JNFGoNeutral GR EENTIMES From Jewish National Fund • Editor: Nina Woldin

READ WATCH LISTEN ACT SHARE Connect to and the Environment this Summer!

Global Warming: Not Cool by Barbara Lerman Golomb, Director of Community Relations, Hazon Click here to watch and listen: What Can I Do About Global Warming?

Pomelos for Peace by Ron Bernstein, Founder, Click here to watch: How to Peel A Pomelo

A Different Kind of Harvest by Colonel Sharon Davidovich, Director, JNF Parsons Water Fund Click here to listen: Voices of Peace Choir singing “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” at the Arab-Jewish Community Center, Jaffa, Israel

Choose Green by Nati Passow, Co-director, Jewish Farm School Click here to watch: Organic Cotton Candy

CLICK HERE FOR SPONSORS www.jnf.org Visit www.jnf.org/goneutral TO PLANT TREES IN ISRAEL, VISIT WWW.JNF.ORG • 1-800-542-TREE (8733)

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WHAT EXACTLY IS GLOBAL WARMING? climate. That's why global warming is more Carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases warm the accurately called global climate change. surface of the planet naturally by trapping the sun's The warming intensifies hurricanes and causes sea heat in the atmosphere.This “natural”greenhouse effect levels to rise through two main actions: the expansion is good because it keeps the earth about 60ºF warmer of sea water as the oceans warm, and the melting of than it would otherwise be, and it's what keeps our ice over land. For this reason many coastal areas are planet livable.However, too much of these experiencing flooding. Meanwhile drier climates are heat trapping gases in our facing drought. People living in these areas are atmosphere is a bad thing. being displaced, losing their land and their Burning fossil fuels (oil,natural gas and homes. People are suffering in other ways coal) to generate energy has dramatically as well. The warming affect is enabling the increased theamount of greenhouse gases, spread of infectious diseases such as and temperatures are rising. NASA reports malaria; the number of people affected by that in recent years we have been experiencing heat-related problems is rising; and the excess the warmest years on record. The Earth has of greenhouse gases is producing pollution heated by about one degree over the past leading to respiratory illnesses like asthma. You century. Greenhouse gas emissions are might be surprised to learn that air-pollution projected to increase average temperatures related health problems in Israel cause more by 2.5°-10.4°F during this century. deaths in a year than terrorism and traffic-related deaths combined. WHAT’S THE PROBLEM? With approximately 5% of the world's population, WHY IS GLOBAL WARMING the produces 25% of the greenhouse A JEWISH ISSUE? gases contributing to this warming. Our lifestyles and The majority of people being impacted most severely activities magnify the problem because of the excessive are those who can't help themselves: indigenous peoples, amount of energy we need to run our electricity; heat the poor, the sick, the elderly, and children. In Judaism and cool our homes, synagogues, schools, and we honor pikuach nefesh, the obligation of preserving institutions; and to fuel our cars. Since trees absorb life. Reducing our dependence on fossil fuels is the carbon dioxide, major deforestation, or the cutting right thing to do. Our Jewish tradition and down and loss of large areas of forest cover, is values teach us to be responsible contributing to the problem as well. The heating of caretakers of Creation, to pursue justice for all the Earth’s temperature is resulting in changes in our people, and to leave our awesome and miraculous world

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unharmed for future generations. We need to consider Here are some more things you can do: carpool, walk this when making choices about how to produce and or ride your bike and turn things off. Switch off the use energy. lights in unoccupied rooms and turn off electrical appliances like your computer when they aren't in use. WHAT ACTIONS CAN WE TAKE TO Don't forget to unplug your cell phone and iPod chargers when they're no HELP STOP GLOBAL WARMING? Reduce, reuse, recycle, take There are many ways we can conserve energy and longer charging. shorter showers, purchase reusable food containers, and stop contributing tothe problem of global warming. carry reusable bags. (Consider that the average family This concept is not new to Judaism. Bal tashchit, the accumulates 60 non-biodegradable, oil-based bags in prohibition against wasting, originally referred to the only four trips to the grocery store.) Carry reusable cutting down or needless destruction of fruit trees water bottles, eat local and organic foods, plant a tree, even in a time of war. From this law, the Rabbis came and write to legislators to let them know you care up with general ethics about conservation. They argued about this issue and you want them to enact bills that that if you weren't supposed to cut down fruit trees promote conservation and clean energy. Think of ways during the destructive time of war, then certainly during of integrating care for the environment into your Shab- times of peace, you shouldn't carelessly destroy natural bat ritual like having a “lo-watt Shabbat.” Try to live in resources. Even conserving energy is not a more sustainable way by reducing your carbon foot- new to Judaism. According to the Babylonian print. Global warming is an urgent and serious prob- Talmud,one who uses an oil lamp with a cover on it lem. We can sometimes feel overwhelmed by trying to consumes fuel wastefully (it burns faster) which is solve it. So, start simple, but start! It can be easy as against the bal tashchit prohibition. You can begin by changing a light bulb. taking various actions today to “green” your home, Each one of us can synagogue, and school. Create a healthier environment make a difference by the everyday in and outside of your building. Plan to have an energy choices and actions we take. professional conduct an energy audit to see what measures your institution can take to conserve. Some changes mayinclude installing Energy Star appliances, adjusting your thermostat and hot water heater, CLICK HERE TO WATCH AND LISTEN: choosing renewable energy such as solar and wind “WHAT CAN I DO ABOUT power, even putting a solar panel on the roof or GLOBAL WARMING?” installing a solar ner tamid (eternal light)!

Barbara Lerman-Golomb is the Director of Community Relations for Hazon which organizes outdoor physical challenges and food-related programs with the goal of creating a healthier and more sustainable Jewish community and world for all. She is the originator of the nationwide climate change campaign, “How Many Jews Does it Take to Change a Light Bulb?”Also known as Barbara WOW, she created WOW (Wonders of theWorld) experiential, environmental, and educational school and camp workshops. She is an author, scriptwriter, and former designer of a wide variety of materials for the leading publishing and edutainment companies. She serves on the Union for Reform Judaism’s Commission on Social Action and the Northeast Camp Commission. Several years ago she left a position at Nickelodeon and MTV to focus her efforts on education, community service, and social justice. She and her family continue to make lifestyle choices to reduce their carbon footprint.

www.jnf.org TO PLANT TREES IN ISRAEL, VISIT WWW.JNF.ORG • 1-800-542-TREE (8733) POMELOS FOR PEACE BY RON BERNSTEIN FOUNDER, KIBBUTZ YAHEL Ron Bernstein moved to Israel from Long Island, NY over 30 years ago. He lives on Kibbutz Yahel, which he helped found in 1977. His main profession is in agriculture, having worked at the Agricultural Experimental Station at Yotvata, and as Yahel’s citrus manager for the last 20 years. From 1999 to 2001 Ron served as a shaliach for Union for Reform Judaism’s Youth Division. Since returning from the US Mr. Bernstein has continued managing the citrus operation and has served as a shaliach for Jewish National Fund. Ron is married to Gila and they have three children, one who serves in the IDF and one who was adopted from China seven years ago. Ron told this true story to GreenTimes:

The following story happened because For the next twenty five years, members of Kibbutz Yahel of a citrus fruit. First, I need to give a little back- were farming in Jordan, and did so without objection from ground. I live on Kibbutz Yahel which is located in the the Jordanians, despite the fact that there was no peace southern Arava Desert, which runs along the Israel-Jordan treaty between the two countries. Then the situation changed border. A central feature of the Arava Valley is a dry riverbed. in the mid-1990s, when prospects of peace became a real The buildings of Kibbutz Yahel are located on the west side possibility. Underthe “land-for-peace” principle established of this dry riverbed, where the terrain is rocky; the kibbutz by the United Nations, Jordan presumably would agree to make agricultural fields are on the east side, where the soil is peace with Israel if Israel would be willing to give up land. sandy andnutrient-rich. This, of course, included the 1,000 or so acres on which we “What is not generally known is that this dry riverbed was al- had been farming for decades. We at Yahel, and the other ways considered the internationally-recognized border be- villages along the border with Jordan, were willing to tween Israel and Jordan. In other words, from the time the give back every inch of land, every kibbutz was established, in 1977, we technically pomelo, every date, everything that we had been doing some farming in Jordan. had been growing in exchange for the most important gift we could give our Before 1968, there was no fence separating Israel and Jor- children – peace with ourArab neighbors. dan in this region, but after the Six Day War in 1967 a small Since 1948, more than 20,000 men and women have been fence was installed to prevent the smuggling of weapons killed defending the State of Israel, many more wounded, and drugs from Jordan to the Sinai and back. The fence and many more killed in terrorist attacks. We would give was built east of the dry river bed in order to include future back this land to make peace with the Jordanians, because useable farmland. When Kibbutz Yahel was being founded, we understand that land and a source of income are this fence was moved overnight, even further eastward, to replaceable, but the lives of our children are irreplaceable. have 1,000 or so acres for farming, and for us to be able to live there. Through further negotiations, land was exchanged for peace, resulting in an official end-of-hostilities agreement between

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Israel and Jordan, signed on October 26,1994; and, fortu- The next day, he brought his family, and I brought mine, nately for Kibbutz Yahel, the new border fence was routed along with Chanukah chocolates and drinks. We all talked around to include the kibbutz’s fields as part of Israel, and and laughed, and he picked up my children, other land was given to Jordan in exchange. and I picked up his children – and, this, I can tell you, is real peace. Because peace is not The fence today that runs along the southern border between just the signing of a document by leaders on television, or a Israel and Jordan measures only three feet high, and is made handshake; peace is a meeting like this, and others like it up of a few strands of barbed wire. Our pomelo orchard between thousands of people each and everyday, to break happens to be located right next to this fence. One day a down the decades of hatred and mistrust and bloodshed that few years after Israel and Jordan made peace, my farming has been going on. And it happened that day, something was interrupted by a commotion nearby. At the fence, I saw that I will never, ever forget for the rest of my life. a knot of Israeli military vehicles and soldiers. I learned from the commanding officer that the patrol spotted a path of Since then I had to stop placing the box on the border due footprints from the Jordanian side into my orchard, around to security reasons. But the story does not end there. Three several pomelo trees, and back over the fence. I went to years ago I hosted a friend from the US at Yahel. We drove look at the footprints myself, and then went back to the patrol down to the orchard where I showed him how to peel and and said: ‘Look, if you’re patrolling one of the harshest eat a pomelo while telling him the story of my friend the environments on earth – 120 degrees Fahrenheit and 10 Jordanian governor. He asked that I show him where we percent relative humidity – and you happen to come across met. There, we spotted a group of trucks and men near the an oasis filled with some of the most luscious, aromatic border fence on the Jordanian side. When they saw us, they fruits you could imagine, saying ‘pick me, pick me,’ what

started yelling: ‘Pomelo,pomelo!’ And we got out of our would you do?’ Apparently, this is what happened: a Jeep, picked some pomelo and threw them over to the Jordanian patrol must have hopped over the fence, picked other side. The leader of their group came over to the fence some pomelo and went back over. So, I gave the Israeli and said to us – not in English, not in Arabic, officers some pomelo and asked them to forget about the but in Hebrew – ‘Thank you, my friend. whole incident, which is what they did. And, that’s my May G-d be with you, thank you very little contribution to peace in the Middle much.’ East. What is occurring down in the Southern Arava, is what the After this, I began placing a crate with 200 pounds of “ Middle East could and should be. pomelos in the corner of the orchard by the fence, which I refilled two or three times a week. With the fruit, I posted a Every day we read in the newspapers about what is occurring sign in Hebrew, Arabic and English: ‘These pomelos are for in Israel today and we feel that peace will never happen. Israeli and Jordanian patrols.’ We ask, ‘When will we Israelis finally be allowed to live in peaceful coexistence with our neighbors?’ They could benefit During Chanukah,1995, I had just refilled the crate when I incredibly from Israel's expertise in all walks of life, and spotted a white Mercedes sedan driving up to the fence more specifically from JNF's expertise. Just know from the Jordanian side. A man got out of the car, walked that there is hope and that with great up to the fence and asked for ‘Mr.Yahel.’ I struck up a efforts, understanding, dedication and conversation with the man, who turned out to be the Arava maybe sometimes a pomelo, peace – governor from Akaba, the Jordanian twin city of . We real peace – is possible. agreed to meet again the next day, and to bring our families. CLICK HERE TO WATCH: www.jnf.org HOW TO PEEL A POMELO TO PLANT TREES IN ISRAEL, VISIT WWW.JNF.ORG • 1-800-542-TREE (8733) A Different Kind of Harvest

Jewish National Fund has launched the Rainwater Harvesting program to provide students in Israel with the water they need and with education about the water crisis which affects their lives. Colonel Sharon Davidovich, a JNF shaliach from Israel, is the Director of the JNF Parsons Water Fund which was initiated to develop water sources for the people of Israel and their neighbors. The Rainwater Harvesting program is a project of the JNF Parsons Water Fund.

JNF Green Times sat down with Sharon to find out more:

GT: How did this project come about? schools implementing SD: Amir Yechieli, a teacher in , the program. One developed a system to use gray water* in school for example, schools. It’s now part of JNF’s long-term is the Mevo’ot plan to improve Israel’s water balance. HaNegev School, GT: What is the system? located on Kibbutz SD: The Rainwater Harvesting program is Shoval, with 500 both an interactive curriculum and a students. They water harvesting system. Rainwater is come from nearby kibbutzim and from the collected in short-term tanks, which are area’s cities including Be’er Sheva, Ofakim and set up around the grounds of a school, on Netivot. Bedouin students also attend the the roof and in the courtyard. During the Mevo’ot HaNegev School, and so do immigrant winter, it generally rains about every 8 to students from the former whose 10 days. The tanks are repeatedly filled parents have not yet made . and emptied throughout the rainy season, GT: How are the students involved? supplying up to 95% of the water the SD: Students are involved in the planning and school needs for toilet flushing, cleaning, management of the Rainwater Harvesting irrigation of plants within greenhouses system in their schools. Both the physical and indoor planters. During the summer, presence of the water system in the school, the system harvests water drained from and its incorporation into the curriculum drinking fountains and faucets which can (for example, into geography and science then be used for irrigating the plants on lessons) exposes students to the water school grounds. crisis and what they can personally do to GT: How many be part of the solution. schools are GT: What do you see as the future of this currently program? involved? SD: Using rainwater as a partial solution to SD: Right now, the millions of gallons lost in urban areas there are 10 will be a turning point in environmental continued www.jnf.org TO PLANT TREES IN ISRAEL, VISIT WWW.JNF.ORG • 1-800-542-TREE (8733)

awareness and water conservation. GT: What is the cost of the system? There is also great interest in SD: Schools spend thousands of dollars sharing this program with the on water each year, and such a project Jordanian and the Palestinian can significantly decrease their costs. Authority school systems. This will The expense of constructing the enable our Arab neighbors to save system, maintenance, and the water that is so crucial for their even education program costs $50,000 more water-stressed populations and over a five-year period. After 5 years to meet with their Israeli counterparts, of this funding, the school will be in order to compare results and able to continue this program inde- ideas. pendently, saving both money and water.

*Gray water is a term meaning recycled water and/or rainwater.

Click here to listen: Voices of Peace Choir singing “Somewhere over the Rainbow” at the Arab-Jewish Community Center, Jaffa, Israel

www.jnf.org TO PLANT TREES IN ISRAEL, VISIT WWW.JNF.ORG • 1-800-542-TREE (8733) √ Choose Green By Nati Passow, Co-Director, Jewish Farm School

On the rare occasion that I go to a distribute food all over the world. The organic apples large-scale supermarket, I find myself that are available in the supermarkets in Philadelphia overwhelmed by the abundance before where I live are shipped from California, thereby using my eyes. The sprinkler system kindly fossil fuel. Furthermore, many of the small-scale or- notifies me before it covers the lettuce ganic farms cannot obtain the organic label as they in a light mist, while the colors and lack the resources to navigate the bureaucratic shapes of the endless supply of produce provide the process of certification. In other words, organic is illusion of a never-ending growing season. Increasingly not always synonymous with sustainable. in these supermarkets we find organic fruits and vegetables, often labeled with a distinct orange sticker. So what exactly is sustainable agriculture and why is it important? Some of the basic principles of So, what exactly is organic food and why am I see- sustainable farming include composting food ing it all over the place? Generally speaking, the waste to turn what would otherwise go in a landfill term organic refers to food that is produced into a valuable, nutrient-rich fertilizer. Sustainable without the use of chemical fertilizers, or farmers often employ water saving and reusing pesticides or hormones when it comes to techniques such as rain barrels and natural animal products. Since 2002, the United States mulches. Another practice is to attract Department of Agriculture (USDA) has overseen the beneficial insects such as bees and National Organic Program (NOP), which provides ladybugs to the garden. Most importantly, organic certification for all sorts of food products. sustainable farmers tend to sell their Since then, the organic food market has produce locally. This cuts down on grown considerably as shoppers have the use of fossil fuels and establishes a become more aware of the potential connection between the grower and the social, environmental and health benefits consumer. of organic food production. For example, organically grown food prevents the Genetic diversity and climate specific chemicals found in conventional fertilizers varieties are also very important to sustainability as and pesticides from entering the soil and they help to create a more secure food system. groundwater. Organic growers are not Sustainable growers often save seeds from their best exposed to these chemicals, and the varieties and use them the following year. This allows food we eat was not treated with them. for varieties that are best suited for a specific climate and soil type, thereby becoming more resistant to However, making the food choice that is insects and disease and decreasing the need for best for you, the workers, and the planet is not pesticides. Furthermore, if one variety falls prey to so simple. With the growing demand for organic blight, there are others that we can choose from. Yet, food, many of the large food companies and that is less and less the case in industrial agriculture. industrial farms have begun their own organic lines. Did you know that there are over 5,000 varieties of Their farming practices, despite being organic, can potatoes, but only four are produced commercially? still be problematic as they destroy biodiversity and Industrial farms choose their varieties for qualities

www.jnf.org TO PLANT TREES IN ISRAEL, VISIT WWW.JNF.ORG • 1-800-542-TREE (8733) such as ability to withstand weeks in transit and heavy One reason I tend to avoid large-scale supermarkets farming machinery, not flavor, nutrition or natural is that the experience is so impersonal. I have no idea resistance to disease and pests. By supporting who grew the food, where it came from or anything local farmers we are able to encourage the growth of about the whole process. Fortunately, in my neigh- a wide variety of foods that are tastier borhood there is a wonderful farmers market all year. and healthier for the planet and Most of the farms are not certified organic, but by for us. meeting the growers, learning about their practices and seeing their commitment to the land, I believe When looking to find answers many of their techniques to be sustainable. Further- to the complicated questions around more, knowing who grows my food enriches my ex- food choices, our tradition has much to teach us. perience of eating. I can buy my produce directly Our ancestors who first settled in the land of Canaan from the person who grew it, so they earn more of were a nation of farmers. Many of our customs, the profits, and I am forced to eat more seasonally, laws and holidays have agricultural roots. greens in the early spring and late fall, all sorts of For example, the Torah instructs us to leave the corners veggies throughout the summer, and a more limited of our fields and the fallen harvests for the poor. This supply in the winter. teaches us that food should be used as a tool for social justice-that those with access to food should So when I head out to buy some food, I always try share their abundance with those in need. to make a choice that takes into account the bigger This is extremely relevant today as many poor picture. Where did this food come from? Who communities in the United States have little or no grew it and under what conditions? access to healthy food. Another important agricultural What resources were used in the concept from the Torah is that of the Shmitta growing, packaging and shipping (Sabbatical) year. Every seven years, Jewish farmers of this food? The sustainable living in the are commanded to cease food movement is growing, and from work and let the land rest. Additionally, all increasingly I can feel good about land during this year becomes public property, so the choices that are available. that anything that has grown on its own, such as fruit, nuts and berries are to be shared equally by the rich and the poor. There are many practical and philosophical lessons to be learned from the Shmitta year. From an agricultural perspective, focusing our diets on annual vegetables (such as tomatoes, Click here to watch: cucumbers, peppers and squash) is not a sustainable Organic Cotton Candy option, whether we grow organically or not. These crops require a lot of energy, water and resources, and over time, pull nutrients out of the soil. Sustainable farmers Nati Passow is a carpenter, writer and educator living in Philadelphia, regularly let sections of their land lay fallow to give the Pennsylvania. He is Co-Director of the Jewish Farm School. From 2005 The Shmitta year follows the to 2007 Nati ran an award-winning garden construction program for the soil a chance to recover. Urban Nutrition Initiative at University City High School. He currently leads same logic. Furthermore, there are many types of food service-learning trips in the developing world for American Jewish World that grow perennially (year after year) such as fruit, Service and in the US for Jewish Funds for Justice. Nati enjoyed two fall seasons at the Teva Learning center as an educator and School Programs nuts and berries. Observing the Shmitta year forces us Coordinator, and has continued to work for Teva as a curriculum writer. to include these in our diets, and they are crucial Nati has studied sustainable building design and natural building at the Institute for Social Ecology in Plainfield, Vermont and the Fox Maple ingredients to a sustainable food system. School of Traditional Building in Brownfield, Maine and holds a B.A. in Religion and Environmental Studies from the University of Pennsylvania. www.jnf.org JNFGoNeutral SPONSORS AN ENVIRONMENTAL MOVEMENT FOR TOMORROW PLEASE CLICK ON LOGO FOR INFORMATION

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