Care for the Earth
Beth Shalom is a member of Greening Congregations with Earth Ministry/Washington Interfaith Power and Light. This means that Beth Shalom has set for itself goals for how to be more environmentally friendly in the year to come. Find our 2022 Annual Plan here. We have set goals in the following five fields: worship, education, building and grounds, community engagement, and faithful advocacy. Being a Greening Congregation also includes us in a network of interfaith congregations who encourage each other to increase their care for the earth.
Beth Shalom's earth care group is called Ahavat v’Avodat HaAdamah (AAA), meaning “Love and Service of the Earth.” We will be hosting a series of events throughout the year from adult education and themed kiddush lunches to religious school curriculum and young family programming. These will be on the calendar and publicized through the Beth Shalom newsletter. If you would like to be on the AAA email list, to lead an AAA event, or just ask questions about Greening Congregations, please email Tamar Libicki.
Tree of Life
The Eitz Chaim, or Tree of Life is a visual representation of Environmental Actions that the CBS and its members are currently taking. On the tree in the CBS lobby, you will find leaves with gold writing on them. You will see a small or large step we are taking as a community to protect our environment. The goal of this project is to get our members thinking about actions they can take in their own lives and get us talking to each other about ways of improving our consumption, transportation, travel, construction, etc. Ideally once the tree is full of action-leaves, if you want to replace your roof, or offset your plane travel, or change your diet, you can look at the tree and find a CBS member who can give you advice based on what they are currently doing. We hope that the Eitz Chaim will create a culture of celebrating and pursuing sustainable living.
Click here to fill out a form with environmental actions you and your family are taking, so leaves can be put up on the tree in the lobby on behalf of your efforts, and you can share your knowledge with the community.
Shmita Project Northwest
Shmita Project Northwest, a collaboration between Congregation Beth Shalom and Earth MinistryWashington Interfaith Power and Light seeks to educate, inspire, and build community around bringing Shmita to life. Also known as the Year of Release, the Shmita Year invites each of us to re-examine our relationship with the earth, with the Divine, and with one another. Find out more here.
