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Focus Areas > Social Justice > Jewish Environmental (JEI)
CHECK OUT JEI'S BLOG "PLANET JEWISH"
http://www.JewishinStLouis.org/PlanetJewish
Contact Your State Legislator: Urge a NO vote on HB 44
In 2008, JEI and JCRC endorsed Proposition C, a ballot initiative to require Missouri utilities to produce 15 % of their electricity from renewable sources by 2021. Proposition C passed by 66 % of the vote in November of 2008.
Currently there is a bill before the Missouri Legislature, HB 44, that would undercut the requirements of Prop C by allowing utilities to count the power generated by existing large dams as part of the 15 % requirement. This goes against the wording and intent of Prop C. If passed, this would mean less clean, renewable energy produced in Missouri over the next decade. Allowing old, existing hydroelectric power to count as part of the 15 % would dismantle the Missouri Renewable Energy Standard (RES), giving double rewards to hydroelectric plants already paid for rather than new construction in wind and solar projects.
Contact your representative in the Missouri House today and urge him or her to vote no on HR 44 to save the Missouri RES. You can look up your legislator by going to the following website and listing your zip code.
http://www.house.mo.gov/legislatorlookup.aspx
JEI Teen Group members educate other teens about Going Green
During the month of April, members of the JEI Teen Group spoke with other teens about ways that they can have a positive impact on the environment. Members of the teen group spoke with 7th graders at United Hebrew Congregation and 8th graders at Congregation B’nai Amoona. The teens covered topics such as how to be more Green in transportation choices, food choices, personal care item choices, and water and paper use.
Left to right—Roey Vardi, Ariel Groener and Hannah Cropf speaking at United Hebrew Congregation on April 14, 2013
JEI Teens and Friends Hold Successful River Clean Up Event
On Sunday April 7, members of the JEI Teen Group and friends participated with TrailNet on a river clean up by the Chain of Rocks Bridge in Madison, Illinois. The teens picked up trash along and near the Mississippi River, making the area cleaner and safer. “This was a true example of our teens helping to repair God’s creation, the Earth,” said Gail Wechsler, JCRC Director of Domestic Issues and staff person for the JEI Teen Group.
 
Aitan Groener with Teen Group Advisor Ariel Groener, Yael Simon, Shira Siegel, Ariel Baron
Sarah Anne Patz
 
Kevin Keach of TrailNet explains the work to the Group shot of the teens and the trash collected
teen and adult volunteers
JEI MEMBERS AND FRIENDS CELEBRATE TU B'SHEVAT
 
Longtime JEI member Steve Sorkin lead Participants in the 2013 JEI Tu B'Shevat Sedar
the Tu B'Shevat seder. Steve is shown
here
with his daughter, Hannah.
 
Participants in the 2013 JEI Tu B'Shevat Participants in the 2013 JEI Tu B'Shevat Sedar
Sedar
JEI MEMBERS TOUR EARTHDANCE FARMS
On August 19, 2012, members of JEI toured EarthDance Farms, located in Ferguson, Missouri. EarthDance operates out of the Mueller Organic Farm, the oldest organic farm in Missouri. Participants learned about how EarthDance fosters sustainable farming from seed to table.
 
JEI members enjoy organic watermelon
Picking ripe tomatoes at the farm
at the farm
(left to right) Mandy Brooks of EarthDance Farms, with JEI Steering Committee
member Shandi Penrod and JEI Chair Susan Mlynarczyk
Tree Planting
Jewish Environmental Initiative-Teen Group
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JEI Teen Featured in jewishinstlouis column "Cool Jewish Kids"
JEWISH COMMUNITY GARDEN SEEKS VOLUNTEERS
Garden of Eden
For many people who need to use the Jewish Food Pantry the idea of getting fresh vegetables is only a dream. The pantry’s shelves are stocked with boxes of macaroni and cheese and cans of soup, not fresh vegetables. The Garden of Eden was built to change this. Located on the northeast side of the Staenberg Arts & Education Building on the
I. E. Millstone Jewish Community Campus, the garden is flourishing.
The JCC and the Union for Reform Judaism have partnered to build a garden on the grounds of the J. JEI will be assisting with educational activities related to the garden. The garden will be tended by individuals from Covenant Chai Apartments and the general Jewish community. Led by Myra Rosenthal, Alan Raymond, Linda Kram and Lesley Levin, volunteers have planted squash, cucumbers, radishes, peppers and tomatoes to name a few of the vegetables that will be shared with the food pantry.
All members of the community are invited to come and tend the garden. Volunteer hours are Mondays and Wednesdays from 6:30pm-8:30pm and on Sundays from
10:00am-Noon. Volunteers should call ahead to schedule a time to help in the garden.
For reservation or other information please contact Lesley Levin at 314-628-6200.
Alan Raymond and Myra Rosenthal at the new
Jewish Community Garden at the Staenberg Arts
& Education Complex of the JCC
JEI Teens Hold Second Successful Native Plant Sale
and Rain Barrel Raffle
On April 29, the JEI Teen Group held its second annual native plant sale and rain barrel raffle. At the event, the teens educated members of the community about the benefits
of using native varieties of plants and flowers. In addition, Jessica Robinson of Robinson’s Rain Barrels gave a demonstration about the advantages of using rain barrels and donated one barrel that was raffled off at the sale. The program was held at Congregation Shaare Emeth.
Here are some photos from the event:
From Left:Dena Selig provides information for a customer; Fran Cantor with Jessica Robinson
Linda Kram with Aitan Groener; Shira Feen helps with a sale
   
JEI TEEN GROUP MEMBERS RAISE AWARENESS
ON EARTH DAY 2012
On April 22, 2012, members of the JEI Teen Group spread the word throughout the Jewish community on ways to go Green. Teen Group members Shira Feen and Shira Siegel spoke at Mitzvah Day at Congregation BSKI, presenting information geared to children and families on “Ten Easy Steps to Be Green in your Home.” Teen group members Aitan Groener, Dena Selig and Roey Vardi spoke to 8th grade students at Congregation Bnai Amoona about steps large and small the teens could take to help the earth. The 8th grade students learned about ways
to reduce paper and water waste, how to reduce energy emissions via transportation choices and how to eat in a more eco-friendly way. They also learned about eco-friendly personal care items.
For more information about the JEI Teen Group and about having the group speak at your organization, contact Gail Wechsler at gwechsler@jcrcstl.org or 314-442-3894.
 
L/R: JEI Teen Group members Roey Vardi, L/R: JEI Teen Group Advisor Sarah Anne Patz with
Dena Selig and Aitan Groener at Congregation Teen Group members Shira Siegel and Shira B'nai Amoona Feen
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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Links
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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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