CSI Green Team

According to the Torah, we are commanded to “let the land rest a Shabbat to Hashem.” What the Sabbath does for humans and animals, the sabbatical year does for the land. The earth too is entitled to its periodic rest. Letting the earth rest is an act of humility, respect, devotion, and gratitude. To be a good steward of the earth is to exemplify being a good Jew. Honor these Jewish values of Tikkun Olam and repair the world from further floods, fires, and droughts.

If you have questions or if you're ready to join the Shearith Green Team simply contact Joanna Kobylivker (jkobylivker@gmail.com) or complete the form below.

Jewish Youth Climate Movement

Shearith Israel’s commitment to sustainability includes leadership from our youth. In the fall of 2021, a group of teens established a Kvutzah (chapter) of Hazon’s recently launched Jewish Youth Climate Movement (JYCM). The JYCM is dedicated to combating climate change and environmental injustice from a Jewish lens by empowering the next generation of Jewish youth to be leaders in our fight to build a sustainable and equitable world for all. 

The Shearith Kvutzah wanted to bring greater awareness to the threat facing Georgia’s beautiful and sacred Okefenokee Swamp. Here is their video sharing the facts and calling on Georgians to take action. 

Shearith Israel is also in the network of congregations within Georgia Interfaith Power and Light (GIPL). GIPL guides congregations towards a path of environmental stewardship and sustainability through various climate solutions and action steps. Shearith formed an official Green Team with GIPL in 2021 and is working towards improved sustainability for our facility. GIPL’s dedicated Community Organizer for the Jewish community serves as the coach for Shearith’s Green Team. Members of the Green Team are also part of the Jewish Climate Action Network of Georgia (JCAN GA) where they can network with other members of the Jewish community passionate about the call for environmental stewardship from a Jewish perspective. 

Shearith Israel teens are creating a pollinator garden on our campus! Our kvutzah and USY chapter hosted the pollinator garden kick off work day this fall to learn more about the incredible role of pollinators. Jewish beekeeper and gardener extraordinaire Amy Price facilitated the lesson and also guided the teens in their selection of what plants to keep and what to trim in the current garden space. The group decided on a design plan which included the planting of a fig and pomegranate tree.   

After a giant mulch delivery, there was much more work to be done to carefully prune and clear space for the pollinator plants. Two additional work days were required to dramatically transform the garden, and now the garden is resting until early Spring - the prime time for planting. 

Amy is seen here in this video teaching about the wondrous - and delicious! - plants that are growing in our backyard and the incredible value they provide. You can see the teens hard at work in the background. Read more about it at STORIES@CSI and check out the video above. Stay tuned for the garden commemoration for Tu B’Shvat!

CSI Green Team Interest Form