DISCOVERING WHO UNION FOR REFORM JUDAISM JESUS REALLY WAS THE BATTLE FOR HOLOCAUST MEMORY
REFORM.. JUDAISM 2009/5770 $ 3 . 5 0
Earthcare Saving the Planet & Ourselves An Ethical Culture Designed to Save
Our Planet & Ourselves
Adobe igloos, hand crafted from straw bales and local earth, house students studying at Kibbutz Lotan’s Center for Creative Ecology. Kibbutz Lotan, a community in Israel’s Negev conceived to fuse egali- local area? And we ask “Fare Share” tarian ideology with Reform Jewish values, has become an internationally questions too: Are part of the cow pas- recognized institute for practical environmental education centered on tures and woodlands kept “wild” for the Earthcare concept known as “permaculture.” In this Reform Judaism wildlife? Can the milk bottle be reused or magazine interview, four of Lotan’s leading ecology experts explain recycled easily, or will disposing of it con- how Reform Jews and congregations throughout North America can tribute to the landfill? Once we truly re-envision and transform our relationship with the Earth. understand that we only have one planet Earth and her resources are limited, we At Kibbutz Lotan’s Center for guide us in our decision-making, perma- appreciate that we are invested with the Creative Ecology you offer a culture has a simple reference we call “the power to change Earth, for better or Green Apprenticeship in Perma- three ethics”: 1) Care of the Earth, includ- worse, in every decision we make. culture and Ecovillage Design. ing all living things—plants, animals, What exactly is permaculture, land, water, and air; 2) Care of People, You quote from the permaculture and why do you believe it’s so promoting access to resources, self- designer Graham Bell: “Perma- important to be taught? reliance, and community responsibility; culture is about investigating and and 3) Fare Share, placing limits on con- finding the way to go back into Mike Kaplin, co-creator, sumption to ensure that the planet’s limit- ourselves, to find within our- director, and head ed resources are used wisely and equi- selves what we need to live and permaculture teacher, Center tably. Now, before we make our milk to stop looking for it elsewhere.” for Creative Ecology purchase, we can ask: “Care of the Earth” What does he mean by this? In the 1970s, Bill Mollison, questions: Were the animals who gave the an Australian ecologist, and one of his milk treated well? Were they fed sprayed Mike: If we can just stop for a second and students, David Holmgren, developed the food, which might affect milk quality as look at our lives, we may realize that concept—a contraction of “permanent well as the earth the food was grown in? everything we need, want, and makes us agriculture” (or sustainable agriculture) Is the dairy farm local, avoiding pollution that soon turned into “permanent culture” that would be generated from the milk’s (or sustainable culture). Permaculture is a transport? We ask “Care of the People” “With all our modern culture, philosophy, and design method questions: Does the farmer properly man- that teaches us to look at a whole system age the manure so as not to pollute the have to say hello to our or problem, to observe how the parts local drinking water? Will the milk sale relate, and to mend what needs fixing by generate income for a neighborhood truly happy is simple, priceless, and prob- applying time-tested sustainable prac- farm, increasing the likelihood that mon- ably universal: family, friends, love, and tices. For example, when we’re about to ey will be reused efficiently within the health. In contrast, our consumer culture purchase an item at a store, such as a bottle of milk, rather than think only of its immediate usage, which is only a small part of the system, we consider the whole picture: Do I really need it, where was it produced, what materials is it made of, and, always, what hap- pens after it’s used, how will it be disposed of? To
Green Apprenticeship stu- dents from Israel, Australia, California, and London hang out in a straw bale house in process. Con struc - tion using this renewable, natural resource began 100 years ago in Nebraska and still provides spectacular insulation value in build- ings worldwide. CENTER THE KIBBUTZ LOTAN OF COURTESY PHOTOS ALL ECOLOGY FOR CREATIVE drives us to seek happiness by acquiring work the land, grow the newest, fastest, most efficient contrap- food—and spiritually, tions—but after a short period of time that its meanings are prayer, happiness is gone. And ironically, with all appreciation, even rev- our modern super-duper time-saving erence. appliances, how much time do we have to In 1955, eight years say hello to our neighbor, play with the before Rachel Car- kids, and visit with family and friends? son’s Silent Spring ignited the environ- Alex Cicelsky, a founding mental movement, member of Lotan, researcher, Abraham Joshua Hes- designer, and builder with chel wrote these an emphasis on environ- prophetic words: “As mentally appropriate systems civilization advances, Making time for family and friends takes the sense of wonder active effort. It took me a while to under- declines. Such decline stand that watching even “educational is an alarming symp- TV” about foreign lands and ethnic cook- tom of our state of ing was taking time away from the family. mind. Humankind will Now, using Shabbat as a model for taking not perish for want of information; but only Lotan seminar participants combine envi- a respite from weekly patterns, we keep for want of appreciation” (God in Search of ronmentally friendly materials such as earth, the TV off, restrict Internet time, cook all Man). As Rabbi Burt Jacobson says, at the sand, and fibers to decorate the walls of a our meals together, and invite friends for root of the environmental crisis is the eclipse children’s workshop space constructed on a dinner each Saturday night. Instead of of wonder and its replacement by mindless- recycled car tire foundation. super-duper time-saving appliances, how much time do we neighbor, play with the kids, and visit with family and friends?”
“looking for it elsewhere,” we’ve initiated ness, greed, and domination. Our avoda, in and blowing life into his nostrils did God our own integrative travel and cooking contrast, is to appreciate this magnificent plant a garden. As it is written, “…God show—like the Mexican food fiesta we world without the filter of “it’s here for me.” took the man and placed him in the Gar- created with tortillas made from scratch. At Lotan we work to reexamine what we den of Eden, to work and to protect…” It’s been great, and the kids always look “need,” what we use to fulfill those needs, (Genesis 2:5-2:15). From this passage I forward to next week’s adventure. and how we do so without producing waste conclude that to some degree the whole and pollution. We live at the intersection of world was waiting for us humans to get to How do Jewish teachings inform Jewish ethics and permaculture. work. Note that God’s act of planting the your commitment to community garden was unlike the creation of other and environmental awareness? Some people have argued that natural spaces in that God simply com- environmentalism is not essential- manded the latter spaces into existence. Alex: When we built Lotan in Israel’s Arava ly a Jewish imperative, that the The garden, a metaphor for the earth, desert, far from the centers of activity, we fol- two are related but not integrated requires ongoing tending. lowed former Prime Minister David Ben ideas. How would you respond? Note, too, our original purpose as Gurion’s call to “conquer the wilderness.” humans, according to the Torah: Our first Today, as it was for our ancestors who passed Leah Zigmond, Eco job title was gardener. Caring for the earth through here after the Exodus, the wilderness Center Academic and is surely holy work, Jewish work. experience transforms us politically, socially, Educational Director; and spiritually. Here in the gardens that we gardener; former market- To engage in this holy work, plant in the desert, Genesis 2:15 is our garden businesswoman where should we begin? teacher, advising us, in two Hebrew words, and biodynamic farm apprentice how to nurture the environment in order to I would say that the two are inseparable. Mike: Because every deed has conse- realize its potential as a Garden of Eden: l’ov- After God created the world, the Torah quences, positive or negative, the first da ulshomra, meaning “to till and to tend.” tells us there were no trees in the fields or step is thoughtful observation: you The word ovda (till) has the same root as avo- herbs in the gardens, for God had not yet observe, collect information, ask ques- dah (the word for both work and worship). sent rain or created a human to work the tions rooted in the three ethics of perma- So, on the physical side, ovda means work— soil. Only after forming man from dust culture, and keep an open mind before making judgment and taking action. the plastic bag; I’ll pack groceries in my Am I already practicing perma- Think about the three Rs—Reduce, backpack. Before going to bed, I’ll pull culture if I grow food in my own Reuse, Recycle—in that order of impor- the plugs or turn off the power strip on organic garden? tance. Begin by making small changes. Ask all electronic appliances, because they yourself: Will I start recycling? Compost- use electricity even when they’re not in Leah: Organic gardening addresses ing? Carpooling? Riding my bike more? use. I’ll put a bucket in the shower and food production, which is only part of Growing herbs? You’ll be amazed at how use the saved water to water my plants. the whole. Permaculture takes into small changes can start a domino effect. And when the time comes to renovate account the entire “ecological footprint” my house, office, or synagogue, I’ll use of the food cycle—tracing it along its Alex: Rabbi Hillel’s adage, “If I am the healthiest, most environmentally path from production to consumption— not for myself, who am I? If I am only for friendly materials I can find to conserve where the initial inputs (seeds, fertiliz- myself, what am I? And if not now, energy. ers, soil amendments, water) come from, when?” perfectly applies to our choices where it’s produced, how it gets to the as consumers: Given the magnitude of the consumer, and what happens to any “If I am not for myself….”: I am enti- world’s environmental ills, it may waste along the way. tled to take my share in this world. seem to many that what’s being “If I am only for myself….”: If I take proposed here is but a “drop in What permaculture gardening more than my share, I am out of balance the bucket”—hardly worth the practices do you recommend? with what the world can give. trouble. “And if not now, when?”: I will start Leah: In permaculture we talk about now, because my every action affects Alex: From a permaculture perspective, reducing waste by making sure that every someone else. Maybe I can afford to leave we each need to take one step at a time single component in a system serves at the lights on, but that means I’m telling with no preconditions as to the final out- the electric company to burn more coal, come. From a Jewish perspective, Rabbi pollute more air, and harm more people Tarfon addressed the concern regarding “According to the and animals. Here in Israel, 1,600 people confronting a seemingly insurmountable die each year from industrial, electrical, challenge when he said: “It’s not up to Caring for the and vehicle exhaust-related air pollution. you to complete the task, but neither are So, the next time I shop, I won’t take you free to desist from it.” least three different purposes. So, for example, if you join with others in grow- ing fruits, vegetables, and herbs, the three benefits might be: 1) increasing aware- Courses in Creative Ecology ness of what produce looks and tastes like Kibbutz Lotan’s Center for Creative Ecology offers: straight from the earth; 2) discovering as a community the world beneath the 1 The Peace, Justice & the Environment Fall soil; and 3) experiencing the empowering Semester in Israel, a 16-credit college pro- feeling of planting a seed and later harvest- gram for 14 students, accredited through ing an ear of corn or a head of broccoli. U Mass Amherst, which teaches Social Jus- tice, Group Dynamics, Sustainable Agricul- ture and Design. What common gardening mistakes might we avoid? 2 The Green Apprenticeship Practical Ecology Training Program, an intensive seven- Leah: A common mistake is thinking week work/study permaculture experience: Students learn local food production, organ- that this adventure is not going to ic gardening, ecological design techniques, include a lot of hard work. Gardeners natural and alternative building, sustainable need to weed; to keep plants irrigated technologies, community design, and envi- (you can place natural mulch over the ronmental ethics while living in a unique Seminar participants Ariel (a soil, such as dried leaves or straw, which eco-neighborhood—a prototype model for Venezuelan-Israeli gardener) sustainable living. and Frederick (an agro-engi- among other things prevents the soil neer from Cameroon) produce from drying out); and to provide for their 3 Jewish Community and Practical Environ- sun-dried bricks. The same nutrition (you can mix in compost made mental Education Seminars specifically recipe the Children of Israel from discarded garden and kitchen designed for Reform congregational and used to make mud bricks while waste, which provides nutrients and youth group trips to Israel. in Egypt is applied today in For detailed information please visit the fabrication of carbon neu- improves soil texture). www.kibbutzlotan.com or www.rjisrael.org, tral walls, modern furniture, or email [email protected]. and pizza ovens. Alex: The biggest mistake is giving up
when you don’t succeed. Sometimes things THE KIBBUTZ LOTAN OF COURTESY PHOTOS ALL ECOLOGY FOR CREATIVE CENTER don’t work out. As Yom Kippur reminds keyboard got bent—so I did a web search, maintain it. The idea is to break old mod- us, what’s more Jewish than to make mis- discovered step-by-step instructions with els in favor of new, highly efficient prac- takes, reflect, and learn from them? photos on opening up the keyboard, and, tices; and to recognize the maintenance Ask yourself: What can I learn from following along, was able to bend the board schedules (i.e. every garden needs to be this? Who might be able to help? Some- back into place. It’s worth trying. weeded) to which you’re committing. where nearby there may be an elderly gen- Another option is asking for help. That Also, you need to check the practicality of tleman who grows tomatoes that his wife guy down the street who’s always tinker- your designs, asking such questions as: cans, and they’re much better teachers ing with his car—he’s probably got a What happens if the money runs out or than the back of the seed package or the machine shop full of tools and would be the rains come early? It is possible to plan gardening show on TV. Bake some cook- glad to come over and help you take apart a passive solar house and organic garden ies, go over, and ask them for pointers. your washing machine to unclog the pipe that looks good on paper, only to discover leading to the pump. Just don’t forget to upon completion that trees shade the win- How might we begin reducing bake some cookies as a thank you. dows needed to heat the house, the house consumption and waste? shades the garden, or both get too much Given the many “green” tech- sun. Using the permaculture process, Leah: A good starting point is compost- nologies available today, how many expensive fixes can be avoided. ing organic waste. On our kibbutz, 40% does one choose? If you’re about to begin a project—any- of our waste is organic and compostable, thing from turning a swampy backyard so we turn it into high-quality fertilizer. If, Alex: It’s best to make a “low carbon“ into a vegetable garden to renovating your instead, we allowed this waste to be choice which supports the natural topog- home or synagogue—I’d suggest you take decomposed in the landfill, it would give raphy, climate, and solar path, as well as a PDC (permaculture design course). Usu- off large quantities of methane, a signifi- the amount of human energy needed to ally a 2-week seminar or a series of weekly study sessions, PDCs are now taught prac- tically everywhere in the world, including Torah, our first job title was gardener. of course at Lotan’s Center for Creative Ecology (see sidebar). Students learn a earth is surely holy work, Jewish work.” large pool of technologies, some low tech continued on page 34 cant greenhouse gas. Next, reuse your resources. Avoid as many disposable items as possible—you can even buy plastic birthday party plates that can be washed. Pour used dishwater on the garden. Spend a little more to buy items that, if broken, can be repaired.
Alex: Reducing waste takes conscious effort. My kids tell me our computer is old. It is. It was overheating, so I replaced the fan. It was low on memory, so we added another hard drive. Eventually we will replace it, but only when it can no longer be repaired. Look in your trashcan. The trashcan is a great teacher, when you are willing to listen to it.
Repairing items isn’t easy if you’re not mechanical.
Alex: Pick up this great book: Dare to Repair: A Do-it-Herself Guide to Fixing (Almost) Anything in the Home by Julie Sussman. Look on the Internet—I’m always astounded by the number of people willing to freely share their expertise. Not long ago, my laptop fell off my bike and the Earthcare by truck bring trash bags to neighborhood we don’t use. Nature, on the other hand, continued from page 29 centers, where they’re exchanged for bus shares every atom, recycling it constantly. tickets and food, resulting in less city litter, and some quite advanced, as well as a less disease, less garbage dumped in rivers, Mark Naveh, General series of designing processes to map envi- and a better life for the poor. Children, Secretary, Kibbutz Lotan; ronmental constraints and resources. A too, can exchange recyclable garbage for member, international good PDC can empower a person to school supplies, chocolate, toys, and show Ecovillage education become her/his own contractor. You don’t tickets. Moreover, 70% of the city’s trash is curriculum board have to do all the work yourself—all you recycled by its own residents, and the city Community is both a value and a human need to know is what’s right for you. employs the homeless and recovering need. Unfortunately, the destruction of I’ve seen the process lead to unexpect- alcoholics in its garbage separation plant. traditional communities that occurred with edly sensible projects. In rural Germany, While not every city may be ready to the advent of the modern age has resulted in instead of building the water storage tank become a Curitiba, we can do more. We a whole range of social and environmen- that the fire department demanded, a can grow food in communal gardens, and tal problems. The traditional community community created a lovely large natural we need to plant more trees—the answer helped to create trust and a sense of belong- swimming pool with a small sandy beach to many global problems. Trees clean the ing, and fostered respect and responsibility to hold the water to be pumped in case of air, regulate air temperature, prevent soil amongst people and toward the environ- fire. On Lotan a wastewater treatment sys- erosion, offer food and shelter to wildlife. ment. When human beings are torn away tem irrigates a pasture for goats and has They give back a lot more than they take. from community, the result can be alien- become a resting spot for migratory birds. ation, ultimately even violence, toward Will saving the earth require other human beings and toward the earth. How can city dwellers practice mainstreaming the Lotan and Ecovillages—human-scale communi- permaculture? Curitiba models of communal ties that integrate a supportive social envi- cooperation? ronment with low-impact living and a Mike: Cities are the most exciting places strong spiritual dimension—attempt to where permaculture can have an effect. Alex: Let’s look at the larger picture. For rectify this situation. While different eco - There is an advantage to having many most of human history, we lived and villages follow diverse paths, all share the people in a small area, if everyone works shared resources within our tribe. In the understanding that spirituality is the together toward a common goal. You shtetl, the Jewish community offered a essential ingredient that gives us purpose, can begin with areas of agreement, such safety net to all. Why? Because every- and the glue that holds us together. True, as: Everyone in our city has a right to one knew everyone else and mutual the ecovillage model is currently outside clean air. If we all use cars in this small responsibility was a mitzvah for all. the mainstream, but communities on the area, it can cause a lot of pollution. Today, too, when you know your neigh- cutting edge of developing sustainable Then it’s about being creative, turning bors, sharing is possible. When my wife, social, economic, and ecological solutions problems into solutions. two children, and I lived in an apartment are having an ever-increasing impact the In some cities, the solutions are ingen- building in Rehovot, I didn’t need to buy a world over. Their ideas can be put into ious. For example, the Curitiba region in single tool because I made friends with practice anywhere people live. All it takes Brazil, which is home to 1.6 million people, Haim on the fourth floor who had them all. is goodwill and a little creativity. Commu- has become an international model for sus- I didn’t need a car either, because once a nity is the key. And, of course, the syna- tainable development, despite challenges week I got a ride to the supermarket with gogue as a spiritual community center has during the planning stages, in this case Karen or Yaron from the second floor. a vital role to play in this process. a military dictatorship and an economic There is so much unused wealth all crisis. There’s a rapid, cheap, all-bus tran- around us into which we can tap, so long Is there anything else you’d sit network running on bus-only avenues as we don’t think we have to own it all by recommend to our readers? that’s so efficient, auto traffic has dropped ourselves. We gorge our houses with stuff significantly, and Curitiba now registers the Alex: Go outside and find a place where country’s lowest rates of ambient pollution One-Stop Green Resource you feel comfortable. Make a list of what and per capita gas consumption. Curitiba The Union for makes you happy. Consider if there are also boasts 52 square meters of green space Reform enough resources on the planet to give you per person, up from fewer than one square Judaism’s and everyone else the same things on your meter in 1970; residents planted 1.5 mil- “Greening list. Then reassess your needs and goals. lion trees along city streets and builders Reform Judaism” And if you want someone to talk to, web portal www.urj.org/green received tax breaks for projects that includ- offers Jewish teachings on the envi- give us a call (011-972-54-979-9009) or ed green space. Recycling is integral to ronment, steps to reduce your car- send us an email (kibbutzlotan@gmail. city functioning. Through the “green bon footprint, educational program- com). It’s our avoda (all meanings of the exchange” employment program, low- ming, social action ideas, models of word intended) to help. In the spirit of “green synagogues,” and more. income families living in areas unreachable Rabbi Hillel: “Just do it, now.” ■ ECOLOGY FOR CREATIVE CENTER THE KIBBUTZ LOTAN OF COURTESY PHOTOS ALL