sunday January 29. Rabbi Randy Fleisher led the Seder, using the Hagaddah created by JEI member Alan Elfanbaum. Those attending enjoyed songs and readings focused on the four seasons and feasted on fruits, nuts and organic, fair trade Kosher chocolate.
Diane Maier and Linda Gavatin with other JEI
members at 2012 Seder
JEI member Steve Sorkin presents Rabbi Randy Fleisher with the
Alfred Kahn Shomrei Adamah Award for his environmental work
CREATING A SUSTAINABILE GARDEN OF EDEN
Hear the inspirational story of the Jewish community organic garden in Chicago and learn how to start one here in St. Louis.
Special Guest: Robert Nevel, Chicago Architect
KAM Isaiah Israel Congregation Board Member
Chair, KAM Isaiah Israel Congregation Social Justice Committee
Founder, KAM Isaiah Israel Congregation's Food Justice and Sustainability Program
Co-sponsored by JCRC and its Jewish Environmental Initiative (JEI)
Sunday February 12, 2012, 9:30 AM to 12 Noon—Saul Mirowitz Jewish Community School
For more information, contact Lesley Levin at 314-628-6200 or lesley@sbcglobal.net
Click here for the flyer
DISCUSSION OF FAIR TRADE HELD AT JEI MEETING
At the November JEI general meeting, local small-business owner Andrea Reubin discussed her dessert bakery, Just Sweets, which uses Fair Trade certified products for all imported ingredients. Resources for Fair Trade are shown below.
http://www.justsweetsdesserts.com/
http://manchesterumc.org/FTM/
http://fairtradeusa.org/
http://www.fairtradefederation.org/
JEI Presents How to Make Your Home More Energy Efficient
On October 23, 2011, JEI co-sponsored a workshop with The Green Center of University City on “How To Make Your Home More Energy Efficient.” Presenters Gary Steps of Butterfly Energy Works and Kathleen Engel of HomeNav provided practical information on ways large and small to reduce utility bills and help the environment. For more information, here are some websites that can help you take steps to make your home more efficient in the use of energy, appliances and in terms of sealing your home from energy leaks:
www.HomeNav.com
www.butterflyenergyworks.com
http://www.butterflyenergyworks.com/site/index.php/energy101-resources-a-links
www.homegreenhome.us
Jan Oberkramer, Executive Director of The Green Center,
welcomes participants to the program
Tree Planting
Jewish Environmental Initiative-Teen Group
Links
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CHECK OUT JEI'S NEW BLOG "PLANET JEWISH"
http://www.JewishinStLouis.org/PlanetJewish
JEI Teen Featured in jewishinstlouis column "Cool Jewish Kids"
JEI co-sponsors Hazon Shared Shabbat Dinner
On August 5, 2011, members of JEI and participants in the St. Louis Hazon Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) Program attended a Shared Shabbat Dinner at the home of Stan and Lesley Hoffman. Participants each contributed a dish made with ingredients from the CSA farm. Members of the CSA pre-purchase a share of produce from a local, organic farm and receive seasonal vegetables from the farm weekly from May through October. JEI is a participating agency in the Hazon CSA.
 
JEI Teens at BSKI Mitzvah Day 2011
Several members of the JEI Teen Group were invited to attend BSKI Mitzvah Day on April 10, 2011. Teen group members Hannah Cropf and Dena Selig gave a presentation on the dangers of polystyrene and also talked about the upcoming native plant sale and the benefits of native plants and rain barrels. After giving a presentation to all Mitvah Day attendees in the synagogue sanctuary, the teens were available at the “Eco Booth” as part of the day’s activities.
(left to right: Dena Selig and Hannah Cropf at the Eco-Booth at BSKI Mitzvah Day).
Teen Initiative
JEI Teen Group On The Move
The Jewish Environmental Initiative is excited to introduce it's newest program--a group for teens interested in environmental issues.The JEI Teen group is for any Jewish teen (8th grade and above)who would like to explore the connections between Judaism and caring for the Earth. The group meets every other month and plans activities and projects of all kinds--from researching environmental topics to doing presentations for youth groups to taking nature hikes. If interested in learning more about the JEI Teen group, contact Gail Wechsler at gwechsler@jcrcstl.org or 314-442-3894.
The JEI Teen Group has developed a PowerPoint called "Greening your Synagogue". For more information, please contact Gail Wechsler at gwechsler@jcrcstl.org or
314-442-3894.
(left to right) JEI Teen Group members Hannah Cropf and Jenny Koshner
Community Resources for Project Noah—There are many ways that synagogues, day schools and others in the Jewish community can do more to protect the environment. Below are materials that offer a variety of ways you can increase your awareness and act to better protect the planet:
Eco-Friendly Educational Ideas for All Ages
Green Tsuvah Survey for Teens
Tips for an Eco-Friendly Simcha
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Contact Us
For more information contact Gail Wechsler (314) 442-3894 or gwechsler@jcrcstl.org.
As Jews, we are commanded to preserve and restore God's wondrous creation - the Earth! The Biblical injunction, b'al tashit, is a prohibition against wasting resources. the concept of tikkun olam mandates that we repair the world.
"Do not destroy and desolate My world, for if you corrupt it, there is no one to set it right after you."
Midrash Ecclesiates Rabbah 7:13
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