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Lag B’Omer & Vegetarianism (or Veganism): Making Every Day Count
By Daniel Brook & Richard H. Schwartz
Lag B’Omer is considered a minor holiday in the Jewish calendar, but even a minor holiday is worth celebrating. A great way to celebrate Lag B’Omer is through veganism, as Lag B’Omer is deeply connected to veganism. If not quite ready for veganism, a shift to vegetarianism would be a great initial step.
Lag B’Omer represents the 33rd day of the counting of the omer, the fifty days from Passover and Shavuot, reminding us of the link between these two holidays. While Passover celebrates our freedom from slavery, Shavuot ...
Reducing Food Waste in Seven Easy Steps
Statistics show that in the U.S. alone 60 million metric tons of food is wasted each year, of which about 40 million metric tons of it end up in municipal landfills. This represents between 30 to 40 percent of the overall food supply and the single largest component in landfills. It is an important value in Judaism that we not waste resources, including food (the principle of baal tashchit). Below are a few simple steps you can take to personally reduce food waste as you shop.
Inventory your food items before grocery shopping—Take stock of what you already ...
Passover and Earth Day
This year, the first night of Passover and the annual Earth Day both occur on April 22nd. Hence, this is a good time to consider environmental messages related to Passover and the events and concepts related to the liberation of the Israelites from Egypt:
1. Today's environmental threats can be compared in many ways to the Biblical ten plagues:
When we consider the threats to our land, water, and air, we can easily enumerate ten modern "plagues." For example: (1) acid rain (2) depletion of the ozone layer (3) destruction of tropical rain forests (4) global warming ...
Passover and Vegetarianism
Passover and vegetarianism? Can the two be related? After all, what is a seder without gefilte fish, chicken soup, chopped liver, chicken, and other meats? And what about the shankbone to commemorate the Paschal sacrifice? And doesn't Jewish law mandate that Jews eat meat to rejoice on Passover and other Jewish festivals?
An increasing number of Jews are turning to vegetarianism and they are finding ways to celebrate vegetarian Passovers while being consistent with Jewish teachings. For many years, Jonathan Wolf, a Jewish vegetarian activist, has had up to 50 people at ...
Inconsistencies in Passover Eating
It seems strange that Jews go to great lengths on the festival of Passover to observe Torah verses commanding us to avoid some foods, while ignoring other scriptural verses relevant to the consumption of other foods.
Among the features of Passover are the prohibitions of eating, owning or benefiting from chometz, foods such as breads, cakes and cereals that are made from one of the five grains (wheat, barley, rye, spelt and oats) that have undergone fermentation as the result of contact with liquid. These prohibitions are based on several Torah verses and are treated ...
Get Ready for Earth Day
By JEI intern, Maggie McCarthy
Though the earth sustains us, its health depends upon our care and responsible use of its resources. Protecting the planet is both a religious and spiritual imperative. The Hebrew phrase l’dor v’dor captures this central command. We must pass on a thriving earth “from generation to generation”.
Earth Day provides the perfect occasion to remember our duty to the planet. In attempts to raise environmental awareness, Senator Gaylord Nelson of Wisconsin proposed a day of celebration, instituting the first Earth Day on April 22, ...
Greening Your Purim
The Jewish holiday of Purim, which begins this year on the evening of March 23, celebrates the deliverance of the Jews from their enemies in the biblical Book of Esther. Purim typically involves reading from the Megillah, dressing up in festive costumes , eating hamantashen and giving gifts of food and drink to others (Shalach Manot). With a little creativity, you can make this holiday more eco-friendly. Below are some suggestions:
Do a clothing/costume exchange with friends: Instead of buying a new costume for the holiday, gather with friends (both adults ...
We’re doing it again… Israel Underwater Birthright
We're doing it again. Registration is now open for this summer's Israel Underwater Birthright Trip 2016.
If you are (or know someone who is) Jewish, a certified scuba diver, between the ages of 18-26, and have not been to Israel since you began college, you're eligible for this once in a lifetime opportunity. In addition to touring Israel (Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, Haifa, Tzfat, Masada, and the Dead Sea), we will dive in the pristine waters of the Red Sea in Eilat, the underwater archaeological excavations in the Mediterranean Sea at Ceasaria and more. We will be joined by ...
Native Plants for Everyone
By guest blogger, Maggie McCarthy, JCRC Environmental Intern
While February may seem early to think about gardening, planning ahead in the winter months allows necessary time for creating a healthy and sustainable home garden. Despite the tendency to think of landscaping as purely ornamental, harvesting appropriate plants can bolster the environment and fuel local ecosystems. Giving such thought and care to gardening endeavors enables us to protect and preserve the earth God has given us. When planning your home garden, rather than simply picking the first plants you ...
Support your local farmer
When shopping for groceries, many of us are quick to turn to the closest chain store for food items. We often forget to uphold the principle of “Bal Tash’chit” which urges us not to waste. This value is central to Judaism and has the potential to stave off further environmental damage. Although we may not see the potential for waste in purchases from supermarkets, oftentimes these stores harm the national environment and detract from local business. While many boast convenience, they often fail to provide locally sourced meats, grains, dairy products, and produce. ...
Hanukkah Night 8, 5776 – Seeing in Detail
Text by Rabbi Katy Z. Allen Photos by Gabi Mezger
Eight lights burning,
sending out light,
sending out heat -
the hanukkiah is full.
May our hearts be full as well,
of light
and warmth,
allowing us to see
in detail
both the pain
and the beauty
of the world.
Rabbi Katy Allen is a board certified chaplain and serves as an Eco-Chaplain and the Facilitator of One Earth Collaborative, a program of Open Spirit. She is the founder and rabbi of Ma'yan Tikvah - A Wellspring of Hope, which holds services outdoors all year long. She is the co-founder and ...
Hannukah Night 7, 5776 – One
Text by Rabbi Katy Allen
Photo by Gabi Mezger
One.
What does it mean?
One Homo sapiens.
One Earth.
One G!d.
One Universe.
One time.
One future.
What does it take
for us
to live
as ONE?
Rabbi Katy Allen is a board certified chaplain and serves as an Eco-Chaplain and the Facilitator of One Earth Collaborative, a program of Open Spirit. She is the founder and rabbi of Ma'yan Tikvah - A Wellspring of Hope, which holds services outdoors all year long. She is the co-founder and President pro-tem of the Boston-based Jewish ...
Hanukkah Night 6, 5776 – Let it Flow
Text by Rabbi Katy Z. Allen
Photo by Gabi Mezger
Let the light within us flow,
Let our lives flow,
and our hearts,
and our souls.
Shabbat shalom.
Rabbi Katy Allen is a board certified chaplain and serves as an Eco-Chaplain and the Facilitator of One Earth Collaborative, a program of Open Spirit. She is the founder and rabbi of Ma'yan Tikvah - A Wellspring of Hope, which holds services outdoors all year long. She is the co-founder and President pro-tem of the Boston-based Jewish Climate Action Network, and a hospice chaplain. She received her ordination ...
Hanukkah Night 5, 5776 – Sparks
Text by Rabbi Katy Z. Allen
Photos by Gabi Mezger
A spark of Mystery
burns within every single human being,
and within every part and parcel
of Creation,
and every one of those sparks is different.
All of the sparks are needed
for shleimut --
for total healing,
wholeness,
for Oneness.
What is the essence of your spark?
Rabbi Katy Allen is a board certified chaplain and serves as an Eco-Chaplain and the Facilitator of One Earth Collaborative, a program of Open Spirit. She is the founder and rabbi ...
Hanukkah Night 4, 5776 – What Is Burning?
Text by Rabbi Katy Z. Allen
Photo by Gabi Mezger
What is burning in your heart?
What is burning to be expressed?
To come out?
To be shared with the world?
To bring a blaze of light?
Whatever it may be...
Let it out!
Let it come forth!
Let it shine!
Rabbi Katy Allen is a board certified chaplain and serves as an Eco-Chaplain and the Facilitator of One Earth Collaborative, a program of Open Spirit. She is the founder and rabbi of Ma'yan ...
Rededicating Ourselves to Helping The Environment and the Poor During the Holiday Season
By Guest Blogger Maggie McCarthy, JEI Environmental Intern
The winter months provide several occasions for celebration. Hanukkah is the festival of lights and celebrates the victory of the Jewish people over religious persecution. The secular New Year is a time for reflection and renewal. Though we find ample opportunity for gratitude during these holidays, many in our local community struggle with hunger and poverty. These issues result from, not only a lack of resources, but also from the mounting environmental crisis. Tumultuous environmental condit...
Hanukkah Night 3, 5776 – Within and Without
Text by Rabbi Katy Z. Allen
Photos by Gabi Mezger
Baruch atah Adonai - Blessed are You Adonai --
Blessed is the spark of G!d --
of Life,
of Light,
of Specialness,
that burns within
your being,
within every living being.
Blessed is the Spark.
Eloheinu melech ha'olam - Our G!d, Sovereign of the Universe --
We acknowledge You,
Source of All,
from before time began
to the end of time,
and beyond,
from this pin point of place
to the farthest ends of the Universe,
and farther still.
We acknowledge You.
As the words of the blessings
enter the ...
Hanukkah Night 2, 5776 – Reflections
Text by Rabbi Katy Z. Allen
Photos by Gabi Mezger
The moon appears in the sky
while sunlight still shimmers,
the sky can still be called blue,
and clouds are visible.
In the waning daylight,
the reflection
of the reflected light
we call moonlight
sears a bright path
across the sea.
As darkness rolls in
the moon seems to brighten.
And when the darkness of the sky is complete -
though ...
Climate Catastrophe or a Sustainable Future – It Depends On Our Food Choices
Climate experts from 195 countries have gathered in Paris working to come up with an agreement that will help avert a climate catastrophe. However, they are overlooking an important factor and this threatens the success of their meeting.
Here are some important reasons that it is essential to address climate change:
Science academies worldwide, 97% of climate scientists, and 99.9% of peer-reviewed papers on the issue in respected scientific journals argue that climate change is real, is largely caused by human activities, and poses great threats to humanity.
Every ...
Hanukkah 1 – 5776
Text by Rabbi Katy Z. Allen
Photos by Gabi Mezger
dark emotions lurk in our hearts
heaviness weighs down our souls
the night stretches on
interminably;
we cannot see
we are lost
hope fades
but the picture is incomplete
a candle burns
piercing the darkness
anticipating dawn
reviving hope
carrying us forward
into a new day
Rabbi Katy Allen is a board certified chaplain and serves as a Nature Chaplain and the Facilitator of One Earth Collaborative, a program of Open Spirit. She is the founder and rabbi of Ma'yan ...