Do you know Evonne? You should.

As a member of the Jewcology team, I’m a happy camper. I wasn’t totally sure of how the bits and pieces of Jewcology.com would come together or which people would engage with the material and users. However, last week was TuBShvat and there were so many accessible and usable resources on the site. I know a number of people who went to the site to learn more ways of teaching and engaging with the holiday. Last week was really the first time I was able to see the Jewcology dream in action, full force.

I want to dedicate this time and space to say thank you to Evonne Marzouk, the brain behind Jewcology. She’s a smart cookie and a good egg and any other food analogy you can think of. She’s also a true team leader and creative thinker.

I have worked in the professional Jewish community for ten years now doing all sorts of environmental work. And I can honestly say that working with Evonne is a gift. I constantly learn from her and regard her ear and wisdom at the highest level. She’s professional and she’s kind, to boot.

Although I love the work I do in gardens, on the trail and in the classroom, sometimes engaging the Jewish community in positive environmental ethic can be really challenging; especially after TuBShvat has come and gone. It’s one thing to do a planting, sing songs, and eat the food of the TuBShvat seder. But it’s totally another to be truly mindful of your waste, where your food comes from, and walk as lightly as possible on the Earth. Evonne does it all of this and she does it in a way that truly inspires other to be more mindful as well.

Thank you, Evonne, for being a wonderful leader in making the world a better place. Keep it going!!

My next blog entry will continue to focus on the growing garden movement in Los Angeles.

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